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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo play Pixelmon with friends, everyone must use Minecraft Java Edition with the same Minecraft version, mod-loader build, Pixelmon release, and any additional mods. A server on your home network is the quickest option for people in the same house; friends elsewhere need remote networking or a managed Minecraft server. The host installs the matching Forge or NeoForge server, accepts the Minecraft EULA, places Pixelmon in the server’s mods folder, starts the server, and shares its address.
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This guide covers the complete process, from choosing a version and installing each client to LAN play, internet access, configuration, troubleshooting, and safe updates.
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Minecraft Java Edition
Pixelmon is a Forge-based mod, so it runs on the paid Minecraft Java Edition for PC. Bedrock Edition, console editions, and mobile editions cannot load Forge mods such as Pixelmon. Each person needs a Java Edition account and a launcher that can run the selected mod-loader profile.
One matching software set
Every client and the server must use the same Minecraft version, the same Forge or NeoForge build for that branch, and the same Pixelmon release. Additional server-side or client-side mods also need to be compatible. If a player has a different Pixelmon version, the server rejects the connection with a “Mod Rejection” error rather than allowing a partial installation.
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Enough memory and the correct Java runtime
The official Pixelmon installation guidance calls for at least 2 GB of available or assignable RAM on each client. The Java requirement depends on the branch: older 1.12.2-era Pixelmon installations use Java 8, while newer branches require newer Java versions listed in their installation and server documentation. Do not assume that a Java runtime that worked for an old modpack is correct for a current one.
Choose how your friends will connect
The right hosting method depends mainly on where the players are and how much maintenance you want to do.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local server on your computer | Generally players on the same local network | Manual installation and startup | Full control of files, settings, worlds, and mods | Uses your existing computer and connection | You distribute and maintain the exact client files |
| Self-hosted server reachable over the internet | Friends outside your home network, if remote access is configured correctly | Manual server work plus router, firewall, and network configuration | Full control, with responsibility for security and uptime | No hosting subscription, but it consumes your hardware, bandwidth, and electricity | You handle every update and compatibility check |
| Managed Minecraft or Pixelmon hosting | Friends connecting over the internet through the host’s address | Usually a web-panel setup with less network administration | Server files and controls are provided through the host; exact features vary | Recurring hosting fee | You still select and keep the Minecraft, loader, Pixelmon, and mod versions aligned |
For a few friends in the same home, local hosting is normally simplest. For friends in different homes, remote networking can work if you are comfortable configuring it. For a larger group, the Pixelmon server guidance strongly recommends paid hosting because performance, stability, and safety become more important as the player count grows.
Pick and record one exact version set
Do this before anyone installs anything. A short version sheet prevents the most common multiplayer failure: one person launching a different branch.
| Component | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | The exact game version, such as the branch you selected | Pixelmon releases target particular Minecraft versions |
| Mod loader | The exact Forge or NeoForge build required by that Pixelmon branch | A loader mismatch can stop the game before the server list appears |
| Pixelmon | The complete Pixelmon release number | The client and server must use the same release |
| Other mods | Every extra mod, including its version where applicable | A missing or incompatible dependency can produce a rejection or crash |
| Java | The runtime required by the selected branch | Older and newer branches do not necessarily use the same Java version |
Pixelmon’s release line changes over time. As of September 16, 2026, CurseForge lists Pixelmon 9.4.1 for Minecraft 1.21.1 with NeoForge. That listing is a current-version reference, not a permanent requirement: verify the supported Minecraft version, loader, Java runtime, and server instructions immediately before installing. Older branches continue to target earlier Minecraft versions and have different installation details.
Install Pixelmon on every player’s computer
- Install Minecraft Java Edition. Confirm that the Java profile launches an unmodded game once. This separates account or launcher problems from mod problems.
- Select the agreed Minecraft branch. Use a supported launcher profile or a manual installation. Do not let the launcher silently move one player to a newer game version.
- Install the required Forge or NeoForge build. Choose the loader named by the Pixelmon branch, not whichever loader happens to be newest. The loader version must also match the server.
- Install Pixelmon. Use the release chosen on the group’s version sheet. If you are using a prepared modpack, give every player that same pack rather than combining individually downloaded files.
- Allocate client memory. Set at least 2 GB of assignable RAM, as recommended by the official installation guide. Leave enough memory for the operating system and other applications; assigning nearly all physical RAM can make the computer less stable.
- Launch once before joining. Start the Pixelmon profile and reach the main menu. This lets the loader create its folders and exposes missing Java, dependency, or file errors before your friends are waiting.
Keep a copy of the working profile or modpack archive. It gives the host a known-good package to share when a player accidentally updates or deletes a file.
