How to Fix Player Skins Not Showing on Your Server

Check online-mode setting

The most common cause is online-mode=false in server.properties. When disabled, the server can't fetch skins from Mojang.

Fix for standalone servers:

Edit server.properties via Files on the XGamingServer panel:

online-mode=true

Restart the server.

📝 Note: If you're running a BungeeCord/Velocity network, backends should have online-mode=false — skins are handled differently (see below).

Fix skins on BungeeCord networks

On proxy networks, backends have online-mode=false which breaks skin loading. Fix this by ensuring IP forwarding is properly configured:

BungeeCord:

• Proxy config.yml: ip_forward: true
• Backends spigot.yml: bungeecord: true

Velocity:

• Proxy velocity.toml: player-info-forwarding-mode = "modern"
• Backends config/paper-global.yml: velocity forwarding enabled with matching secret

Fix skins for cracked/offline players

If you allow offline-mode players (cracked accounts), they won't have skins by default. Use a skin plugin:

• SkinsRestorer — Most popular skin plugin
• Lets offline players set custom skins with /skin <username>

Install SkinsRestorer on the proxy (for networks) or backend (for standalone):

/skin set <player> <skin_name>
/skin url <player> <url>
/skin clear <player>

Check for Geyser skin issues

If using GeyserMC for Bedrock crossplay, Bedrock player skins may not display correctly for Java players. Install Floodgate alongside Geyser to improve skin compatibility.

Server resource pack overriding skins

If your server uses a resource pack, check if it includes custom player models or textures that override skins.