How to Host a Minecraft Server on Your Computer

Hello Dev, are you interested in hosting your own Minecraft server on your computer? This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to get your server up and running in no time! By hosting your own server, you’ll have full control over the game, allowing you to customize the experience for you and your friends. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Setting up Your Computer

Before you can begin to host a Minecraft server on your computer, you need to ensure that your computer meets the necessary requirements. Here are the minimum requirements:

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

Step 2: Downloading Minecraft Server Software

The next step is to download the Minecraft server software. You can download the server software from the official Minecraft website at minecraft.net/en-us/download/server. Once you’ve downloaded the software, extract the files to a folder on your computer. You can name this folder whatever you like.

Step 3: Setting Up Your Server

Now that you have the server software downloaded and extracted, it’s time to set up your server. Follow these steps:

Step 3.1: Configuring Server Settings

The first step is to configure the server settings. Open the server.properties file in a text editor, and make any necessary changes. Here are some useful settings:

• max-players: This sets the maximum number of players that can join your server.
• difficulty: This sets the difficulty of the game (peaceful, easy, normal, or hard).
• gamemode: This sets the default game mode (survival, creative, or adventure).

Step 3.2: Port Forwarding

In order for other players to join your server, you need to set up port forwarding. This will allow players to connect to your server over the internet. The specific steps for port forwarding will depend on your router, so consult your router’s manual or look up instructions online.

Step 3.3: Starting the Server

To start the server, run the server.jar file. You can do this by double-clicking the file, or by running the following command in a terminal window:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

The “Xmx” and “Xms” settings control the amount of memory allocated to the server. You can adjust these values as necessary.

Step 4: Connecting to Your Server

Now that your server is up and running, it’s time to connect to it! Follow these steps:

Step 4.1: Finding Your IP Address

In order to connect to your server, you need to know your computer’s IP address. You can find this by running the following command in a terminal window:

ipconfig

Look for the “IPv4 Address” entry, and make a note of the number.

Step 4.2: Connecting to Your Server

Open Minecraft and click on “Multiplayer”. Click “Add Server” and enter a name for your server. In the “Server Address” box, enter your IP address followed by “:25565” (e.g. 192.168.0.1:25565). Click “Done” and then click on your server to join!

FAQ

Can I run a Minecraft server on a Mac or Linux?

Yes! The steps for setting up a server are largely the same regardless of your operating system. Just make sure you download the appropriate server software for your system.

How many players can join my Minecraft server?

The number of players that can join your server depends on the settings in the server.properties file. By default, the maximum number of players is 20.

Do I need to keep my computer running in order to keep the server up?

Yes, you will need to keep your computer running in order to keep the server up. You can close the server console window, but the server will continue to run in the background.

Can I customize the game settings on my server?

Yes! You can customize a wide range of game settings through the server.properties file, including difficulty, game mode, and more.

Do I need to pay for a Minecraft server?

No, you do not need to pay for a Minecraft server if you host it on your own computer. However, hosting a server on a dedicated server or through a hosting provider may incur a cost.

That’s it, Dev! You’re now ready to host your own Minecraft server on your computer. Enjoy!