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- The classic UNO card game builds fun on game night with a Minecraft theme.
- UNO Minecraft features a deck and storage tin decorated with graphics from the popular video game.
- Players match colors and numbers to the card on top of the discard pile as in the classic game.
- The Creeper card unique to this deck forces other players to draw 3 cards.
- Makes a great gift for kid, teen, adult and family game nights with 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, especially Minecraft and video game fans.
Create a Pixelmon server on your computer
The host can run a dedicated server separately from the game client. A dedicated process is preferable to trying to make a single-player world serve as a long-term shared world because it keeps the world and server settings in one place.
- Prepare a clean server directory. Create a folder used only for this server. Keeping it separate from your client installation makes backups, updates, and troubleshooting safer.
- Install the matching server loader. Run the Forge or NeoForge installer for the exact Minecraft branch you selected and choose Install Server. Point it at the clean server directory.
- Start the server once. Use the generated startup method for your loader. The first run creates configuration files and normally stops because the EULA has not yet been accepted.
- Read the EULA and set the flag only if you agree. Open the generated
eula.txt. Changeeula=falsetoeula=trueonly after accepting the Minecraft EULA. Save the file. - Install Pixelmon on the server. Stop the server if it is running. Put the Pixelmon server jar for the selected release in the server root’s
modsfolder. Leave the jar compressed; do not extract it. Ensure the server-side file is the same release that every client uses. - Match additional mods. Add only mods that are compatible with the selected Minecraft and loader versions. If a mod is required by the client or server, include the same version in the corresponding installation.
- Allocate server memory. The server guide recommends at least 3 GB of allocated memory. Actual requirements depend on player count, world activity, Pixelmon settings, and other installed mods, so monitor performance instead of treating the minimum as a guarantee.
- Start the server again. Watch the console until it finishes loading and reports that the server is ready. The first world generation can take longer than later starts.
- Shut down cleanly. Use the server console’s normal stop command before closing the window. Abruptly killing the process risks losing recent world changes.
The server directory will contain the world, loader files, configuration, logs, and mods. Back up the world and configuration while the server is stopped, especially before changing Pixelmon versions.
Play together on the same local network
Local hosting is intended for friends connected to the same home or school network. The Pixelmon server guide notes that local hosting generally allows only people on the host’s local network to connect; it is not automatically reachable by friends elsewhere on the internet.
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- Now Minecraft lovers can play a special version of UNO!
- Same as Basic UNO but features Minecraft characters and includes special Creeper rule card. Draw this card and the other players have to draw three more cards from the pile!
- The goal is to get rid of all the cards in your hand.
- First player or team to 500 wins.
- When you're down to one card, don't forget to yell "UNO"!
- Start the dedicated server. Wait for the console to finish loading Pixelmon and the world.
- Confirm the host’s local network address. The host should use the computer’s address on the same router or wireless network. Avoid giving friends an address that is visible only inside the host computer.
- Allow the server through the host firewall when prompted. Permit the Java server process on the private or home network profile. Do not broadly expose unrelated applications.
- Give local friends the address and port shown by the server setup. They should use the Multiplayer screen and enter that address as a direct connection.
- Test with one player first. A single successful connection confirms that the server is running, the firewall rule is correct, and the client files match before everyone joins.
If a friend is on a different network, a local address will not solve the problem. Use the remote options below instead of repeatedly changing client files.
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Let friends connect over the internet
Self-hosting from home
Self-hosting gives you complete control but requires remote access to be configured for your particular router, internet connection, and operating system. You may need to allow the Java server through the host firewall, configure the router to pass incoming traffic to the server computer, and account for a changing public address. The exact screens and terminology differ by router and internet provider, so follow the documentation for your equipment.
Before sharing an address, test from a device on a different network, such as a friend’s connection. Keep the server software updated deliberately rather than accepting an automatic update during a play session. Share only the server address, never account credentials or remote-administration passwords. If your internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT or blocks inbound connections, home hosting may not be practical without an alternative remote-networking solution.
Managed hosting
A managed Minecraft or Pixelmon host supplies an internet-reachable server and a control panel. You choose a compatible Minecraft, loader, and Pixelmon combination, upload or install the matching files, and give friends the address supplied by the service. The host handles much of the networking and keeps the machine online, while you remain responsible for selecting compatible versions and maintaining the world.
For bigger servers, the official Pixelmon guidance strongly recommends paid hosting for performance, stability, and safety. Compare the provider’s memory allocation, backup controls, mod support, geographic location, and cancellation terms before committing. Do not assume that a generic Minecraft plan supports the loader or Pixelmon branch you selected.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Have friends join the server
- Send a single version package. Give each friend the same Minecraft version, loader build, Pixelmon release, and additional-mod set. A launcher profile or exported modpack reduces accidental differences.
