How to make a Minecraft server
Minecraft servers are the best way to enjoy the sandbox title with your friends and other players. If you’re a fan of the multiplayer experience, check out this guide on how to make a Minecraft server by creating a batch file and port forwarding.
Minecraft’s single-player experience that encourages players to explore the massive open world and take on the Wither and the Ender Dragon has been a huge success for several years. However, there are many features that you can fully enjoy only in multiplayer servers.
Participating in Minecraft servers is a common practice but making your own server and hosting it for others is an entirely different feeling. You can invite your friends to a world that is uniquely yours and take on different challenges together with custom settings.
On that note, let’s learn how to create a Minecraft server.
Steps to create a Minecraft Java Edition server
From installing Java SDK to Port Forwarding, there are several steps involved in making a Minecraft server:
1. Install Java SDK to create your Minecraft server
The first step toward creating your Minecraft server is to download Java SDK. From this website, you can download Java SDK for Linux, macOS, or Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions and install the latest version on your device.
2. Download the Minecraft server files
Head to minecraft.net and download the latest file for the Minecraft server and install it in a specific folder that is easy to access.
3. Create a batch file
To run your Minecraft server properly, create a new .txt file in the device folder where you’ve placed the server files. Now, head back to the downloading site and copy the command which should look something like this:
Paste the command in the .txt file you just created. The Xmx values decide the amount of RAM a device will dedicate to run your server and the .jar command is the name of your server.
- Read More: 10 best Minecraft texture packs
The default command expects your server to consume 1 GB RAM which is fairly low. To start things off, we recommend changing the values to 2048 (2 GB RAM). As more people join your server, you can increase this value.
Hence, the command in the .txt file should look like this:
Next up, change the name of the server.jar file to the name mentioned in the command you’ve copied. In this case, you can rename server.jar to minecraft_server.1.19.3.jar.
Now, you can save the .txt file with the updated RAM values. Just make sure that while saving, you go to Save as Type and select All Files. This is to save the text file as a batch file.
4. EULA agreement
Your Minecraft server (.jar file in the server) will fail to load if you haven’t agreed to EULA (End-User License Agreement). To accept it, follow these steps:
- Visit the Minecraft Server folder on your device.
- Open the newly created eula.txt file and change eula=false to eula=true.
- Save the file and run the batch file again.
By following these steps, you’ll finally have a working Minecraft server. However, it’s still not ready for you to have the best experience as there are some server settings that need attention.
5. Minecraft server settings
Head to your Minecraft server folder and open the server.properties file with Notepad. Here, you’ll be able to configure a ton of server settings. For the convenience of beginners, we’ll only talk about the most important things you need to adjust:
- Gamemode – Choose between Survival, Creative, Hardcore, and Spectator.
- Server-ip – Important if you’re running more than one Minecraft server on your device.
- Server-port – The default setting reads Port 25565. You need to perform Port Forwarding to use this port.
- Spawn protection decides the server spawn area that cannot be broken.
- allow-nether setting lets you add/remove the nether from your server.
- Difficulty – Select from peaceful, easy, normal, or hard.
- pvp – Allow/disallow players from hurting each other.
- max-players – Select the maximum number of players who can join your server. Do note that this should be changed according to the RAM you’ve assigned to your server.
- level-seed – You can choose a custom seed to start your Minecraft server world.
- motd – Choose the message other players will receive upon adding your IP.
6. Port Forwarding
The Server-port setting in the server.properties file of your Minecraft server folder is essential for its functionality. In your router settings, you need to enter Port 25565 and forward it. The procedure to do this varies for different routers and you can contact your router agency for the same.
- Read More: What is a Minecraft SMP
The goal is to set a dedicated IP address and here’s how to do so on a local router:
- Go to https://www.whatismyip.com/ and note down your public IPV4 that contains numbers and three decimals.
- Hand out the public IPV4 to your friends and they can join your server by typing your IP address followed by: 25565 in the IP section of the server menu. If you’ve changed the port value from 25565, players have to type it after your IP address.
- Do not give your public IP address to people you do not trust as it can lead to a wide range of security risks. For your safety, avoid revealing the IP address publicly.
- Go to your Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. From the panel on the left, go to Inbound Rule > New Rule.
- Choose Port > TCP. In the specified local ports section, type 25565/the custom value you’ve decided. Click next and Finish the procedure by naming your server.
There you go! This was everything you need to know about setting up Minecraft servers that you and your friends can play in.
For more Minecraft content, you can check out our guides on how to beat Minecraft, the best Minecraft seeds, how to get a cape, and how to make a spyglass.
Image Credits: Mojang
