How to Make a Minecraft Server (Java, Free, Step by Step)

Your own server means your rules: your world online for your friends, with the mods or plugins you want and nobody else. This guide shows how to make a Minecraft server for Java Edition on your own computer, for free, and how to let friends join from anywhere.

What you need

• A computer that can stay on while people play. A server for 2–5 friends needs about 2–4 GB of RAM free and a decent processor.
• Java: recent Minecraft versions need Java 21 or newer, and the newest releases need Java 25. Install a 64-bit JDK from adoptium.net (Temurin is free).
• Access to your router, if friends will join from outside your home.

Step 1: download the server

1. Go to the official page at minecraft.net and download server.jar.
2. Make a new folder, for example Minecraft Server, and move server.jar into it. Everything the server creates (the world, settings, logs) goes in this folder.

Step 2: start it once and accept the EULA

1. Open a terminal in the folder (on Windows: type cmd in the folder's address bar and press Enter).
2. Run:

java -Xmx2G -Xms2G -jar server.jar nogui

3. The server stops at once and creates a file called eula.txt. Open it, change eula=false to eula=true and save. This means you accept Minecraft's End User License Agreement.

Step 3: start the server for real

Run the same command again. The server generates the world; when you see Done in the console, it is ready. Type stop in the console to shut it down safely.

To join from the same computer: open Minecraft, Multiplayer → Add Server, and use the address localhost.

Step 4: let your friends join

Friends on the same network

Find your computer's local address (on Windows run ipconfig and look for IPv4 Address, like 192.168.1.20). Friends at home use that address.

Friends over the internet: port forwarding

1. Open your router's settings page (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Find Port Forwarding (sometimes "Virtual Server" or "NAT").
3. Forward TCP port 25565 to your computer's local address.
4. Allow Java through the Windows firewall when asked.
5. Give your friends your public IP (search "what is my IP"). They add it as a server address.

Some internet providers do not allow forwarding (CGNAT). In that case use a free host like Aternos, or a tunnelling service.

Step 5: set it up and keep it safe

Open server.properties with a text editor. The most useful settings:

Then, in the server console:

• whitelist add Steve — let a friend in.
• op YourName — give yourself admin commands. See the Minecraft commands list.

Plugins and mods

• Paper is a faster server that also runs plugins (protection, homes, economy). Download it from papermc.io and use it instead of server.jar.
• For mods, use a Fabric or Forge server, and every player needs the same mods.

Play on it with Hexa Client

Hexa Client works on any server, including yours, and nothing needs to be installed on the server. With Hexa's party warp, you can bring your whole group of friends into your server at once. Running a public server? Ask to have it featured in the Hexa Client launcher.