How to Set up a Minecraft Server with Plugins or Mods (Ubuntu Server)

In this video, I show you how to set up a Minecraft server with either plugins or mods, on Ubuntu Server.
*Because of the way plugins and mods are implemented on Minecraft Server, there is no way to have support for both plugins and mods on the same server; you must choose one or the other. Also, if you are setting up a server with mods, unlike with plugins, Minecraft Forge, as well as the mods on your server, will also need to be installed on each of your players' computers.

*If you are using Windows or Mac, you will need to use a third-party SFTP client in order to transfer files between your computer and your server.

Disclaimer: When installing Ubuntu Server, make absolutely sure that you select the correct target drive in the installer, and that there is nothing on the target drive that you need, because it WILL BE ERASED!

Prerequisites:
1. A spare computer (to install Ubuntu Server on, and to act as the server)
2. A flash drive (at least 2 GB)
3. A network connection for your server (preferably Ethernet, but Wi-Fi will do)

Links:

Commands:
Check for updates: sudo apt update
Install updates: sudo apt upgrade
Enable the firewall: sudo ufw enable
Open a port (to your local network): sudo ufw allow [port]/[protocol (optional)] (example: sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp)
Create a directory: mkdir [directory name] (example: mkdir minecraft-spigot-server)
Install Java: sudo apt install openjdk-21-jre (note: this may change in the future)
Download a file directly to your server: wget [link to file] (example: wget 𝚑𝚝𝚝𝚙𝚜://𝚑𝚞𝚋.𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚖𝚌.𝚘𝚛𝚐/𝚓𝚎𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚜/𝚓𝚘𝚋/𝙱𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚃𝚘𝚘𝚕𝚜/𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚂𝚞𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚏𝚞𝚕𝙱𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍/𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚝/𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝/𝙱𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚃𝚘𝚘𝚕𝚜.𝚓𝚊𝚛)
Stop the Minecraft server: stop
Shut down the server: sudo poweroff
Restart the server: sudo reboot

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[DrewHowdenTech]

NOTE: The instructions in this video for transferring files from your PC to your server are for Linux. If you’re on Windows, you will need to use an SFTP client, such as WinSCP.

[Sam-efgz]

Bro, you're awesome! I've been trying to do this non-stop for two days straight, lol. Couldn't find any videos on it either.

[grimehollow]

For newer versions you may need to install Java 21, I am running 1.20.6 for example, therefore, to do that simply run: 'sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk'.

[lilGyros]

best tutorial on yt
i had no start.sh file so i just used the same command i used to start the spigot server in order to start the forge server

thank u man <3

[iang]

For some reason, the most recent version of spigot, as of 6-17-24, doesn't have a version .jar file. I fixed this by just downgrading to 1.20.1, instead of the more recent 1.21.

[SusanAmberBruce]

Brilliant video thanks, saw so many vids on how to set up a GUI server but finally found some good and concise help on setting up a headless server for minecraft with your video.

[connerhoang]

You have saved me hours of research! thankyou so much for sharing you expertise and helping me through creating my server!!

[wangjh]

May I ask how to switch the java and linux shells, leave the server command interface and let the server continue to execute. And let the server continue to execute in the logged out state. Thanks

[peksn]

could I set up the server in my normal laptop using a gui to automatically install the mods i want etc, snd then ftp the whole server files to the u untu server and run it there? or are there config that would be misconfigured since I changed the computer it's running on?

[DraconicMaker]

9:16 stuck here. I can’t get my client to connect up to my server for ssh, it keeps on timing out. They are on the same internet

[oknotok]

everything was going so well until i was stuck at the mods transfer to the forge server part (26:55), i used a modpack (prominence 2) to transfer into the mods folder but for some reason its not letting me run the server after using the ./run.sh command... any advice on what might be causing the problem?

[JonathanRiggsisyourfriend]

Excellent detailed tutorial. I'd love to find a comparable resource for a private Bedrock server on Ubuntu server.

[lilnug]

Solution to the folks having issues on 1.21:

Beginning with the release of 1.21, Mojang requires Java 21 or later. Additionally it must be a JDK AND NOT JRE.

So when you write out the command to install Java all you have to do is type 17 instead of 21, and jdk instead of jre. Additionally, fire the BuildTools file with arguments —nogui —version latest.

Hope this helps!

[mrjacy]

What if I wanted a skyfatory or specific modded server from curseforge how Duse a person do it ?

[claudiututu]

Can you make a video in which you show how to put a map that we want on our ubuntu Minecraft server ?

[EnigmaticBehavior]

I want to install Fabric Minecraft onto the server which I already played on for a couple of weeks (Vanilla one), do I have to reset everything?

[dj]

got it all set up but its very laggy like cant break blocks for a will then once I can it takes a sec for the item to drop how can I optimize the server

[a.ihsanyksl]

after i do everything it says "server refused our key" when i try to transfer the plugin file to my server from filezilla with sftp. Have it to do with this tutorial? can you guys please help me?

[hendrickparra]

Amazing video!!! I’m looking forward to create a Minecraft server for me and my friends with some MODS. I would like your help to check the best option. I currently don’t have any secondary PC so I’m looking to set it up in the cloud, which service and specs do you recommend using, keeping in mind I’m planning to have 50 users, and I want it running 24/7.

[tuptustv]

Hello I have a question when i leave the minecraft consol by using alt + left arrow how can i return to see the console? Is there a command or something like that? I use alt + left arrow because ctrl + d doesn't work on my ubuntu server somehow