Minecraft server.properties Configuration Guide
Complete reference for every setting in server.properties — gamemode, difficulty, PvP, view distance, network, security, and resource packs.
The server.properties file controls all core settings on your Minecraft Java server. It's a plain key=value text file in the server root.
Server File Structure
How to Edit server.properties
Stop your server
In the XGamingServer Panel, go to Console and stop your server.
Always stop the server before editing — Minecraft overwrites
server.propertieson shutdown, so changes made to a running server are lost.
Open server.properties
Click Files in the sidebar and open server.properties in the server root.
Edit and save
Change the values you need, click Save Content, then start your server from Console.
Tip: Many of these settings are also available as Startup variables in the panel sidebar — that's faster for the most common settings (server name, port, max players, gamemode, difficulty).
Server Identity
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
motd | A Minecraft Server | Message of the day shown in the server browser. Supports color codes. See Change MOTD |
server-port | 25565 | Game port (TCP) |
server-ip | (empty) | IP to bind to. Leave empty to bind all interfaces |
max-players | 20 | Maximum concurrent players. See Player Limit |
white-list | false | Enable whitelist mode |
enforce-whitelist | false | Kick non-whitelisted players when whitelist is enabled |
Gameplay
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
gamemode | survival | survival, creative, adventure, or spectator |
difficulty | easy | peaceful, easy, normal, or hard |
hardcore | false | Enable Hardcore mode (permadeath, locks difficulty to hard) |
pvp | true | Allow player vs player combat |
force-gamemode | false | Force players to server gamemode on every join |
allow-flight | false | Allow flight mods/plugins. Disable to kick flying players |
spawn-monsters | true | Spawn hostile mobs |
spawn-animals | true | Spawn passive mobs |
spawn-npcs | true | Spawn villagers |
allow-nether | true | Enable the Nether dimension |
enable-command-block | false | Allow placing and using command blocks |
World
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
level-name | world | World folder name. Change to load a different world |
level-seed | (empty) | World generation seed (only applies on first generation) |
level-type | minecraft:normal | normal, flat, large_biomes, amplified, single_biome_surface |
generate-structures | true | Generate villages, temples, monuments, etc. |
max-world-size | 29999984 | World border radius in blocks (max value) |
spawn-protection | 16 | Radius around spawn that only OPs can modify (0 = disabled) |
Performance
| Property | Default | Recommendation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
view-distance | 10 | 6–10 | Chunk render distance (4–32). Biggest performance lever |
simulation-distance | 10 | 4–8 | Chunk simulation/ticking distance (4–32) |
max-tick-time | 60000 | 60000 or -1 | Milliseconds before watchdog kills the server (-1 = disabled) |
network-compression-threshold | 256 | 256 | Packet compression threshold in bytes |
entity-broadcast-range-percentage | 100 | 50–100 | Entity visibility range. Lower = less network load |
sync-chunk-writes | true | true | Force chunk writes to flush before continuing |
Performance tip: Lower
view-distanceandsimulation-distancebefore adding RAM. View distance has more impact than any other setting. See Performance Guide.
Player
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
player-idle-timeout | 0 | Minutes before AFK players are kicked (0 = disabled) |
op-permission-level | 4 | Default OP permission level (1–4). See OP Permissions |
function-permission-level | 2 | Permission level for command functions in datapacks |
Network & Security
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
online-mode | true | Verify player accounts with Mojang. Set to false for cracked clients (NOT recommended) |
prevent-proxy-connections | false | Block VPN and proxy connections |
enable-rcon | false | Enable remote console |
rcon.port | 25575 | RCON port (TCP) |
rcon.password | (empty) | RCON password — required if enable-rcon is true |
enable-query | false | Enable GameSpy4 query protocol (for server lists) |
query.port | 25565 | Query port (UDP) |
enable-status | true | Show server in the multiplayer browser ping list |
hide-online-players | false | Hide player count from server pings |
Warning: Setting
online-mode=falseallows cracked clients but also lets anyone connect with any username, including impersonating your admins. Only disable on private servers behind a whitelist.
Resource Packs
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
resource-pack | (empty) | Public URL to a server resource pack .zip |
resource-pack-sha1 | (empty) | SHA1 hash of the resource pack for verification |
require-resource-pack | false | Kick players who decline the pack |
resource-pack-prompt | (empty) | Custom message shown to players when prompted |
See Resource Packs for the full setup guide.
Misc
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
level-name | world | Active world folder name |
snooper-enabled | true | Send anonymous usage stats to Mojang |
enable-jmx-monitoring | false | Enable JMX monitoring for performance tools |
op-permission-level | 4 | OP permission level |
Common Color Codes
Several settings (motd, kick messages, etc.) support § color codes:
| Code | Color |
|---|---|
§a | Green |
§c | Red |
§e | Yellow |
§b | Aqua |
§l | Bold |
§r | Reset |
See Color Codes for the full list.
Related Guides
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