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dedicated servers

VPS or Dedicated Hosting: How to Install a Minecraft Server

A VPS is the simplest starting point for most small Minecraft servers. Learn how to choose capacity, install Java Edition on Ubuntu, open the right port and decide when to upgrade.

By VGSources Team 12 min read
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For a small private Minecraft server, start with a VPS: it is quick to provision, easier to resize and usually has enough capacity for a few players. Move to a dedicated-CPU VPS if shared CPU performance becomes inconsistent; choose a physical dedicated server for sustained heavy workloads, large modpacks or several server instances. If you would rather not administer Linux, managed Minecraft hosting is another option.

The installation below is for Minecraft: Java Edition on Ubuntu. Java and Bedrock use different server software, and the commands here do not install a Bedrock server.

Choose the edition and hosting type

Java Edition or Bedrock Edition

Use Mojang’s official Java server download for Java Edition clients and Java-compatible software such as Paper, Fabric or Forge. The download page supplies the current server file and launch guidance. Bedrock Dedicated Server is separate software with its own operating-system requirements; Mojang lists Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later for its Linux build. See the Bedrock server download and requirements rather than adapting the Java commands below. Mojang also explains the distinction in its dedicated and featured servers FAQ.

Java requirements depend on the game release and server software. Minecraft Java 1.20.5 introduced a requirement for Java 21 and a 64-bit operating system; check the requirements for your exact release and mod loader before installing Java. The 1.20.5 release notes document that version change.

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What “dedicated” means

A VPS is a virtual machine with its own operating system and allocated resources. Its physical host may serve other customers. A shared-CPU VPS can experience contention; a dedicated-CPU VPS reserves or dedicates virtual CPU capacity, but it is still a VM. A physical dedicated server, also called bare metal, assigns you the machine itself. Providers use these terms differently, so verify the actual plan specifications.

Option Good fit Trade-off
Shared-CPU VPS Private worlds, a few players, vanilla or light customization, and learning Linux administration Lower entry cost and easy resizing, but CPU time may be contended
Dedicated-CPU VPS An active server where CPU contention is suspected, but a VM still meets the scale and budget More consistent CPU capacity than shared plans; it is not necessarily a physical server
Physical dedicated server Large communities, heavy modpacks, several instances or a need for predictable hardware resources Higher fixed cost and more responsibility for migration, maintenance and recovery
Managed Minecraft host Owners who want a game-server panel, setup assistance or modpack workflows instead of Linux administration Less control over the system and possible limits on software, ports, backups or layout

For example, DigitalOcean distinguishes shared-CPU Droplets from dedicated-CPU plans in its Droplet plan guidance. Hetzner describes dedicated-vCPU cloud options on its cloud pricing page. Neither label alone tells you the single-core performance or the behavior of every workload.

Size the server for the workload

Prioritize CPU performance, not core count alone

A Minecraft world’s main simulation loop can be sensitive to per-core performance. Many advertised vCPUs do not guarantee that one world will run faster than it would on fewer, faster cores. Consider the CPU generation, whether capacity is shared, the data-center location and how many other services will run on the machine.

Use RAM estimates as starting points

These are practical initial ranges for testing, not official minimums or player-capacity guarantees. Actual use depends on players, world activity, view and simulation distance, terrain generation, mods, plugins and server software.

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Workload Starting RAM range
Small vanilla Java server, a few players 2–4 GB
Small Paper or Purpur server with plugins 4–6 GB
Lightly modded server 6–8 GB
Large modpack or more active community 8–16+ GB
Multiple instances or a large public network 16 GB upward; workload may call for dedicated hardware

Do not assign all system memory to Java. Leave headroom for Ubuntu, file cache, backups and any monitoring, proxy, database or panel you install. DigitalOcean recommends a 4 GB, 2-core Droplet for its particular Minecraft 1-Click application; that provider-specific recommendation is not a universal requirement. Its 1-Click documentation also describes a packaged image, which may not match the current game release or your preferred server software.

