How to set up your own Minecraft server at home

Creating your own Minecraft server on Ubuntu Server is an excellent way to have full control over your game world and play with friends. This guide will walk you through the detailed steps.

How to Set Up a Minecraft Server on Ubuntu Server (Headless)

This guide assumes you have a fresh installation of Ubuntu Server (LTS recommended) and basic command-line knowledge.

Prerequisites:

Ubuntu Server: A running instance of Ubuntu Server (e.g., 22.04 LTS or newer).
SSH Access: (Optional, but recommended) Access your server via SSH from another computer.
Sufficient Hardware:
- CPU: At least 2-4 cores (more for many players/heavy mods).
- RAM: Minimum 4GB (8GB+ recommended for performance and future expansion).
- Storage: 20GB+ SSD (SSD is highly recommended for performance).
- Network: Stable internet connection with good upload speeds.

Step 1: Update Your System

It’s always a good practice to update your server packages to the latest versions.

Bash

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Java

Minecraft servers require Java to run. OpenJDK is the recommended choice.

Bash

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless -y

Note: Minecraft versions have specific Java requirements.
- Minecraft 1.17+ requires Java 16 or newer.
- Minecraft 1.18+ requires Java 17 or newer.
- Minecraft 1.20+ (current) typically uses Java 17 or Java 21. Java 17 is a safe bet for most current versions.

Verify Java installation:

Bash

java -version

You should see output similar to openjdk version "17.0.X".

Step 3: Create a Minecraft Server User (Recommended)

Running the server as a dedicated, non-root user enhances security.

Bash

sudo adduser minecraft
sudo usermod -aG sudo minecraft # Optional: Grant sudo access if needed for user, but generally avoid for security

Switch to the minecraft user:

Bash

su - minecraft

From now on, you’ll be operating as the minecraft user unless specified.

Step 4: Create Server Directory and Download Minecraft Server JAR

Create a dedicated directory for your server files.

Bash

mkdir minecraft_server
cd minecraft_server

Now, download the official Minecraft server JAR file. You can find the download link on the official Minecraft website (minecraft.net/download/server). Replace YOUR_MINECRAFT_VERSION.jar with the actual file name.

Example for Minecraft 1.20.6:

Bash

wget https://piston-data.mojang.com/v1/objects/141077736f87532EEF311f938c928b57BCb97956/server.jar

Tip: Always check the official Minecraft website for the latest server.jar download URL.

Step 5: Accept the EULA (End User License Agreement)

The first time you try to run the server, it will fail and create an eula.txt file. You must accept the EULA to proceed.

Attempt to run the server (this will fail and create eula.txt):
Bash
```
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui
```
(You can press Ctrl+C after you see the EULA message to stop it.)
Edit the EULA file:
Bash
```
nano eula.txt
```
Change eula=false to eula=true.
Save and exit Nano: Press Ctrl+O, then Enter, then Ctrl+X.

Step 6: Configure and Run the Minecraft Server

Now you can run the server with your desired memory allocation. The -Xmx and -Xms flags define the maximum and initial memory allocation for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Bash

java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui

Explanation:
- -Xmx4G: Sets the maximum RAM to 4 Gigabytes.
- -Xms4G: Sets the initial RAM to 4 Gigabytes.
- server.jar: The name of your Minecraft server JAR file.
- nogui: Runs the server without a graphical user interface (essential for a headless server).

The server will start generating the world. This can take a few minutes. Once it says Done!, your server is running.

To stop the server: Type stop in the console and press Enter. This ensures a clean shutdown and saves the world data.

Step 7: Keep the Server Running in the Background (Using screen)

If you close your SSH session, the server will stop. To keep it running, use a terminal multiplexer like screen.

Install screen:
Bash
```
sudo apt install screen -y
```
(You might need to exit the minecraft user and sudo apt install screen -y as your main user, then su - minecraft back).
Start a new screen session:
Bash
```
screen -S minecraft_server
```
You’ll now be inside a new screen session.
Run your Minecraft server command inside the screen session:
Bash
```
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui
```
Detach from the screen session (server keeps running): Press Ctrl+A, then D. You’ll see a message like [detached from ...] and return to your main terminal.
To reattach to the screen session (to see the server console):
Bash
```
screen -r minecraft_server
```
To stop the server (from within the screen session): Type stop and press Enter. Then, you can type exit to close the screen session.

Step 8: Configure Firewall (UFW)

You need to open the Minecraft server port (default 25565) in your server’s firewall (UFW – Uncomplicated Firewall).

Install UFW (if not already installed):
Bash
```
sudo apt install ufw -y
```
Allow SSH (so you don’t lock yourself out):
Bash
```
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
```
Allow Minecraft server port:
Bash
```
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
```
Enable UFW:
Bash
```
sudo ufw enable
```
Confirm with y and Enter.
Check UFW status:
Bash
```
sudo ufw status
```
You should see 25565/tcp and OpenSSH listed as ALLOW Anywhere.

Step 9: Port Forwarding on Your Router

This is the most crucial step for allowing external players to connect. You need to configure your home router to forward incoming connections on port 25565 (or whatever port you set in server.properties) to your Ubuntu server’s local IP address.

Find your server’s local IP address:
Bash
```
ip a
```
Look for the IP address next to inet under your network interface (e.g., eth0 or enpXsY). It will typically be something like 192.168.1.X or 10.0.0.X.
Access your router’s administration page: Open a web browser and type in your router’s default gateway IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with your router’s credentials.
Locate “Port Forwarding” settings: This varies greatly between router models. Look under sections like “NAT,” “Virtual Servers,” “Firewall,” or “Advanced Settings.”
Create a new port forwarding rule:
- External Port / Port Range: 25565
- Internal Port: 25565
- Internal IP Address: Your Ubuntu server’s local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
- Protocol: TCP (sometimes TCP/UDP or Both is an option, TCP is sufficient for Minecraft).
- Enable/Save: Apply the changes.

Step 10: Connect to Your Server!

Find your public IP address: Go to a website like whatismyipaddress.com from a browser on any computer to find your home’s public IP address.
Launch Minecraft: In the Minecraft game client, click “Multiplayer.”
Add Server:
- Server Name: (Anything you like, e.g., “My Awesome Server”)
- Server Address: Your public IP address (e.g., 123.45.67.89).
Join Server!

Optional: Customize server.properties

You can stop the server (stop command in the screen session), then edit the server.properties file to customize your server.

Bash

nano server.properties

Some common settings you might want to change:

motd=A Minecraft Server (Message of the Day – what players see in the server list)
gamemode=survival (survival, creative, adventure, spectator)
difficulty=easy (peaceful, easy, normal, hard)
max-players=20 (maximum number of players)
online-mode=true (set to false to allow cracked clients, NOT RECOMMENDED as it bypasses Mojang’s authentication and offers no player security)
level-name=world (name of the world folder)
allow-flight=true (allows creative flight)

Save changes (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X) and restart the server.

Troubleshooting Tips:

Cannot connect:
- Check firewall (UFW) on the server.
- Verify port forwarding on your router.
- Ensure the Minecraft server is actually running.
- Double-check your public IP address.
- Restart your router and server.
Server Lag:
- Increase RAM allocated to the server (-Xmx and -Xms flags).
- Consider using PaperMC or Purpur instead of Vanilla server.jar for better performance.
- Reduce view distance in server.properties.
- Check server logs for errors or warnings.
Java Version: Ensure your Java version matches the Minecraft server’s requirements.