How To Create A Minecraft Server On Your PC
If you've ever wanted to create your very own always-online Minecraft world to share with friends, we've got everything you need to know about how to make a Minecraft server right here.
Why should you care about servers? What if you could run around on a zombie-infested island. You could even create a server full mini-games. Better yet, why not create a massive player versus player hellscape with no rules? The sky is the limit!
Or you might just want to grab some friends and get building. You can let them continue their builds while your server is up and running. Nothing beats logging back in the following day to see all the new shacks and gizmos your friends have created. So read on to learn how to make your very own Minecraft server.
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1. Java Update
To kick things off we need to make sure we're running the latest version of Java. Thankfully, this is really easy. Go to the Java website (opens new tab) and click on "verify Java version". That will check to see which version you're running and set you up with the latest should you be running an older version.
2. Downloading the Minecraft server file
Make a folder on your desktop named 'Minecraft Server'. Next, go to the Minecraft website (opens in new tab) and click on the 'Minecraft_server.1.15.2.jar' link to download the server file.
Move this file to your Minecraft Server folder and double click on it to run it.
Note: If you're on the Chrome browser, it will likely say this is a virus. It is not a virus because it comes from the official Minecraft website. We are.
3. How to create a batchfile to start the server
Upon running the Java file, you should see loads of new files in your Minecraft Server folder. To make everything work, you must first accept the EULA terms. Open Notepad to find the file EULA. Search for the line 'eula=false' and change it to 'eula=true' then hit save.
Now, let's get to the fun stuff. Open up a new Notepad file. Copy the text below and paste it into the new, empty Notepad file:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.15.2.jar nogui pause
You see that bolded bit? Next, change that file name to match the Java file you downloaded via the Minecraft website. In our case, it was 'server.jar', so our text line would be:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui pause
Close the Notepad file. Next, rename this Notepad file as 'ServerStart.bat’ (without the quotation marks).
If all went off without a hitch, double-clicking this file should launch your Minecraft server via a CMD window (also known as a command window). To end the server, go into the command window and type 'stop'. Easy, right?
4. Joining the Minecraft server
Load Minecraft to play multiplayer if the server is running on the same computer. Click on 'direct connect' and you should see a box asking for a server address. This next part is quite complex so make sure you read it carefully. Enter '0' in the box and hit 'join Server'.
5. Everything else you need to know about creating a Minecraft server
Before you begin to build your own online world, here are some things to remember.
If you want to customize your world, the text file 'server properties' in the Minecraft Server folder can be tweaked to your liking.
If you want to invite friends outside your house to join your server, the code they will need is your IPv4 plus some additional digits.
Search "what is my IPv4 Number?" Plussoc to find out your IPv4 number. Google. Each IPv4 number identifies a computer. Yours will be unique.
You should get something like 100.20.511.329 (I made this one up, by the way).
Add a colon after '25565 to your IPv4 so that you end up with the following:
100.20.511.329:25565
Your version of the above number is your server address other players will need to enter when joining.
You will need to forward router ports to allow access by other parties in order to allow players to join. YouTuber Voizdev (opens in new tab) has a great explanation and walkthrough on this should you find yourself a little confused.