Allow for storage, networking and backups

  • Storage: Prefer SSD or NVMe for world files and chunk activity. Reserve disk space for the operating system, server files, mods, logs, world growth, temporary update files and backup retention.
  • Location: Choose a data center near most players. A large transfer allowance does not by itself mean low latency or reliable gameplay.
  • Network: Check IPv4 availability and cost, IPv6, outbound transfer terms, port restrictions, DDoS protections and provider abuse policies. These vary by provider and plan.
  • Capacity headroom: Avoid filling the disk with worlds or backups. A full filesystem can prevent saves, updates or even normal system operation.

For instance, DigitalOcean documents Droplet transfer billing and notes that powering off a Droplet does not stop billing while its compute resources remain reserved; check its current billing details for applicable terms.

Install a Java server on Ubuntu

The steps below assume a newly provisioned 64-bit Ubuntu server with a public IP and SSH access. Choose a supported Ubuntu release, SSD or NVMe storage, and enough CPU and memory for the workload. For a basic small-server starting point, consider at least 2 vCPUs and 4 GB RAM, then monitor and adjust. If the provider gives you root access, create an administrative user and add your SSH key before restricting root SSH access.

1. Update Ubuntu and install the Java runtime

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo reboot

Reconnect after the reboot. For a Minecraft release that requires Java 21, install the headless runtime and verify it:

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sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headless
java -version

Use the Java version required by your specific Minecraft release or mod loader. Do not assume Java 21 will be correct for every future release.

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2. Create a non-root Minecraft account

Run the server as a dedicated, unprivileged account rather than root:

sudo adduser --system --home /opt/minecraft --group minecraft
sudo mkdir -p /opt/minecraft/server
sudo chown -R minecraft:minecraft /opt/minecraft
sudo -iu minecraft
cd /opt/minecraft/server

3. Download the current server file

Use the current JAR and download link from Mojang’s official Java server page. Filenames and download URLs change between releases; do not reuse an old link. After obtaining the release-specific link, download it with the actual URL in place of the example:

wget -O server.jar 'PASTE_CURRENT_OFFICIAL_SERVER_JAR_URL'

This command intentionally requires the current URL from the official page; the quoted example is not a download link. Paper, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and other server software have their own official downloads and instructions. Use the correct build for your Minecraft version and loader rather than treating their JARs as interchangeable.

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4. Generate files and accept the EULA

Start the server once to generate its initial files. This example gives Java a 2 GB initial heap and a 4 GB maximum; adjust those values to fit your machine while leaving RAM for Ubuntu and other processes.

java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar nogui

The first run normally creates eula.txt, server.properties, logs and world files, then stops until you accept the EULA. Read the Minecraft EULA before changing the setting:

sed -i 's/^eula=false/eula=true/' eula.txt
grep '^eula=' eula.txt

Continue only if the check prints eula=true and you have agreed to the terms. EULA acceptance does not remove other applicable usage rules or your responsibility for server moderation.

5. Configure the server

Edit the properties file:

nano /opt/minecraft/server/server.properties

For a small private Java server, settings to review include:

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motd=My Minecraft Server
gamemode=survival
difficulty=normal
max-players=10
view-distance=8
simulation-distance=6
online-mode=true
white-list=true
server-port=25565
enable-command-block=false

These are example starting values, not universal performance settings. Property names and behavior can change by release; consult the server.properties reference for the version you run. Keep online-mode=true unless you have a specific, informed reason to change it: disabling authentication creates identity and security risks. Begin with moderate view and simulation distances, then adjust based on actual tick and resource behavior.

6. Test the server in the foreground

Start it manually from the server directory:

cd /opt/minecraft/server
java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar nogui

Wait for the startup-complete message. Connect from a Minecraft Java client using SERVER_PUBLIC_IP:25565. To save and stop cleanly, type stop in the server console; do not normally kill the process abruptly because it must save world data.

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Keep the server running across SSH disconnects and reboots

A terminal multiplexer provides an uncomplicated way to keep the interactive console available after an SSH session ends. The following systemd service starts a named screen session on boot and sends the clean stop command when stopped through systemd.

