Minecraft Server Guides
Comprehensive guides to set up, manage, and optimize your Minecraft server.
Minecraft is the world's best-selling game and one of the most popular titles for dedicated server hosting. Whether you're running a small survival world with friends or a large modded community server, these guides will help you get the most out of your XGamingServer Minecraft server.
Getting Started
Essential guides to get your server up and running.
Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know to get your first server running.
Connect to Your Server
Find your server IP and join from the Minecraft client.
Server Types Explained
Vanilla, Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric, and more.
How Much RAM Do I Need?
RAM recommendations based on player count and mods.
Agree to the EULA
Accept Mojang's EULA to start your server.
Adding Admins
Give yourself or others OP permissions.
Adding a Whitelist
Restrict your server to approved players only.
Configure Your Server
Overview of all server.properties settings.
Use the Server Console
Run commands and monitor your server.
Server Settings
Customize gameplay, world generation, and player experience.
Change Difficulty
Switch between Peaceful, Easy, Normal, and Hard.
Change Seed
Set a custom world seed.
Change Server Name
Update the MOTD in the server browser.
Change MOTD with Colors
Customize your MOTD with color codes and formatting.
Change View Distance
Adjust how far players can see.
Change Spawn Protection
Protect blocks around world spawn.
Set Max Players
Control how many players can join.
Set Idle Timeout
Automatically kick AFK players.
Disable Monsters
Turn off hostile mob spawning.
Disable PvP
Prevent player damage.
Enable Command Blocks
Allow command block automation.
Enable Flight
Stop players from being kicked for flying.
Enable Hardcore Mode
Permanent death with locked Hard difficulty.
Enable Offline Mode
Allow players without Mojang authentication.
Force Gamemode
Lock all players to a specific gamemode.
Set Creative Mode
Switch your server to Creative mode.
Change Mob Spawn Rate
Adjust how many mobs spawn.
Change Level Type
Set world generation type.
Create a Superflat World
Generate a flat world with custom layers.
Add World Border
Set a world boundary to limit exploration.
Use Game Rules
Complete reference of all game rules.
Use Color Codes
Minecraft color and formatting code reference.
Configure Auto-Saving
Control world save intervals.
Disable Chat Reporting
Turn off Mojang's chat reporting.
Disable Player Advancements
Hide advancement announcements.
Configure TNT Exploits
Enable or disable TNT duping on Paper.
Allow Any Version to Join
Let multiple Minecraft versions connect.
Edit Bukkit/Spigot/Paper Configs
Advanced server configuration files.
Versions, Mods & Plugins
Change server software, install plugins, mods, and modpacks.
Change Server Version
Switch between server software.
Change Java Version
Set the Java runtime for your version.
Installing Plugins
Add plugins using the Plugin Manager or manually.
Installing Mods
Upload mods to Forge or Fabric servers.
Installing Modpacks
Install full modpacks via the Modpack Manager.
Update Modpacks
Safely update modpacks without losing worlds.
Uninstall Plugins
Safely remove plugins and their data.
Uninstall Mods
Remove mods from Forge/Fabric servers.
Install a Custom Server JAR
Use custom server software.
Install Sponge Plugins
Run Sponge plugins on Forge servers.
Install Cardboard
Run Bukkit plugins on Fabric servers.
Adding Voice Chat
Set up Simple Voice Chat for proximity voice.
Popular Plugins
The most used server plugins and how to set them up.
EssentialsX
Core commands, homes, warps, economy.
LuckPerms
Permission groups and player permissions.
WorldEdit
In-game map editing and building tools.
WorldGuard
Region protection and area flags.
GriefDefender
Advanced land claiming and grief protection.
DiscordSRV
Bridge chat between Minecraft and Discord.
Dynmap
Live web-based map of your world.
ClearLag
Automatic entity and item cleanup.
Vault
Economy, permissions, and chat API.
Spark
Performance profiling and monitoring.
Votifier
Reward players for voting on server lists.
Holograms
Floating text displays and info boards.
Tebex Store
Webstore for ranks, items, and perks.
BungeeGuard
Security for BungeeCord networks.
Biomes O' Plenty
50+ new biomes for world generation.
Reduce Lag with Plugins
Best plugins for server optimization.
Popular Modpacks
Pre-built mod collections for themed gameplay experiences.
Pixelmon
Pokémon in Minecraft.
CrazyCraft
Hundreds of mods for chaotic gameplay.
Vault Hunters
RPG dungeon-crawling modpack.
