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What you need before installing
This setup is for the Java Edition of Minecraft. Forge mods do not run on Bedrock Edition, console editions, or other Minecraft editions. Each person who will play needs a paid Java Edition account and a 1.16.5 installation.
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- A 64-bit Java runtime compatible with your selected Pixelmon and Forge packages.
- A Windows, macOS, or Linux computer that can remain online while people play.
- At least 4 GB of memory dedicated to the server; more may be necessary for more players or additional mods and plugins.
- Enough unused memory for the operating system and your own Minecraft client. The client installation guidance lists at least 2 GB available or assignable RAM separately from the server allocation.
- Permission to create files, run Java, and configure your computer’s firewall.
Java guidance differs slightly between the official pages: the 1.16.5 installation information permits Java versions up to 11, while the older 1.16.5 server path specifies Java 8. Treat the Java version bundled with the exact Forge and Pixelmon package as authoritative. Use a 64-bit build, check its major version, and do not assume that the newest Java release is compatible.
Pin the versions before downloading anything
Version drift is the most common cause of a failed connection. Use this exact baseline unless the Pixelmon release documentation for your chosen package says otherwise.
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- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
| Component | Required value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | Java Edition 1.16.5 | Pixelmon 9.1.13 is built for this Minecraft version. |
| Pixelmon | Pixelmon Mod 9.1.13 | This is the latest listed 1.16.5 Forge release, published December 1, 2024. |
| Forge | 1.16.5-36.2.34 | The Pixelmon release page recommends this build, and the minimum Forge requirement applies to clients. |
| Java | Compatible 64-bit runtime | The installation material allows Java through 11 for 1.16.5; the older server path calls for Java 8. Confirm the package-specific requirement. |
| Server memory | 4 GB minimum | Player count, world size, and extra mods or plugins can require more. |
Write these values down. The server and every client must use the same Minecraft, Forge, Pixelmon, and required sidemod versions. A visually similar filename is not enough: a different Forge build or sidemod revision can still trigger mod rejection.
Install Forge as a dedicated server
- Install the selected 64-bit Java runtime. Open a terminal or command prompt and run
java -versionto confirm that the command resolves to the intended installation. On systems with more than one Java version, use the full path to the intended executable in your startup script. - Download Forge for Minecraft 1.16.5, selecting build
36.2.34unless the Pixelmon package documentation explicitly requires another compatible build. - Run the Forge installer. If double-clicking does nothing, open the installer with Java, for example by selecting “Open with Java” or running
java -jar forge-installer.jarfrom the directory containing the installer. - Choose Install server, then select a new, dedicated folder that is easy to find, such as
Pixelmon-Server. Do not place the server in your ordinary client’smodsfolder. - Allow the installer to download its required libraries. When it finishes, the folder should contain Forge server files and libraries.
Keep the folder dedicated to this world. Backups, configuration files, crash reports, logs, and the world save will all be created there, so separating it from other Minecraft instances makes updates and recovery safer.
Add Pixelmon and start the server once
- Download the Pixelmon 1.16.5 server mod or the matching server pack for Pixelmon 9.1.13 from the official Pixelmon distribution or its listed CurseForge release.
- Put the Pixelmon server
.jarin the server folder’smodsdirectory. If the installer did not createmods, create that directory yourself. - Add only sidemods that are explicitly compatible with Minecraft 1.16.5, your Forge build, and Pixelmon 9.1.13. Read each sidemod’s requirements and incompatibility notes before copying it into
mods. - Start the Forge server once. The first launch creates configuration files and usually stops or pauses while the EULA is unresolved.
- Open
eula.txtin the server folder, read the Minecraft EULA, and changeeula=falsetoeula=trueonly if you agree to it. - Start the server again and wait for the console to report that it has finished loading. The first world generation can take noticeably longer than later launches.
Do not rename the Forge server file casually. Your launch command must reference the exact filename installed in the folder. If Forge generated a versioned name, use that name rather than a guessed placeholder.