Install screen and create a launcher

As an administrator, install screen and create the script:

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sudo apt install -y screen
sudo nano /opt/minecraft/start.sh

Put this in the file:

#!/bin/bash
cd /opt/minecraft/server
exec screen -DmS minecraft 
  java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar nogui

Save it, then set ownership and permissions:

sudo chown minecraft:minecraft /opt/minecraft/start.sh
sudo chmod 750 /opt/minecraft/start.sh

Create and enable the systemd service

Create /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service

Use:

[Unit]
Description=Minecraft Java Edition Server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
User=minecraft
Group=minecraft
WorkingDirectory=/opt/minecraft
ExecStart=/opt/minecraft/start.sh
ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -S minecraft -X stuff "stop^M"
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Load the unit, start it now and enable it for future boots:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now minecraft
sudo systemctl status minecraft

Follow service logs with sudo journalctl -u minecraft -f. To attach to the live console, run sudo -iu minecraft screen -r minecraft. Detach without stopping the server by pressing Ctrl+A, then D. Detaching only leaves the console; it does not stop the service. Use sudo systemctl stop minecraft to stop it and sudo systemctl start minecraft to start it again.

Open the Minecraft port without exposing everything

Java servers normally use TCP port 25565 when configured with the default server-port. Open the port in Ubuntu’s firewall after allowing SSH:

sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status verbose

If you change server-port, update the firewall rule and tell players to use the matching port. A connection can be blocked at several layers, so check all that apply:

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  1. The provider’s cloud firewall or security group allows the port.
  2. Ubuntu’s firewall allows the port.
  3. Minecraft is listening on that port and the expected interface.
  4. Any proxy or tunnel in front of the server forwards it correctly.

DigitalOcean describes cloud firewall functionality for Droplets on its Droplets product page; firewall features and rules differ by provider. Do not expose SSH, databases, RCON or an administrative panel to the entire internet without a clear need and appropriate restrictions. If you enable RCON, use a strong password and limit access by source IP where possible; RCON is not an encrypted administrative channel.

Control who can join and administer the world

For a private server, enable the whitelist in the console and add known player names:

whitelist on
whitelist add PlayerName

Grant operator status only to trusted administrators, using the console:

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op PlayerName
  • Keep a private server whitelisted.
  • Use a permissions plugin for a larger community rather than giving every moderator full operator privileges.
  • Keep server software, plugins and mods compatible with the same Minecraft version.
  • Treat a public IP as an address, not as a security boundary.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Back up the world and update safely

Create backups you can restore

A backup should cover the world directories and the configuration needed to rebuild the server. Depending on your setup, that includes world, world_nether, world_the_end, server.properties, whitelist.json, ops.json, plugin or mod configuration, and custom scripts.

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Before copying world files, stop the server cleanly or issue save-all flush at the console. A local archive example is:

sudo -iu minecraft mkdir -p /opt/minecraft/backups
sudo -iu minecraft tar -czf 
  /opt/minecraft/backups/minecraft-$(date +%F-%H%M).tar.gz 
  -C /opt/minecraft/server 
  world world_nether world_the_end server.properties whitelist.json ops.json

Keep another copy somewhere separate from the server. A local archive cannot protect against disk failure, account compromise or provider loss. Restore a backup on a temporary server periodically to verify it actually works. Provider snapshots can supplement application-aware backups, but should not replace them.

Update without risking the live world

  1. Announce maintenance and stop the server with stop.
  2. Make and verify a backup; record the current game and server-software versions.
  3. Download the new server file from the official source, keeping the old file until the new build is confirmed.
  4. Check and update mods, plugins and loaders for compatibility.
  5. Start the server and inspect logs for migration errors; test logins, world loading and essential features.
  6. Keep a rollback copy. Some game updates migrate world data, which can complicate returning to an older version.

Versioned JAR filenames make rollback easier. For example, keep separate files such as server-1.21.x.jar and server-1.21.y.jar, then point your launch configuration at the intended version.

