Minecraft is one of the most popular games in the world, with millions of players exploring, building, and fighting in its blocky sandbox.
But what if you want to play with your friends on your own private server?
In this article, we will show you how to host a Minecraft server on your own computer or on a dedicated server hosting service.
What are Minecraft server commands?
Before we start, you should know some basic Minecraft server commands that will help you manage your server.
These are commands that you can type in the chat window or in the console to perform various actions, such as changing the game mode, teleporting players, banning or kicking players, and more.
You can find a list of all the commands on the Minecraft Wiki, or use the /help command in the game to see the available commands.
How to Install Mods on a Minecraft Server
One of the best things about Minecraft is the ability to customize it with mods, which are add-ons that change the game in various ways.
Mods can add new items, blocks, mobs, biomes, dimensions, and more.
To install mods on a Minecraft server, you will need to use a special server software called Forge, which allows you to run mods on both the server and the client.
Here are the steps to install mods on a Minecraft server:
- Make sure that your server is set to Forge under the jar dropdown.
- Stop the server.
- To the left of the game panel, click on FTP File Access and go into the mods folder.
- Click on “Upload” then simply drag in the mods you have previously downloaded.
- Once they are uploaded, head back to the Game Panel and start the server.
Note that you will also need to install the same mods on your client, otherwise, you will not be able to join the server.
You can use a launcher like CurseForge or MultiMC to easily manage your mods and profiles.
How to Start Your Own Minecraft Server for Multiplayer Gaming
If you want to host a Minecraft server on your own computer, you will need to download the Minecraft server software from the official website.
You will also need to have a Java runtime environment installed on your computer, which you can get from here.
Here are the steps to start your own Minecraft server for multiplayer gaming:
- Download the Minecraft server software and save it in a folder on your computer.
- Run the server software by double-clicking on it. This will create some files and folders in the same folder, including a file called server.properties, which you can edit to change various settings for your server.
- Agree to the EULA by opening the eula.txt file and changing eula=false to eula=true.
- Run the server software again to start the server. You should see some messages in the console indicating that the server is running.
- To join the server, open Minecraft and click on Multiplayer. Then click on Add Server and enter the IP address of your computer, which you can find by typing ipconfig in the command prompt. You can also use localhost as the IP address if you are playing on the same computer as the server.
- Click on Done and then join the server.
Note that if you want other players to join your server over the internet, you will need to port forward your router to allow incoming connections to your server.
You can find instructions on how to port forward your router here.
How to Choose the Best Minecraft Server Hosting Service
If you don’t want to host a Minecraft server on your own computer, you can use a dedicated server hosting service that will provide you with a server that is optimized for Minecraft.
There are many server hosting services available, but you should consider some factors before choosing one, such as:
- The price and features of the hosting plan. You should compare the prices and features of different hosting plans, such as the amount of RAM, CPU, storage, bandwidth, and slots that they offer. You should also check if they offer any discounts or promotions for longer subscriptions.
- The location and performance of the server. You should choose a server hosting service that has servers in a location that is close to you and your players, to reduce lag and latency. You should also check the performance and uptime of the server, and see if they offer any guarantees or refunds for downtime or poor service.
- The customer support and reviews of the service. You should choose a server hosting service that has a good reputation and offers reliable and responsive customer support. You should also read the reviews and feedback of other customers who have used the service, and see if they are satisfied or not.
One of the best server hosting services that we recommend is IONOS, which offers Minecraft server hosting at 20 locations worldwide, with:
- automatic modpack installation
- DDoS protection
- free dedicated server IP
- 2+ years of backups
You can choose from three different Minecraft options, depending on the number of players and the performance you need.
Conclusion
Hosting a Minecraft server can be a fun and rewarding experience, as you can play with your friends and create your own custom world.
However, you will need to know how to host a Minecraft server, how to install mods on a Minecraft server, how to start your own Minecraft server for multiplayer gaming, and how to choose the best Minecraft server hosting service.