Launch commands for each operating system
The official pattern uses Java memory flags and the Forge server jar with the graphical interface disabled. Replace the example jar name with the exact file in your directory. The minimum and maximum values should leave memory for the operating system; assigning all physical RAM to Java can make the machine unstable.
Windows batch file
Create a file named start.bat in the server folder:
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- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar forge-1.16.5-36.2.34.jar nogui
pause-Xms4G sets the initial heap and -Xmx4G sets the maximum. If testing shows that the world needs more memory and the computer has headroom, increase both values together, for example to 6G or 8G. The file name in the example is illustrative; retain the exact Forge jar name created by your installer.
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macOS or Linux terminal
Open a terminal, change to the server directory, and run:
cd /path/to/Pixelmon-Server
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar forge-1.16.5-36.2.34.jar noguiOn Linux, you can save the command in a shell script and make it executable with chmod +x start.sh. On either platform, use an absolute path to Java if java -version reports the wrong runtime.
Stop the server safely
Type stop in the server console and wait for it to save the world before closing the window or shutting down the computer. Killing the process during a save risks corrupted chunks and lost progress.
Install the matching client
- Install Minecraft Java Edition 1.16.5 in the launcher.
- Install Forge 1.16.5-36.2.34, or the exact Forge build required by the server package.
- Launch the Forge profile once, then close Minecraft so it creates the client folders.
- Place Pixelmon Mod 9.1.13 and the server’s required sidemods in the client’s
modsdirectory. - Remove unrelated mods while diagnosing a connection problem. A clean profile containing only the required files makes mismatches easier to identify.
The client and server need matching versions, not merely the same major Minecraft release. Compare the full Minecraft version, full Forge version, Pixelmon version, and every sidemod filename on both sides. If a server pack supplies configuration files, copy the matching configuration as instructed by that pack rather than mixing files from another release.
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- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Connect on the same local network
The basic official procedure is local hosting: the computer running the server and the players’ computers are on the same home or office network. The host should find its private LAN address from the operating system’s network settings. Players select multiplayer, add the host’s LAN address and server port, and connect after the server console has finished loading.
A local address such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x is reachable only inside that network. Do not give that address to an internet friend and expect it to work. If local players cannot connect, first check that the server process is running, the address belongs to the host computer, and the operating system firewall allows Java or the configured Minecraft port on the private network.
Let friends outside your network join
LAN hosting does not automatically publish a server to the internet. Remote access requires network exposure and firewall configuration beyond the basic installation.
Router and firewall work
- Give the host computer a stable private address, either with a DHCP reservation in the router or a correctly configured static address.
- Permit the Java server through the host operating system’s firewall on the private network and, where appropriate, the public profile.
- Forward the Minecraft server port from the router to the host computer’s private address. Use the same port configured in
server.properties. - Share the router’s current public address or a properly configured dynamic-DNS name with trusted players. Do not publish it casually.
- Test from a connection outside your home network, such as a mobile hotspot. Testing from inside the same LAN can give a false result because some routers do not support loopback.
Internet-facing servers increase exposure to scanning, denial-of-service traffic, and accidental access. Keep Java, Forge, and the operating system patched within the versions supported by your Pixelmon stack, use the server whitelist, and avoid granting operator privileges casually. If your internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT, ordinary port forwarding may not work; in that case, use a hosting service or another network design that supplies a reachable endpoint.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSelf-hosting versus managed hosting
Running the server at home gives you direct control and avoids a recurring hosting bill, but your computer, power, upload bandwidth, and home network must remain available. The official server guide recommends paid hosting for larger communities because it can improve performance, stability, and safety. Choose based on the following practical differences rather than a provider’s advertised player count.