Diagnose connection failures, crashes and lag

The server cannot find the JAR

“Unable to access jarfile” commonly means the filename or working directory is wrong, the download failed or permissions prevent access. Check the directory and actual filename:

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pwd
ls -lh

Run Java with the exact filename, or rename the file and use that name consistently in the service.

The server says the EULA is not accepted

Check the file with cat eula.txt. Set eula=true only after reading and agreeing to the EULA.

The server reports an unsupported class version

The installed Java runtime may be too old for the server file. Run java -version and install the Java release required by that Minecraft version or mod loader.

Players cannot connect

Check the service, listener and host firewall first:

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sudo systemctl status minecraft
sudo ss -ltnp | grep 25565
sudo ufw status

Then verify the public IP and port, provider firewall, server’s listening address and DNS record. If the VM has no publicly reachable address or sits behind CGNAT or a private-only network, opening the host firewall alone will not make it reachable.

Players time out during a new world’s startup

Initial world generation can take several minutes. DigitalOcean warns that its particular Minecraft Droplet may take approximately five minutes to generate a world after deployment; that is a provider-specific note, not a universal startup time. Check logs before rebooting a server that may still be generating terrain.

The server crashes after a mod or plugin change

  • Remove the most recently added component and inspect the crash report and logs/latest.log.
  • Confirm exact Minecraft-version and loader compatibility.
  • Restore the last known-good backup if needed.
  • Do not mix Java plugins with Bedrock server software.

There is lag despite available RAM

More memory will not fix every bottleneck. Check sustained tick time, per-core CPU load and VPS CPU steal time, storage latency, free disk space, network latency, chunk generation, entity counts, view and simulation distances, and plugin or mod behavior. Useful responses include lowering distances, pregenerating terrain, reducing simultaneous chunk generation, profiling or removing costly components, and moving from shared CPU to dedicated CPU. For a server running multiple services, separating the game process from proxies, databases or web tools can also reduce competition.

The normal Minecraft target is 20 ticks per second, or about 50 ms per tick. Sustained tick times beyond that budget indicate the server is falling behind; brief spikes are not the same as persistent overload. Measure the workload before adding RAM or changing hardware.

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Know when a VPS is no longer enough

Stay on shared CPU when

  • The server is private, has a few players and runs vanilla or light customization.
  • Some performance variation is acceptable and keeping costs down matters.
  • You want a straightforward way to learn server administration.

Move to dedicated CPU when

  • Performance problems coincide with CPU contention or high CPU steal time.
  • You still fit within a virtual machine and want more consistent CPU availability.
  • You want the flexibility to resize or migrate without committing to a physical server.

DigitalOcean’s plan guidance separates Basic shared-CPU instances from dedicated-CPU General Purpose and CPU-Optimized plans. That provider’s description is not a guarantee that every dedicated-vCPU offer elsewhere works the same way.

Choose bare metal when

  • A large player base, heavy modpack, multiple worlds or several server instances place sustained pressure on resources.
  • You need substantial RAM or more predictable physical CPU capacity.
  • The community or business justifies the fixed cost and you can handle system maintenance, backups and migration risk.

OVHcloud markets a specific bare-metal Minecraft offering with dedicated resources, NVMe storage, 1 Gbps bandwidth and integrated game DDoS protection. These are claims about that advertised product, not features of every dedicated server; check the current product terms before relying on them.

Choose managed hosting when

A managed Minecraft host may suit you if a control panel, support familiar with game-server issues, simpler restarts or modpack installation matters more than root access and full system control. Check whether the provider supports your exact mod loader, backup needs, ports and custom software before committing.

Make the decision from measured performance

Start with a right-sized VPS for a small server, keep it patched and backed up, and monitor tick performance, memory, disk and CPU contention. Upgrade to dedicated CPU when measurements show the virtual machine’s CPU allocation is the constraint; move to physical hardware when the workload or need for predictable capacity justifies its cost and administration. Choose managed hosting instead when avoiding server administration is more important than infrastructure control.

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