How do I install mods on my Minecraft server?
How to install mods on your Minecraft server with Fabric: place the server launcher, add Fabric API and upload your mods to the mods folder.
By Hermie Updated
Mods run on a server with a mod loader. The easiest way with us is Fabric: you replace server.jar with the Fabric server launcher and put your mods in the mods folder. Mods only work if players have the same mods in their own Minecraft.
Plugins or mods?
Plugins (for Paper, Purpur and Spigot) only run on the server; players do not need to install anything. Mods change the game itself and usually have to be installed by players too. If you only want extra features such as commands or a whitelist, look at plugins first.
What you need
- A plan that includes mods. You can see which plans do on the Minecraft plans.
- Mods made for the same Minecraft version and the same mod loader (Fabric, Forge or NeoForge). A Forge mod does not work on Fabric and vice versa.
Install Fabric
Make a backup first
Switching server type can change your world. Make a backup first.
- Stop your server with Stop.
- Go to the Fabric server download, choose your Minecraft version and click Executable Server (.jar).
- In the game panel, go to Files, delete
server.jarand upload the Fabric file with Upload. - Rename the Fabric file to
server.jarusing the three dots and Rename. - Check the Java version for your Minecraft version.
- Start your server. On the first start Fabric downloads the files it needs; this can take a moment.
Add mods
- Stop your server.
- Download your mods, for example from Modrinth or CurseForge. Filter on your Minecraft version and on Fabric.
- Also download Fabric API; most Fabric mods need it.
- Upload the
.jarfiles to themodsfolder. If the folder does not exist yet, start your server once or create it with Create Directory. Uploading many mods at once is fastest with SFTP. - Start your server.
Client-only mods
Mods that only change what you see, such as shaders, minimaps or performance mods for your own PC, do not belong on the server. The mod page usually says whether a mod goes on the server, the client or both.
Check
During startup the console shows a line like Loading 12 mods, followed by the names of your mods. If the server crashes, the console shows which mod causes the problem.
Forge or NeoForge
Want to use a mod that only exists for Forge or NeoForge? Open a ticket and we will help you set up that mod loader on your server.
Let players join
Players install the same mod loader and the same mods in their own Minecraft, for example with the Modrinth App or the CurseForge app. Then they join as usual.
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