Minecraft

Set up your Minecraft server: Server types, RAM recommendations, server.properties, plugins and mod installation guide.

Minecraft Server

Minecraft is one of the most popular games to host, and RespawnHost makes it easy to run your own server with full control over settings, mods, and plugins.

Server Types

When creating a Minecraft server, you can choose between several server software options:

  • Vanilla — The official Minecraft server software from Mojang. No mod support, but guaranteed compatibility.
  • Paper — A high-performance fork of Spigot with additional optimizations. Supports Bukkit and Spigot plugins. Recommended for most servers.
  • Forge — Required for running Forge mods. Choose this if you want modded gameplay with mods like Create, Botania, or modpacks from CurseForge.
  • Fabric — A lightweight, modern mod loader. Popular for performance mods like Sodium and Lithium.

RAM Recommendations

Minecraft server RAM requirements depend heavily on your setup:

SetupRecommended RAM
Vanilla, 1-5 players2 GB
Vanilla, 5-15 players4 GB
Paper with plugins, 10-20 players4-6 GB
Forge/Fabric with mods, 5-10 players6-8 GB
Heavy modpack (100+ mods)8-12 GB

Configuring server.properties

The server.properties file controls core server settings. You can edit it in two ways:

  • Via the panel — Navigate to Configuration in your server dashboard. All settings are clearly explained and can be adjusted without technical knowledge.
  • Manually — Directly via the file manager or SFTP in your server’s root directory.

Key settings:

server-port=25565
max-players=20
difficulty=normal
gamemode=survival
view-distance=10
motd=A RespawnHost Minecraft Server
online-mode=true

After editing server.properties, restart the server for changes to take effect.

Installing Plugins (Paper/Spigot)

Plugins must be manually installed — there is no one-click installer for plugins:

  1. Download the plugin .jar file from a trusted source (Modrinth, Hangar, or SpigotMC)
  2. Upload it to the /plugins folder using the file manager or SFTP
  3. Restart the server
  4. Configuration files for the plugin will appear in /plugins/PluginName/

Installing Mods and Modpacks (Forge/Fabric)

Modpacks can be installed with our One-Click Installer directly in the panel — no manual downloads or file uploads needed. Navigate to the Modpacks tab and choose from hundreds of modpacks.

Individual mods can be installed via our Marketplace in the panel with one click. Alternatively, upload them manually to the /mods folder.

Troubleshooting

  • Server crashes on startup — Check the console for error messages. Common causes are incompatible mods, insufficient RAM, or a corrupted world.
  • Players cannot connect — Verify that online-mode matches your setup (set to false only for offline/cracked servers) and that the correct port is open.
  • Poor performance — Reduce view-distance, remove unnecessary mods, or upgrade your server’s RAM.

Further Reading

Explore these detailed guides for your Minecraft server: