Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Your Minecraft Server

Are you ready to create your own Minecraft world and invite friends to join? Setting up a Minecraft server can be an exciting project, whether you’re looking to host a small group of friends or build a larger community. This guide will walk you through the process, from choosing the right hosting to getting your server up and running.

Choosing the Right Hosting

Before we dive into the technical setup, it’s crucial to choose the right hosting for your Minecraft server. While you can host a server on your own computer, dedicated hosting offers several advantages:

  • 24/7 uptime
  • Better performance
  • No strain on your personal computer
  • Professional support

We recommend Servers Guru for reliable and high-performance Minecraft server hosting. They offer plans tailored specifically for Minecraft, ensuring you get the best experience for your server.

Check out Servers Guru’s Minecraft hosting plans

Setting Up a Minecraft Server on Debian, Ubuntu, or Raspbian

Prerequisites

  • A Debian-based system (Debian, Ubuntu, or Raspbian)
  • Root or sudo access
  • Basic knowledge of terminal commands

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Update Your System

    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

  2. Install Java For Minecraft 1.17+, you need Java 16 or newer. Install OpenJDK 17:

    sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless -y

  3. Create a Minecraft User and Directory

    sudo adduser --system --home /opt/minecraft minecraft
sudo mkdir /opt/minecraft
sudo chown minecraft:minecraft /opt/minecraft

  4. Download the Minecraft Server Jar

    sudo -u minecraft wget -O /opt/minecraft/server.jar https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/c8f83c5655308435b3dcf03c06d9fe8740a77469/server.jar

    Note: Replace the URL with the latest server version from the Minecraft website.

  5. Create a Start Script Create a file named start.sh in /opt/minecraft:

    sudo nano /opt/minecraft/start.sh

    Add the following content:

    #!/bin/bash
cd /opt/minecraft
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

    Make it executable:

    sudo chmod +x /opt/minecraft/start.sh

  6. First Run and EULA Acceptance

    sudo -u minecraft /opt/minecraft/start.sh

    The server will start and stop. Edit eula.txt:

    sudo nano /opt/minecraft/eula.txt

    Change eula=false to eula=true

  7. Create a Systemd Service Create a file named minecraft.service in /etc/systemd/system/:

    sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service

    Add the following content:

    [Unit]
Description=Minecraft Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=minecraft
Nice=1
KillMode=none
SuccessExitStatus=0 1
ProtectHome=true
ProtectSystem=full
PrivateDevices=true
NoNewPrivileges=true
WorkingDirectory=/opt/minecraft
ExecStart=/opt/minecraft/start.sh
ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -p 0 -S minecraft -X eval 'stuff "say SERVER SHUTTING DOWN IN 10 SECONDS. SAVING ALL MAPS..."\015'
ExecStop=/bin/sleep 10
ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -p 0 -S minecraft -X eval 'stuff "save-all"\015'
ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -p 0 -S minecraft -X eval 'stuff "stop"\015'
ExecStop=/bin/sleep 10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

  8. Start the Minecraft Server

    sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start minecraft

  9. Enable Auto-start on Boot

    sudo systemctl enable minecraft

  10. Open Firewall Port If you have a firewall enabled, open port 25565:

    sudo ufw allow 25565

Your Minecraft server should now be running and accessible. Remember to configure server properties in server.properties file as needed.

Optimizing Your Minecraft Server

To ensure the best experience for your players:

  1. Allocate enough RAM to your server (at least 1GB per 10 players)
  2. Keep your server and mods updated
  3. Use a plugin like Paper or Spigot for better performance
  4. Regularly backup your world data

Why Choose Servers Guru for Your Minecraft Server?

  • Optimized for Minecraft: Their servers are specifically configured for optimal Minecraft performance.
  • Easy Setup: Get your server running in minutes with their user-friendly control panel.
  • 24/7 Support: Expert assistance whenever you need it.
  • Scalability: Easily upgrade your plan as your community grows.
  • Automatic Backups: Keep your world safe with regular backups.

Start your Minecraft server journey with Servers Guru today!

Remember, a great Minecraft server starts with great hosting. Whether you’re building a small server for friends or dreaming of a bustling Minecraft community, Servers Guru has the tools and support to make your vision a reality.

Happy crafting!