Where you change Minecraft server settings depends on who runs the server. For a self-hosted server, edit configuration files on the computer running it; for a rented server, use the hosting provider’s control panel. The in-game menus for joining a server do not let you change the host’s configuration.
First, identify which settings you need to access
If you own or administer the server, use the option that matches how it is hosted:
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- Self-hosted: Open the server’s folder on the computer running it. Java Edition uses
server.properties; the official Bedrock Dedicated Server uses configuration files in its extracted server folder. - Rented or managed hosting: Sign in to the provider’s control panel and look for server settings, configuration, files, or console tools. The exact labels and workflow vary by provider.
- Only trying to join a server: Use the game’s multiplayer screens. Those are for connecting, not administering the server.
Access settings on a self-hosted Java server
- On the computer that runs the server, open the server folder.
- Find
server.propertiesand open it in a text editor. If your computer does not recognize it as a text file, choose a text editor to open it. - Find the setting you want and change the value after the
=sign. Minecraft Help lists examples includinggamemode,difficulty,pvp,max-players,level-seed, andmotd. The available properties can depend on the server version; consult the Minecraft Help guide for its instructions and examples. - Save the file, then restart or relaunch the server as appropriate for your setup so the changes take effect.
The official Java server software is for Java Edition and requires Java to be usable from the command line. See the Minecraft Java server download page for the software and setup information.
Access settings on a self-hosted Bedrock Dedicated Server
This refers to the official dedicated server software, not the settings menus in the Bedrock game client. Download and extract the server package, then run the executable or command-line file for your operating system. The configuration files in the extracted folder are where you customize the world. Minecraft’s Bedrock Dedicated Server page explains the package and setup, but does not provide a complete setting-by-setting reference.
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Access settings through a hosting provider
For a rented server, the provider—not Minecraft’s multiplayer menu—controls the administration interface. Sign in to the provider account associated with the server, select the relevant server, and look for its settings, configuration, file manager, or console area. Because the provider is unspecified, there is no single reliable set of button names or navigation steps. If you share the host’s name, you can get instructions tailored to its panel.
Minecraft describes Realms as a subscription-based hosting service for people who want a small private server for friends. It is a managed alternative to running a server yourself; the Realms overview does not establish a universal control-panel workflow for other hosting services.
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Do not confuse server administration with joining a server
Bedrock’s Play > Servers and Java’s Multiplayer flows are for connecting to servers. They do not edit the server’s host-side configuration. If you do not own or administer the server, ask its owner or administrator to change a setting.
Check your server version before changing settings
Properties and management options can change between releases. For example, the Java Edition 1.21.9 release notes describe some server properties being removed in favor of game rules that can be changed while the server runs. They also document a server management protocol for dedicated servers: it is disabled by default, configured through server properties, and requires authenticated clients. It is not a general-purpose button in the Minecraft client. Check the Java Edition 1.21.9 release notes or the notes for the version your server actually runs before relying on a particular property or management feature.
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Keep network access separate from configuration edits
Editing a file is different from making the server reachable to people outside your local network. External access may require network or firewall changes. Minecraft warns that changing a home network’s configuration is not recommended unless you know what you are doing, and cautions against publicly sharing your home server’s public IP address. Review the Minecraft Help guidance before changing network settings.
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