A Step by Step Guide to Making the Perfect Minecraft Server

8-Jan-2023

It's one thing to play Minecraft by yourself, but it's a million times more fun to do it with friends. Many players choose to join servers and other communities that allow them to share their passions for survival, building, or custom games that pit rivals against each other like bed wars.

Mojang is so open to its game, it's a delight to learn that players can also create their own server. There are three options available, each one suited to different types of players and their unique needs. Here are the steps to get started with your own server if you're using Windows Java Edition. Remember that players on the same LAN do not have to create a server. They just need to open a survival realm to LAN in-game.

10/10 Option 1 : Use a Hosting Service

Many players will choose to have a third party site host the server. This is the most obvious option. There are many sites and services that offer hosting, with most offering a monthly or annual subscription. It is rare to find a service that will offer this service for free. Players who can afford it are in the best position.

This hosting is better than Minecraft's own service, Realms. It allows for more customization of the server. The site handles many of the more complex server configurations. Mods and plugins are easy to install without worrying about making mistakes.

9/10 Option2: Subscribe to Realms

If all of this sounds like gibberish, and you want to get your server up and running quickly without worrying too much about it, then subscribe to Minecraft Realms. It's easy to do in Mojang's launcher, and Mojang basically takes care of everything.

Mojang's hosting has its limitations in terms of speed and quality. Mods and plugins can be difficult to add if the player doesn't know what they are doing. The admin does not have to deal with any kind of coding or connection setups and it is safe and low-risk.

8/10 Option 3 - Self-Hosting

Self-hosting a Minecraft server is the best and most cost-effective way to host it. The problem with this is that it requires that the server be hosted on a computer that is always online and is powerful enough to handle the entire process. It won't work if you just throw it at any PC.

Self-hosting poses a security risk because players must modify their network settings. The upside is that admins can customize servers by adding plugins and mods.

7/10 Step 2: Consider the Requirements

Before you start the journey of self-hosting your Minecraft server, make sure to consider these requirements. The server must be hosted on a computer that is always online. A server that isn't online 24/7 will prevent players from accessing it.

Second, the admin should be able to handle minor coding and tweak their networking settings. This is especially important if a player plans to host their server on the same computer as their game.

6/10: Step 2: Install and Update Java

Now that you have established the requirements, it is time to ensure that Java Runtime Environment has been properly installed on the computer in question. This is usually the case for players who have been playing Minecraft a while, but it is important to make sure that the latest version of Java Runtime Environment is installed.

To find the latest Java version, visit the Java website. You can also check the JRE on your PC for any updates. Usually, the software will notify players of any updates that are awaiting approval. This should make it easy to see them in the hidden icon section on the task bar.

5/10 Step 3 - Download the Minecraft Server Files

Once Java is installed and up-to-date, you can head over to Minecraft's official website and access the downloads. Anyone should be able to download the Minecraft: Java Edition server files for free. You should download the most recent.jar file from the site. This will install the skeleton of servers.

This page also contains tips for running the server. Keep this page open so you have them handy when you launch the server. After the download is complete, choose a location to save the file and then copy the.jar file to that location.

4/10: Step 4: Start The Minecraft Server File

Click on the.jar file to begin the installation process for the actual server. This will take only a moment. This will also install a lot of files at the location selected for the.jar file. It includes an important file called server.properties. (we'll get to that next).

For future reference and tweaking, make sure that the files are easily found. Click on the EULA file and tick it as true before you do anything else. Otherwise, the server will not launch properly. This is crucial.

3/10: Step 5: Configure the Server Files

Next, configure the server and decide what it should be. The server.properties file allows admins to customize almost every aspect of the world to suit their needs and those of other players. Here you can easily change things like seed, pvp settings and game mode.

The Minecraft wiki has a complete list of customization options. Everything will be the same as in any default Minecraft world when the file is opened for the first time. Use Notepad or another text editor that doesn't apply formatting to your text to edit the file.

2/10 - Step 6: Port Forwarding

Now comes the hard part. This step is unnecessary if the server's players use the same network as the administrator. In all other cases, however, the admin will need to open a port so that other players can connect their router and eventually their server. This is a risky move, so be cautious.

To set this up, the administrator must access the router's administrative settings page. This will depend on the router. For more information on how it works and looks, please visit this site.

1/10 Final Step - Launch Server

Now it's time for the server to be launched. To launch the server for the first time, open Windows Command Prompt. Find the original.jar file and type this command: "java-Xmx1024M-Xms1024M-jar FILENAME Nogui".

"FILENAME" must be replaced with the actual name for the server file. This will launch the server and allow it to run properly. If you want to invite other players to join the LAN, give them a public IP address so they can connect directly to the server. Make sure firewalls are not blocking connections if there is a problem.