How to Host a Minecraft Server on Your PC

Welcome, Dev! In this article, you will learn how to host a Minecraft server on your PC for you and your friends to play together. It might sound complicated, but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. By the end of this article, you’ll have your very own Minecraft server running on your PC!

Step 1: Check Your PC’s Specifications

Before you start hosting your Minecraft server on your PC, you need to make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements to run a server. The following are the minimum requirements:

Requirement
Minimum
Operating System
Windows 7 or later / macOS 10.12 Sierra or later / Linux
CPU
Intel Core i3-3210 / AMD A8-7600 APU or equivalent
RAM
2GB
Storage
At least 1GB free space

If your PC meets these requirements, then you’re good to go!

Step 2: Download and Install Java

Minecraft servers require Java to run, so you need to download and install Java if you haven’t already. You can download Java from the official website, java.com. Make sure you download the version that matches your PC’s operating system.

FAQ:

Do I need to install Java if I already have it installed?

If you already have Java installed, skip this step and proceed to the next one.

What version of Java should I download?

You should download the version that matches your PC’s operating system. If you’re not sure which version to download, check your PC’s system information.

Step 3: Download and Install Minecraft Server

Now that you have Java installed, you need to download and install the Minecraft server software. You can download the server software from the official Minecraft website, minecraft.net. Make sure you download the server version that matches your Minecraft game version.

FAQ:

Do I need to buy Minecraft to host a Minecraft server?

No, you don’t need to buy Minecraft to host a Minecraft server. However, you do need a valid Minecraft account to download the server software.

What server version should I download?

You should download the server version that matches your Minecraft game version. You can check your game version in the Minecraft launcher.

Step 4: Configure Your Server Settings

Before you start your Minecraft server, you need to configure your server settings. The server settings are stored in the server.properties file, which is located in the same directory as the server software.

Open the server.properties file with a text editor and modify the settings to your liking. Here are some of the most important settings:

Setting
Description
Default Value
server-ip
The IP address your server will use to connect to the internet.
Blank (auto-detect)
server-port
The port number your server will use to listen for incoming connections.
25565
max-players
The maximum number of players that can be on the server at once.
20
level-name
The name of the world file.
world

Save the server.properties file after you’ve made your changes.

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Step 5: Start Your Minecraft Server

Now that you’ve configured your server settings, it’s time to start your Minecraft server! To start your server, double-click the server.jar file in the same directory as the server software. A console window should appear, and your Minecraft server should start running.

FAQ:

Why can’t I connect to my Minecraft server?

If you can’t connect to your Minecraft server, make sure you’ve forwarded the server port on your router and that your firewall isn’t blocking incoming connections.

Step 6: Invite Your Friends to Join Your Server

Now that your Minecraft server is up and running, it’s time to invite your friends to join your server! To connect to your server, your friends need to launch Minecraft, click on Multiplayer, and then click on Add Server. They need to enter your server IP and port number, and then click Done. They should now see your server in their server list, and they can connect to it by clicking on its name.

FAQ:

How do I find my server IP?

You can find your server IP by typing “what is my IP” into Google. Alternatively, you can use a website like ipchicken.com to find your IP.

What if my friends can’t connect to my server?

If your friends can’t connect to your server, make sure they’ve entered the correct IP and port number, and that your server is up and running. You can also check your router settings to make sure the server port is forwarded correctly.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You’ve successfully hosted your own Minecraft server on your PC. Now you can play Minecraft with your friends whenever you want! If you have any questions or run into any problems, feel free to leave them in the comments below.