How to Set Up a Minecraft Server for Multiplayer in 2025

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In 2025, the process of setting up a Minecraft server for multiplayer remains relatively the same, with some improvements and additional features. Whether you’re setting up a server on your own computer or using a third-party hosting service, the essentials remain consistent. However, with newer versions of Minecraft and the evolving server hosting landscape, it’s a good idea to stay up-to-date with the latest server management tools and features.

This guide will help you create a Minecraft multiplayer server for Java Edition in 2025, covering all steps from installation to configuration, including setting up for remote play and adding mods or plugins if desired.

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What You’ll Need:

1. Minecraft Java Edition: The server software works only with the Java version of Minecraft.
2. Java: Minecraft Java Edition requires Java, so make sure you have the latest version installed.
3. Internet Connection: To download files and allow others to connect to your server.
4. A Computer: You can either host on your own PC or rent a server through a hosting provider.

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Step 1: Install Java (If Not Already Installed)

Minecraft requires Java to run the server software. In 2025, Minecraft servers commonly run on Java 17 or later.

Windows:

1. Visit Oracle’s Java Downloads and download the latest JDK (Java Development Kit).
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Mac:

1. Download the latest JDK from Oracle’s website or use Homebrew: brew install openjdk@17

Linux:

1. On Ubuntu/Debian-based systems, use: sudo apt update sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk
2. For other distros, follow the package manager instructions specific to your distribution or use Oracle’s download page.

Check if Java is Installed:

In Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux), type:

java -version

It should show the installed version. If not, revisit the installation steps.

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Step 2: Download the Minecraft Server Software

1. Go to the Official Minecraft Website:
   • Visit the Minecraft Server Download page and download the Minecraft Server .jar file.
2. Choose the Correct Version:
   • Ensure that the version of the server matches the version of Minecraft you want to play (Java Edition).

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Step 3: Create a Folder for Your Server

1. Create a New Folder:
   • Create a folder on your desktop or any directory you prefer (e.g., Minecraft_Server_2025).
2. Move the .jar File:
   • Move the Minecraft server .jar file you downloaded into the folder.

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Step 4: Run the Server for the First Time

Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt:
   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Your Server Folder: Use the cd command to go to the folder where the .jar file is located: cd path\to\Minecraft_Server_2025 (Replace path\to\Minecraft_Server_2025 with your actual folder path.)
3. Run the Server: Enter the following command to start the server: java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
   • -Xmx1024M allocates 1GB of RAM to the server. You can adjust this if you have more RAM (e.g., -Xmx2048M for 2GB).
   • nogui disables the graphical user interface (GUI), making it run more efficiently.

Mac/Linux:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Navigate to your server folder using cd: cd /path/to/Minecraft_Server_2025
3. Run the server with: java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

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Step 5: Accept the EULA

1. After the server starts, it will generate an eula.txt file.
2. Open eula.txt and change eula=false to eula=true to accept the End User License Agreement.
3. Save the file.

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Step 6: Configure the Server

1. Open the server.properties file:
   • This file contains the main server settings, including world name, port, max players, and game mode.
2. Edit Settings:
   • server-port: Default is 25565 (you can change it if necessary).
   • max-players: Adjust this to change the max number of players (e.g., max-players=10).
   • difficulty: Choose between peaceful, easy, normal, or hard.
   • game-mode: Set it to survival, creative, adventure, or spectator.
   • level-name: Change the name of your world if desired (e.g., world_name=MyWorld).
3. Save the file.

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Step 7: Set Up Port Forwarding (For Remote Play)

If you want players outside your local network to join, you’ll need to set up port forwarding.

1. Find Your Local IP Address:
   • Windows: Open Command Prompt and type: ipconfig Look for the IPv4 Address (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
   • Mac/Linux: Use ifconfig or ip a to find your local IP address.
2. Access Your Router:
   • In your web browser, type your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and log in.
3. Set Up Port Forwarding:
   • Forward TCP port 25565 to your local IP address (the one found above).
   • Consult your router’s manual or settings guide for specific instructions on how to forward ports.
4. Test Port Forwarding:
   • After setting up port forwarding, visit CanYouSeeMe to check if port 25565 is open.

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Step 8: Share Your Server with Friends

1. Find Your Public IP Address:
   • Go to a site like WhatIsMyIP to find your public IP.
2. Connect to the Server:
   • For local connections, use your local IP (192.168.x.x:25565).
   • For remote connections, share your public IP address followed by the port number: YourPublicIP:25565.
3. Add the Server in Minecraft:
   • In Minecraft: Go to Multiplayer, click Add Server, and enter your public IP address and port (YourPublicIP:25565).

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Step 9: Optional – Installing Mods or Plugins (Forge/Spigot/Paper)

If you want to enhance your server, you can install mods or plugins for additional features.

Mods (Forge):

1. Download Minecraft Forge from Minecraft Forge’s official site.
2. Install Forge on your server by running the installer, then place mods in the mods folder created by Forge.

Plugins (Spigot/Paper):

1. Download Spigot or Paper from SpigotMC or PaperMC.
2. Install plugins by placing them in the plugins folder in your server directory. Popular plugins include EssentialsX, WorldEdit, Dynmap, etc.

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Step 10: Manage Your Server and Players

1. Server Commands:
   • Use commands like /op [player] to give admin privileges to a player or /ban [player] to ban someone.
   • Use /whitelist to allow only specific players to join.
2. Monitor the Server:
   • Use the console or logs to monitor server performance, detect issues, and respond to player actions.

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Conclusion

Setting up a Minecraft multiplayer server in 2025 is very similar to previous years, but with a few updates and optimizations for newer versions of the game and Java. With the power of mods and plugins, you can customize the server to fit your exact needs. Whether you’re hosting it on your own computer or using a professional hosting service, you now have all the steps you need to enjoy multiplayer Minecraft with friends and players worldwide!

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