- Have them launch the correct profile. They should reach the Pixelmon main menu before attempting to connect. Launching vanilla Minecraft or a different modpack will not work.
- Open Multiplayer. Choose the option to add or directly connect to a server, then enter the address supplied by the host. Local players use the host’s local address; remote players use the internet-reachable address configured for the server.
- Join and wait for the first load. Pixelmon worlds can take time to load, especially while terrain and structures are generated. Do not repeatedly restart the client during a normal first connection.
- Check the result with the host. If the player reaches the world, the version set and network path are working. If not, record the exact error text before changing files.
Configure Pixelmon after the first successful start
Pixelmon stores many settings in config/pixelmon.hocon inside the server directory. Stop the server before making broad edits, keep a backup of the original file, and change one group of settings at a time so a bad value is easy to identify.
Some Pixelmon settings support the /pokereload command, which reloads values that are designed to be changed while the server is running. Other changes require a complete restart. If a setting appears unchanged after a reload, stop the server, verify the file was edited in the active server directory, and restart it normally.
Test configuration changes with one player before inviting the whole group. A small test catches invalid syntax, unexpected gameplay effects, or performance problems without putting the shared world at risk.
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Troubleshoot the problems that stop players joining
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check and fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Mod Rejection” | The client and server differ in Pixelmon, Minecraft, loader, or another required mod | Compare the complete version sheet, not just the Pixelmon number. Replace the outlier files and restart the client. |
| The server list loads, but connection fails immediately | The server is still starting, the address is wrong, or a firewall is blocking Java | Wait for the ready message, confirm the address, and allow the Java server process on the intended network profile. |
| Local friends can join, remote friends cannot | The server is reachable only inside the home network | Use a properly configured remote connection or managed host. A local address cannot be used from another network. |
| Pixelmon is missing from the server | The jar is in the wrong directory, was extracted, or belongs to another branch | Stop the server, place the matching Pixelmon jar in the server root’s mods folder, and start again. |
| The server exits during startup with a Java error | The selected branch requires a different Java runtime | Check the branch’s documented Java requirement. Older 1.12.2-era installations commonly require Java 8; newer branches require newer Java versions. |
| Players get freezes or long pauses | Insufficient memory headroom, heavy world generation, too many mods, or limited hardware | Check the server’s allocated memory and system usage, reduce unnecessary mods or settings, and consider stronger hardware or managed hosting for a larger group. |
| A configuration edit has no effect | The setting needs a restart, or the wrong file was edited | Confirm config/pixelmon.hocon belongs to the running server and restart when /pokereload does not support that setting. |
| One player crashes while everyone else joins | That client has a damaged, extra, or missing mod file | Have the player compare the shared package with a working client, rebuild the profile, and launch the agreed version before reconnecting. |
Keep a shared Pixelmon world stable
- Back up before changes. Stop the server and copy the world, configuration, and mod list before updating Pixelmon, changing loaders, or editing major settings.
- Change one variable at a time. Updating Minecraft, the loader, Pixelmon, and several extra mods simultaneously makes a failure difficult to diagnose.
- Keep a known-good package. Store the exact client files that successfully joined the server. This is faster than reconstructing a working installation from memory.
- Schedule updates. Tell players when the server will be unavailable, test the new profile with one client, and update the server and every client as one coordinated change.
- Watch capacity as the group grows. More players, active areas, generated terrain, and additional mods increase CPU, memory, storage, and bandwidth demands. A setup that works for two people may need a different host or machine for a larger group.
- Protect access. Share the address only with intended players and use the access-control features available in the server software or hosting panel. Keep administrative credentials private.
A repeatable play-session checklist
- Confirm the host has the agreed Minecraft, loader, Pixelmon, and mod versions.
- Start the server and wait for its ready message.
- Verify the host’s network path: local address for same-network players or the configured remote address for internet players.
- Have one friend connect before announcing that the server is open.
- Keep the server console visible during the first few minutes so errors are captured accurately.
- Stop the server normally after the session and back up the world on a schedule appropriate to how often the group plays.
Bottom line
Pixelmon multiplayer is straightforward once the group treats the installation as one matched system. Use Java Edition, lock the Minecraft–loader–Pixelmon version set before anyone installs, run a local server for same-network friends, and choose properly configured remote access or managed hosting for players elsewhere. The host then installs the matching server loader, accepts the EULA, adds the unextracted Pixelmon jar to mods, allocates sufficient memory, and shares the correct address. When a connection fails, compare versions first; a mismatch is the most common reason a Pixelmon server rejects a client.
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