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| Decision area | Self-hosted computer | Managed host |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No separate hosting subscription, but you supply hardware, electricity, storage, and network service. | Recurring fee; hardware and network operations are supplied by the host. |
| CPU and RAM | Limited by the machine you own and the resources needed by other applications. | Choose a plan with enough dedicated or advertised resources for the player count and mod load. |
| Forge and modpack support | Full control over installer, jar files, configuration, and sidemods. | Confirm that the service permits custom Forge versions, Pixelmon server packs, and manual mod uploads. |
| Backups | You must schedule, verify, and store backups separately. | Check whether automatic backups exist, how often they run, and whether downloads or restore points are included. |
| Public networking | You configure port forwarding, firewall rules, and exposure yourself. | The service normally supplies a public endpoint; verify its network protection and any traffic limits. |
| Console access | Direct local console and file access. | Confirm that the control panel provides a live console, log access, and file management. |
| Changing Java versions | You can install and select a compatible runtime directly. | Check how easily the panel lets you change Java versions when Forge or Pixelmon requires it. |
| Player-count headroom | Depends on your CPU, memory, storage speed, upload bandwidth, and other workloads. | Depends on the selected plan and its resource limits; leave headroom for world generation and extra mods. |
Whichever route you choose, keep an offline copy of the world and configuration files. A managed service is not a substitute for your own recovery plan, and a home server is not automatically cheaper once hardware, electricity, and connectivity are counted.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fix the most common failures
The server will not start
- Run
java -versionand confirm a 64-bit, package-compatible major version. If several Java installations exist, point the script at the correct executable. - Check the Forge jar filename character by character. A command that names
forge-1.16.5-36.2.34.jarwill fail if the installed file has a different suffix or naming pattern. - Verify that the heap setting is realistic for the machine. An allocation larger than available memory can cause an immediate failure or severe swapping.
- Read the first error in the console and the newest log rather than repeatedly double-clicking the launcher. Missing libraries, an invalid mod, and a Java mismatch produce different messages.
Forge installer appears to do nothing
Open the installer with Java instead of treating it as a generic executable. Use the terminal command java -jar forge-installer.jar from the directory containing the downloaded file, or select Java in the operating system’s “Open with” menu.
“Mod Rejection” when joining
Compare both installations systematically. Confirm Minecraft 1.16.5, Forge 1.16.5-36.2.34, Pixelmon 9.1.13, and every required sidemod. Remove extra client-only or outdated files, then restart both the client and server. A server pack can also include configuration or dependency files that a manually assembled client lacks.
Slow loading, lag, or crashes
- Increase the server heap only within the physical machine’s capacity, leaving room for the operating system and client.
- Inspect the crash report and server log for the named mod, Java exception, or out-of-memory message.
- Test without optional sidemods to isolate an incompatibility, then add them back one at a time after checking their requirements.
- Reduce simultaneous world-generation work and avoid launching other demanding applications on a small home machine.
The Pixelmon installation guidance points users to crash-report troubleshooting and Pixelmon support channels when logs identify a deeper mod or runtime problem. Include the complete crash report and the exact version list when asking for help.
A sidemod breaks the server
Read that sidemod’s requirements and incompatibility information before installation. Remove it from both the server and clients, confirm that the base Pixelmon stack works, and then test a compatible release. Never assume that a sidemod built for another Minecraft or Forge version will be harmless.
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Operating checklist after the first successful launch
- Record the exact Minecraft, Forge, Pixelmon, Java, and sidemod versions in a text file.
- Enable a whitelist before inviting remote players.
- Stop the server with the
stopcommand before copying a world backup. - Keep at least one backup outside the server computer and periodically test that it can be restored.
- Watch memory use and logs during the first sessions with the intended number of players.
- Test updates on a copy of the world before replacing a working installation.
- Tell players to use the same clean Forge profile and mod files; a launcher update can silently alter a dependency.
FAQ
Can I host Pixelmon on Bedrock or a console?
No. This Forge-based Pixelmon setup requires Minecraft Java Edition.
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Is 4 GB always enough?
It is the stated minimum starting point for the server. Actual needs rise with player count, world activity, and additional mods or plugins, so monitor usage and increase the allocation only when the computer has capacity.
Why does my client have the right Pixelmon version but still fail?
Forge, Minecraft, and sidemods must match too. Compare complete version numbers on both sides rather than checking Pixelmon alone.
Can friends join without port forwarding?
Not through the ordinary LAN procedure. Remote players need a reachable public endpoint, which means router and firewall configuration or a managed hosting arrangement.
Quick Recap
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