How to Make a Multiplayer Server on Minecraft: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to play Minecraft with your friends? Setting up your own multiplayer server is the perfect way to create your customized world and adventure together. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about How To Make A Server Multiplayer On Minecraft, from basic setups to more advanced modded experiences. Whether you’re looking to create a simple survival server or a fully customized creative world, we’ve got you covered.

Setting Up a Basic Minecraft Server (Vanilla)
Creating a Creative Minecraft Server
Setting Up a Modded Minecraft Server
- Using Bukkit/Spigot/Paper for Modded Servers
- Vanilla Minecraft Server Modding
Optimizing Your Minecraft Server for Performance
Quick Setup Guide for Minecraft Multiplayer Servers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Minecraft Servers

1. Setting Up a Basic Minecraft Server (Vanilla)

This section will guide you on how to make a server multiplayer on minecraft using the official Vanilla Minecraft server software. This is the simplest method to get a server running and is perfect for survival multiplayer (SMP).

Step 1: Create a Server Folder

The first step in creating your Minecraft server is to organize your files. Create a new folder on your computer specifically for your server. You can name it anything you like, such as “Minecraft Server” or “My Minecraft World”. Choose a location that is easy for you to access, like your Documents folder or Desktop.

Step 2: Download the Minecraft Server Software

Next, you need to download the official Minecraft server software from the Minecraft website. Go to the official Minecraft download page and look for the link to download the minecraft_server.jar file. Place this downloaded .jar file directly into the server folder you created in Step 1.

Step 3: Run the Server for the First Time

To initialize your server and generate the necessary configuration files, double-click the minecraft_server.jar file. This will launch a command prompt window and begin the server setup process.

Initially, you might see error messages in the command prompt – this is normal. Let the server run until it stops and says “Press any key to continue…”. Then, close the command prompt window. Running the server for the first time generates essential files like server.properties, world folder, and more.

Step 4: Configure server.properties

Now, navigate back to your server folder. You should see a new file named server.properties. Open this file with a text editor like Notepad. This file contains various server settings that you can customize.

Key settings to configure in server.properties include:

level-name: The name of your world folder. Default is “world”.
server-port: The port your server will run on. The default port 25565 is usually fine.
max-players: The maximum number of players allowed on your server.
online-mode: Set to true for only premium Minecraft accounts to join, false to allow cracked accounts (not recommended for security reasons).
gamemode: Set to 0 for Survival, 1 for Creative, 2 for Adventure, 3 for Spectator.
server-ip: Leave this blank unless you have a static IP and know what you’re doing.
allow-flight: Set to true to allow flying in Survival mode (usually false).
motd: The message that will appear under your server name in the Minecraft server list.

Important: If you want friends outside your local network to join, you’ll need to configure port forwarding on your router. Forward port 25565 (or your custom server-port) to the local IP address of the computer running the server.

Step 5: Run Your Server Again

After configuring server.properties, double-click minecraft_server.jar again to start your server. This time, it should run without errors and be ready for players to join.

Step 6: Connect to Your Server

To join your server, launch Minecraft and go to “Multiplayer”. Click “Add Server” and enter the following:

Server Name: Give your server a name.
Server Address:
- If you are on the same network as the server, use localhost or your computer’s local IP address (find this using ipconfig in command prompt).
- If you are connecting from outside the server’s network, use the server’s public IP address (WAN IP). You can find your WAN IP by searching “what is my IP” on Google.

Click “Join Server”, and you should be able to enter your newly created Minecraft multiplayer world! Share your public IP address with friends to let them join the adventure.

2. Creating a Creative Minecraft Server

If you want to focus on building and creativity without survival challenges, setting up a Creative server is straightforward. Follow the Vanilla server setup steps above, and ensure you make these adjustments in your server.properties file:

gamemode=1: Sets the default game mode to Creative.
allow-flight=true: Ensures players can fly in Creative mode.
Consider setting spawn-protection=0: This disables spawn protection, allowing building right at the spawn point.