SkyFactory
Skyblock with tech and automation mods.
OneBlock
Skyblock variant with infinite block mining.
IridiumSkyblock
Full-featured skyblock with team islands.
World Management
Create, modify, convert, and manage your server worlds.
Reset World
Delete your world and start fresh.
Upload Existing Save
Transfer a local world to your server.
Upload Custom World/Map
Install adventure maps and custom worlds.
Download Your World
Save your server world to your PC.
Add Extra Worlds
Run multiple worlds with Multiverse.
Reset Nether/End
Regenerate the Nether or End dimension.
Reset Player Data
Clear player inventories and progress.
Convert World Formats
Switch between Vanilla, Bukkit, and Forge formats.
Convert Bedrock to Java
Transfer a Bedrock world to Java Edition.
Edit Level Data (NBT)
Modify world settings with NBTExplorer.
Edit Player Data (NBT)
Modify player inventories and stats.
Trim World
Remove distant chunks to reduce file size.
Reset Chunks
Regenerate specific chunks with MCA Selector.
Manage Datapacks
Install and manage datapacks.
Resource Packs
Add custom textures and sounds.
Proxy Networks
Connect multiple servers into a network.
BungeeCord Guide
Set up a BungeeCord proxy network.
Velocity Guide
Modern alternative to BungeeCord.
IP Forwarding
Configure IP forwarding for proxies.
BungeeCord Troubleshooting
Fix common proxy issues.
Crossplay
Let Bedrock and Java players play together.
Geyser & Floodgate
Let Bedrock players join your Java server.
MCXboxBroadcast
Show your server on Bedrock's Friends tab.
Server Administration
Manage players, security, and server infrastructure.
Ban/Unban Players
Manage player bans and pardons.
Teleport Commands
Teleport players and set spawn points.
Remove Items from Inventories
Clear items from players.
Stop X-Ray
Prevent X-ray cheating on your server.
Add Server Icon
Set a custom 64x64 server icon.
Fix Player Skins
Troubleshoot missing player skins.
Server Restart Schedule
Set up automatic restarts.
Backups vs Auto-Save
Understand backup and save strategies.
Configure SFTP
Connect via SFTP for file transfers.
Custom Server IP/Domain
Use a custom domain name.
Set Up SRV Records
DNS records for clean server addresses.
Setup RCON
Remote console access.
Database
Store and share plugin data across servers.
Use MySQL Database
Set up MySQL for plugin data sharing.
Import/Export MySQL
Back up and migrate database data.
Performance & Optimization
Make your server run faster and smoother.
Performance Guide
General server optimization tips.
Enable Aikar's Flags
Optimized JVM settings for memory management.
Fabric Performance Guide
Performance mods for Fabric.
Forge Performance Guide
Performance mods for Forge.
NeoForge Performance Guide
Performance mods for NeoForge.
Preloading Chunks
Pre-generate chunks to reduce lag.
Create Timings Report
Diagnose server performance issues.
Types of Server Lag
Understand TPS, MSPT, and network lag.
Security
Protect your server from vulnerabilities and exploits.
Log4j Vulnerability
Protect against the Log4Shell exploit.
BleedingPipe Vulnerability
Protect Forge servers from BleedingPipe.
Troubleshooting
Fix common errors, crashes, and connection problems.
General Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions.
Server Won't Start
Fix startup failures.
Connection Timed Out
Fix timeout errors.
Connection Refused
Fix refused connections.
Kicked for Flying
Stop false fly kicks.
Ticking Entity Crash
Fix entity-related crashes.
Failed to Verify Username
Fix authentication errors.
Session Lock Error
Fix session.lock world errors.
Server Tick Loop Crash
Fix infinite tick loops.
Mismatched Mod Channel
Fix mod version mismatches.
Java Exit Codes
Decode Java error codes.
ZIP End Header Error
Fix corrupt JAR files.
Find & Read Crash Reports
Locate and interpret crash logs.
Find & Share Server Logs
Share logs for support.
Fix YAML Errors
Debug plugin config syntax.
Fix JSON Errors
Debug JSON config syntax.
Growing Your Server
Get more players and generate revenue.
How is this guide?
Adding Steam Workshop Mods to Your L4D2 Server
Install Steam Workshop mods on your Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server by transferring them from your local game files.
How to Add Extra Worlds to Your Minecraft Server (Multiverse)
Learn how to create and manage multiple worlds on a single Minecraft server using Multiverse-Core.