How to run a modded minecraft server

This page will teach the player how to install a Forge server.

1.6 to 1.16.5[]

Text version[]

Firstly, you need the Forge installer, which can be downloaded from the official Forge download page. Once downloaded, launch it and choose option "Install server". If you're installing Forge on a headless server with no graphical interface, run the following command in the directory where you downloaded the jar installer (replace "x.xx.x" with the correct version number for the installer you downloaded):

If you get an error about "Downloading Minecraft server failed, invalid e-tag checksum.", you will need to install a vanilla Minecraft server and then run Forge installer. The vanilla server can be downloaded in its respective page.

If you get an error about "There are already files at the target directory", click on the three dots to choose the current location of your Minecraft server (the video shows this).

Once you started vanilla server (don't forget to change EULA), install Forge and you are done. Now you can launch Forge server by double clicking "forge-version-xx.xx.x.xxxx-version.universal.jar" or using the command below.

Video version[]

This tutorial is intended for Windows users, but may be of some use to users who use other operating systems (Mac, Linux).

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1.5 and prior[]

This tutorial is intended for Windows users, but may be of some use to users who use other operating systems (Mac, Linux)

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you can give the server more memory by changing the 1024 to a multiple of 1024

Notice[]

If the server start text doesn't work then try renaming the SERVER_FILE_NAME to 'SERVER_FILE_NAME.jar' without the apostrophes. Or you could use this server start text instead:

If you receive the "Java is not recognized" message, replace "java" with its file location. (e.g.: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\javaw.exe") The full string would be:

If you receive the "A problem occured running the Server launcher.java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException" message, try downloading and installing JRE 8 and point to it's destination on run. This would look like:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_321\bin\java.exe" -Xmx1G -Xms1G -jar FORGE_FILE_NAME.jar --nogui

Ever since it was released back in 2011, Minecraft has had a strong multiplayer community. The secret behind its lasting appeal in multiplayer circles lies in two of its main features: mods and custom servers.

Community-made mods give players an easy way to customize their Minecraft experience for free. Also, custom server support ensures players can host their own custom, modded games.

Modded Minecraft Server Requirements

Running a modded Minecraft server is only slightly more complex than running a vanilla Minecraft server. The standard requirements for hosting the server on a PC still apply:

• Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU.
• At least 4GB of RAM.
• At least 150MB of HDD storage for server files, plus additional space for storing mods.
• 10 Mbps wired/ethernet internet connection.
• Access to your router’s web interface for port-forwarding.
• Latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

To install mods on your server, you also need:

• Minecraft Forge modding API.
• Mod files.

Note that each mod is only compatible with a specific Minecraft Forge version, so make sure to download and install the right version. For example, the popular Midnight mod can only run on Minecraft Forge version 1.15.2.

How to Make a Modded Minecraft Server: 5 Steps

We’ll now guide you through the process of making a modded Minecraft server.

1. Download and Install Forge Server

1. Find the installer file on your HDD and run it. The default filename format is forge-x.x.x-x.x.xxx-installer.jar
2. Run the installer and select Install server.

1. Choose an installation directory, for example C:\Minecraft Forge Server\
2. Wait for the installation to finish and click OK.

2. Start Forge Server and Accept EULA

1. Navigate to Forge server installation directory, e.g., C:\Minecraft Forge Server\
2. Run the run.bat file. This generates additional files and directories needed to run the server.
3. Open the newly generated eula.txt file in a text editor such as Notepad.
4. Change the line eula=false to eula=true.

1. Run the run.bat file again to check if the server is working.

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3. Download and Install Mods

The best place to download Minecraft mods is the CurseForge website. When downloading a mod, make sure to note which version of Minecraft it requires to run. If you plan on running older mods, players have to downgrade their Minecraft version to join and play.

Installation example for the Midnight mod:

1. Download midnight-0.5.11.jar from CurseForge.
2. Place midnight-0.5.11.jar in C:\Minecraft Forge Server\Mods

4. Port Forward Your Server and Find Your Server IP

Players won’t be able to connect to your server unless you make it visible to the public. To make your server visible online, open the required server ports through your router’s web interface. If you have trouble accessing your router:

1. Browse to PortForward, a website for troubleshooting port-forwarding issues.
2. Select your router model from the list.
3. Follow the instructions on how to access your router.
4. Go to port-forwarding settings.
5. Open the following ports:
   1. TCP: 25565
   2. UDP: 19132-19133, 25565

Players also need to know your server IP to connect to it. The easiest way to find your IP is by googling “what’s my ip” and copying the number shown.

5. Start the Server

To start your modded Minecraft server, run the run.bat file from your server directory, e.g., C:\Minecraft Forge Server\.

You now have a working Minecraft server.

How to Connect to a Modded Minecraft Server

To connect to your modded Minecraft server, players must:

1. Download the Minecraft Forge installer and select Install client.

1. Download any required mods and put them in the Mods directory of their Minecraft installation.
2. Select the appropriate Minecraft Forge installation (e.g., 1.15.2 for Midnight mod) from Minecraft Launcher and start the game.

1. Navigate to Multiplayer in the main menu.
2. Click Add Server.
   1. Choose any name for the server.
   2. Type the server IP address (the number that “what’s my ip” returns in the previous step.)
   3. Click Done.

Common Server Issues

Minecraft server issues are uncommon and are usually easy to resolve. Here is a list of the most common server issues.

1. Incorrect Forge or Mod Version

The Forge server version you’re running might be incompatible with some mods. Make sure to download the right version of Forge you’re trying to run. For example, Midnight mod requires Minecraft 1.15.2 to run, so you need a Minecraft Forge 1.15.2 server installation.

2. Duplicate Mods

Sometimes the server won’t start because of duplicate .jar files in the Mods directory. Make sure to delete or rename the offending files.

3. Missing Dependency

Some mods require other mods to run. If you don’t satisfy those dependencies, your server won’t start. To find out the dependencies for a mod, go to its page on CurseForge, and navigate to the Relations tab. Download and install any missing mod dependencies.

Conclusion

Playing on modded servers is one of the most fun ways to experience Minecraft multiplayer. You get to play on custom Minecraft maps with all your favorite mods enabled. Setting up your own modded server is almost as easy as running a regular one, so give it a try.

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