By making these changes, your server will launch in Creative mode, giving players immediate access to unlimited resources and flight. This is ideal for collaborative building projects and unleashing your imagination.

3. Setting Up a Modded Minecraft Server

For players seeking enhanced gameplay with mods, setting up a modded server opens up a world of possibilities. There are different approaches to how to make a server multiplayer on minecraft modded experience. We’ll cover two popular methods: using server platforms like Paper/Spigot and vanilla server modding.

Using Bukkit/Spigot/Paper for Modded Servers

Bukkit, Spigot, and Paper are enhanced Minecraft server platforms that allow for plugins and mods, offering significant performance improvements and customization options over Vanilla. Paper is generally recommended as it’s the most optimized.

Step 1: Download Paper (or Spigot/Bukkit)

Go to the official PaperMC website and download the latest Paper .jar file for your Minecraft version. Place this .jar file in your server folder.

Step 2: Run Paper for the First Time

Run the Paper .jar file just like you did with the Vanilla server. This will generate the necessary files for a Paper server, including a plugins folder.

Step 3: Install Plugins

Plugins are server-side modifications that add features like world management, economy, permissions, and more. Download plugins ( .jar files) from reliable sources like SpigotMC or BukkitDev and place them in the plugins folder in your server directory.

Step 4: Start Your Paper Server

Run the Paper .jar file again. Paper will load the installed plugins, and your server will now have the added functionalities. Configure plugins by editing their respective configuration files, usually found in the plugins folder after the first server run.

Step 5: Mods (Client-Side vs. Server-Side)

It’s crucial to understand the difference between plugins and mods in this context. Bukkit/Spigot/Paper primarily support plugins which are server-side. For mods that change game mechanics and require client-side installation (like adding new blocks, items, or creatures), you’ll need to use platforms like Forge (discussed later or for single-player modding).

Benefits of Paper/Spigot/Bukkit:

Performance: Optimized server performance compared to Vanilla.
Plugins: Extensive plugin ecosystem for customization.
Management Tools: Enhanced server management and administration commands.

Vanilla Minecraft Server Modding (Direct .jar Edit)

While less common and more limited, you can directly modify the minecraft_server.jar file to add certain server-side mods. This method is generally not recommended for extensive modding due to complexity and potential instability. Platforms like Paper and Forge offer much better modding support.

Step 1: Prepare Vanilla Server Files

Follow steps 1-3 of the basic Vanilla server setup to get your minecraft_server.jar and initial server files.

Step 2: Obtain Server-Side Mods

Find mods specifically designed for server-side installation and compatible with your Minecraft version. Ensure they are meant for direct .jar modification.

Step 3: Modify minecraft_server.jar

Make a backup copy of your minecraft_server.jar file.
Open the original minecraft_server.jar file using an archive program like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
Drag and drop the files from your server-side mod into the .jar archive. Usually, this involves copying .class files and resource files. Do not delete the META-INF folder in server modding.
Close the archive program.

Step 4: Run Your Modded Vanilla Server

Start your server by running the modified minecraft_server.jar. If the mod is correctly installed and compatible, your server will launch with the modded features.

Limitations of Vanilla .jar Modding:

Complexity: Requires careful file manipulation and can be error-prone.
Limited Mod Support: Fewer mods are designed for direct .jar server modification.
Maintenance: Updating mods and Minecraft versions can be challenging.

Recommendation: For most modded server setups, especially those wanting extensive mods or plugins, using Paper, Spigot, or Forge (for more complex mods) is highly recommended over direct Vanilla .jar editing.

4. Optimizing Your Minecraft Server for Performance

Server optimization is crucial for a smooth multiplayer experience, especially with more players or mods. Here are key optimization tips:

Allocate Sufficient RAM: Ensure your server has enough RAM allocated. For a small server, 1-2GB might suffice, but for larger servers or modded servers, consider 4GB or more. You can adjust RAM allocation in your server start script (e.g., .bat file).

