How to Add a Custom Server Icon to Your Minecraft Server
Add a custom 64x64 PNG server icon to your Minecraft Java server that displays in the multiplayer server list.
A server icon is a small image that appears next to your server name in the Minecraft multiplayer server list. It's a simple way to make your server stand out and look more professional.
Requirements
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Filename | server-icon.png (exact, case-sensitive on Linux) |
| Format | PNG |
| Dimensions | 64×64 pixels (exact — not 64x65 or 32x32) |
| Location | Server root (same level as server.properties) |
Strict requirements: Minecraft will silently ignore icons that don't meet these specs exactly. There's no error message — the icon just won't appear.
Add the Icon
Create or resize your image
Make a 64×64 PNG using any image editor:
| Tool | Notes |
|---|---|
| GIMP (free) | Image > Scale Image > 64×64 |
| Photoshop | Image > Image Size > 64×64 px |
| Pixlr (web) | pixlr.com — free online editor |
| Paint.NET (free) | Image > Resize > 64×64 |
Save it as server-icon.png (exact name).
Stop the server
In the XGamingServer Panel, go to Console and stop your server.
Upload the icon
Click Files in the sidebar. Make sure you're in the server root (the same level as server.properties and server.jar). Upload server-icon.png here.
Start the server
Start from Console. The icon loads on startup.
Verify in your server list
Open Minecraft, go to Multiplayer, and find your server in the list. The icon should appear to the left of your server name. If it doesn't, click the refresh button or remove and re-add the server in your favorites.
Tips for Good Icons
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Use a simple, recognizable design | The icon is tiny — detailed images get muddied at 64×64 |
| High contrast colors | Helps it stand out in the server list |
| Avoid small text | Anything smaller than 8px is unreadable at 64×64 |
| Use your community logo | Even simplified, branding helps players remember you |
| Test against both light and dark backgrounds | The server list has a dark background — make sure your icon works there |
| Transparency works | PNG alpha channel is supported. Use it for non-square logos |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Wrong filename | Must be exactly server-icon.png (lowercase) |
| Wrong size | Resize to exactly 64×64 — not 64×65, not 32×32 |
| Wrong location | Must be in server root, not world/ or any subfolder |
| JPG/JPEG instead of PNG | Convert to PNG. JPG is not supported |
| Server not restarted | The icon only loads at startup |
| Cached old icon | Remove and re-add the server to your favorites in Minecraft |
Animated Server Icons
Vanilla Minecraft does not support animated server icons. If you've seen them before, those servers are using BungeeCord plugins like AnimatedMOTD that swap the icon on each ping. They only work on proxy networks.
Updating the Icon
To change the icon later:
- Stop the server
- Upload a new
server-icon.png(overwrites the old one) - Start the server
- Players may need to refresh their server list to see the new icon
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