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How to Make a Minecraft Java Server

By PickaxeKit Editorial Team · Updated 2026-11-08

Install Java 25, download the official server.jar, run it once, set eula=true in eula.txt, then run it again. Friends on your network join with your local IP; friends elsewhere need an open port 25565.

What you need

  • Java 25 for Minecraft 26.3. Older Minecraft versions need older Java: see which Java Minecraft needs.
  • The official server.jar for your version, from the Minecraft Java server download page on minecraft.net.
  • A computer that stays on while people play, with a few GB of free RAM.

Set it up

  1. Make a new folder, for example MinecraftServer, and put server.jar inside.
  2. Open a terminal in that folder and start the server once (command below). It stops and creates eula.txt.
  3. Open eula.txt, read the Minecraft EULA, and change eula=false to eula=true if you agree.
  4. Start the server again. When the console says Done, it is running.
  5. In Minecraft, add a server with the address localhost to join from the same PC.
java -Xms2G -Xmx2G -jar server.jar nogui

-Xmx2G gives the server 2 GB of memory. Raise it for more players or big worlds, but leave memory for your operating system.

Useful server.properties settings

SettingWhat it does
motdThe message shown in the server list
max-playersHow many people can join at once
difficultypeaceful, easy, normal or hard
gamemodesurvival, creative, adventure or spectator for new players
white-listtrue = only players on the whitelist can join
view-distanceHow many chunks are sent to players; lower it if the server lags
server-port25565 by default

Letting friends join

  • Same network: friends join with your computer's local IP address (for example 192.168.1.20).
  • Over the internet: forward TCP port 25565 on your router to your computer and share your public IP, or use a hosting service. Only share your address with people you trust.
  • Turn on the whitelist (/whitelist on, then /whitelist add NAME) for private servers.

Tip: Getting a Java error when you start the server? See how to fix Minecraft Java errors.

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