Example .bat script for better performance (adjust -Xmx and -Xms for RAM):
```
java -Xmx2G -Xms2G -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
```
This script allocates 2GB of RAM to the server. Change minecraft_server.jar to your server .jar file name if using Paper or Spigot.
Use Optimized Server Software: As mentioned, PaperMC is significantly more optimized than Vanilla Minecraft server software and even Spigot, leading to better performance, especially under load.
Optimize server.properties:
- view-distance: Reduce view distance to 6 or lower to decrease server load.
- max-tick-time: Keep this at the default value, but monitor if your server is exceeding tick time.
- spawn-animals, spawn-monsters, spawn-npcs: If performance is a major issue, consider reducing or disabling these, especially on large servers.
Regular Server Restarts: Restart your server periodically (e.g., daily) to clear memory leaks and ensure optimal performance.
Monitor Server Performance: Use server commands (e.g., /tps in Paper) or plugins to monitor TPS (Ticks Per Second) and server lag. Address issues as they arise.

By implementing these optimization strategies, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable multiplayer experience on your Minecraft server.

5. Quick Setup Guide for Minecraft Multiplayer Servers

For those who prefer a concise guide, here’s a quick setup for different server types. Refer to the detailed sections above if you need more explanation.

Vanilla Survival Server:

Create server folder.
Download minecraft_server.jar into the folder.
Run minecraft_server.jar once, then close.
Configure server.properties.
Run minecraft_server.jar again. Server ready.

Vanilla Creative Server:

Follow Vanilla Survival steps.
In server.properties, set gamemode=1 and allow-flight=true.
Server ready in Creative mode.

Paper/Spigot/Bukkit Plugin Server:

Create server folder.
Download Paper/Spigot/Bukkit .jar into the folder.
Run the .jar once, then close.
Place plugins in the plugins folder.
Configure server.properties and plugin configs.
Run the Paper/Spigot/Bukkit .jar. Server ready with plugins.

Modded Vanilla Server (.jar Edit):

Follow Vanilla Survival steps 1-3.
Backup minecraft_server.jar.
Open minecraft_server.jar with archive program and add server-side mod files.
Run modified minecraft_server.jar. Server ready with mods (if compatible).

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Minecraft Servers

Having trouble? Check these frequently asked questions for solutions:

Q: “Java is not recognized…” error when starting server.

A: Java is likely not installed or not correctly added to your system’s PATH. Download and install the latest Java version from the official Java website.

Q: How do I find my LAN and WAN IP addresses?

LAN IP: Open Command Prompt (cmd) and type ipconfig. Look for “IPv4 Address” under your network adapter.
WAN IP: Search “what is my IP” on Google, or use websites like wanip.info.

Q: What are 32-bit and 64-bit systems, and which Java should I use?

A: This refers to your operating system architecture. For modern systems, you likely have a 64-bit OS. To check:

Windows: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System. Look for “System type”.
Use the 64-bit Java version for 64-bit systems, and 32-bit Java for 32-bit systems. Using the correct version is important for performance.

Q: My server stopped working after a Minecraft update!

A: Server software and mods need to be updated to match the new Minecraft version. Wait for updates to Paper/Spigot/Forge and your plugins/mods. For Vanilla, download the new minecraft_server.jar for the updated version.

Q: How do I port forward?

A: Port forwarding is router-specific. Generally, access your router’s settings (usually via a web browser at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), find the port forwarding section, and create a new rule forwarding port 25565 (or your custom server port) TCP/UDP to your server computer’s LAN IP address. Consult your router’s manual or online guides for specific steps.

This comprehensive guide should equip you with the knowledge to make a server multiplayer on minecraft. Whether you choose a simple Vanilla server or delve into the world of modding and plugins, setting up your own Minecraft server is a rewarding experience, allowing you and your friends to create unforgettable adventures together. Visit rental-server.net for more advanced server hosting solutions and options to take your Minecraft multiplayer experience to the next level!