Minecraft is too fun to play alone. If you want to create a multiplayer game, you’ll need to connect to a server. To connect to a server, you need to consider everything you’ll need, starting from hardware requirements and all the way to security and upgrades.

In the end, you’ll be releasing your server to the public, so you need to be mindful of all the needed requirements.

Starting a server isn’t hard per se, but it takes some patience to get everything. Here’s how to start a Minecraft server with the least effort.

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Minecraft is Java-based, so you need to download Java in order to create a server. Not only that, but you also need to have the latest version of it. To proceed with the steps, you’ll need to download the Java Edition server of Minecraft.

Step 1: Verify Java’s Latest Version

You can get your server files for free from the official site. All you have to do is go to the Downloads page, then download the server. The server’s name changes with each update. Now, it’s 1.17.1.jar, but it may be updated when you get here. Follow the same instructions, only changing the server’s name.

After downloading the server, copy it into a new folder, calling it ‘Minecraft Server.’ You’re creating the folder because once you run the server, new files will appear.

Step 2: Download Server Files

Once you create the folder, right-click on the server file, then click New > Text Document. When the document shows up, name it ‘Run,’ and paste this command inside: Java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.17.1.jar nogui. Again, the line changes according to the current update of the server.

Next, save the document as a batch file to allow Windows to run your command line. Call it ‘Run.bat,’ and make sure to remove the .txt extension at the name’s end.

Step 3: Run the Server

After you create the Run.bat file, double click on it to launch your server. When you click on it, a window will show up with a lot of information about the server.

This window will show how much memory the Minecraft server is consuming. Plus, you’ll be able to see the messages and chats, along with the connected players in the Players panel. There’s also a field on the window’s bottom right that allows you to enter commands and run them.

Step 4: Launch the Server

Now that you’re done with the main steps of launching the server, it’s time to join it. First, run the game, then go for the main menu and click on Multiplayer. You’ll find Add Server; click on it and create a name for the server.

In the Address field, write ‘localhost,’ then click on Done. Afterward, choose the server and click on Join Server. This way, you’re able to play using the server. To allow other players to connect through the internet, follow the next steps.

Step 5: Join Your Server

Port forwarding the router is essential to allow other players to connect, but it varies according to the type of router you have. Luckily for you, there are detailed instructions for every type of router there is on Portforward.

If you can’t find the exact type of your router, you can search the web using its model number. If you don’t find any data, you can resort to calling the manufacturer’s customer support and ask for help.

Step 6: Port Forward Your Router

Finding your external IP address is pretty easy because Google will find it for you. All you have to do is go to Google’s search bar and type ‘external IP.’ Then, press Enter, and Google will come up with the IP address. Save the address’ number for later use.

Step 7: Find Your External IP Address

After you finish port forwarding your router, you can invite other players to play using your server. For this step, you’ll need the IP address you just got from Google.

To start, open Minecraft and choose Multiplayer from the main menu. Then, click Add server, and enter your server name. Afterward, you’ll need to enter your server address, which is the external IP address followed by the port number.

If your external IP address is IPv6, you’ll need to surround your address by [ ], then provide the port number.

After that, click on Done, and Minecraft will connect to your server. When the connection is established, click on the server name, and click on Join Server.

To invite your friends to play, you’ll need to give them your external IP address. That’s why you need to make sure you trust the invited players. If you’re a parent, make sure to check the friends your kid is inviting to play with because the server will be open to the public.

Step 8: Invite Other Players to Connect

After you create your server and invite other players to join, you can start adjusting its settings to improve your playing experience. To do so, visit the folder you created for the server on your computer, and open the file called Server properties. 

Open it using a text editor, and start editing the lines inside to make changes to the game. For example, you can put your server in the creative game mode by changing gamemode=0 to gamemode=1.

You can also change the number of max players that can join your game using max-players=X.

Minecraft Wiki has plenty of guides regarding server properties; you can use them to know what you’re doing. Bear in mind that this step is unnecessary to the creation of the server; it’s only meant to improve your experience.

Step 9: Adjust the Server’s Settings

As you can see, creating a Minecraft server isn’t a hard job. You only need to follow the steps closely to avoid mistakes. Once you start doing it, you’ll find that it’s actually a breezy task. 

How To Start a Minecraft Server in 9 Steps

Step 1: Verify Java’s Latest Version

Step 2: Download Server Files

Step 3: Run the Server

Step 4: Launch the Server

Step 5: Join Your Server

Step 6: Port Forward Your Router

Step 7: Find Your External IP Address

Step 8: Invite Other Players to Connect

Step 9: Adjust the Server’s Settings

Conclusion

How To Start a Minecraft Server in 9 Steps

Step 1: Verify Java’s Latest Version

Step 2: Download Server Files

Step 3: Run the Server

Step 4: Launch the Server

Step 5: Join Your Server

Step 6: Port Forward Your Router

Step 7: Find Your External IP Address

Step 8: Invite Other Players to Connect

Step 9: Adjust the Server’s Settings

Conclusion

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