How to Install Mods on Your Minecraft Server

Mods add new content, mechanics, and features to Minecraft — from new biomes and creatures to entirely new gameplay systems. This guide covers how to upload mods to your server.

⚠️ Warning: Mods require a compatible mod loader installed on your server. Forge mods need a Forge server, Fabric mods need a Fabric server, and so on. If you need to change your server type, see our version guide.

Before You Start

Make sure your server is running the correct mod loader and Minecraft version for your mods. Check the mod's download page for compatibility info.
Players connecting to your server must also have the same mods installed on their local Minecraft client.
Not all mods are designed for dedicated servers — some are client-side only. Check the mod description before installing.

Installing Mods

Download the mod

Download your mod's .jar file from a trusted source like Modrinth or CurseForge.

Stop your server

Open the Files manager

Go to Files.

Upload the mod

Open the mods folder and upload your .jar file.

Start your server

Start your server.

Screenshot: Uploading a mod jar to the mods folder in Files

💡 Tip: Install a few mods at a time and test after each batch. This makes it much easier to identify which mod is causing issues if something breaks.

📝 Note: For large files or multiple mods, use SFTP instead of the browser uploader. It's faster and handles large uploads more reliably.

Troubleshooting

If your server crashes after adding mods:

Check the Console for error messages — they usually identify which mod is causing the problem
Verify the mod is compatible with your Minecraft version and mod loader
Make sure you have the correct Java version set in Startup
Check our Troubleshooting guide for more help

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our Discord.

How to Install Mods on Your Minecraft Server

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