How to install plugins on your Minecraft server

Plugins add features like ranks, economy, land claims and minigames. Installing one takes a couple of minutes.

Before you start

Plugins only run on plugin-capable server software: Paper, Purpur or Spigot. They don't work on Vanilla, Forge or Fabric (those use mods instead - see below).

Not sure what you're running? The first lines of the console on startup say Paper, Purpur, Forge and so on. To switch, see Change your Minecraft version or server type.

Install a plugin

  1. Download the plugin's .jar file from a trusted source:
  2. Check that the plugin supports your Minecraft version - it's listed on the download page.
  3. Open the file manager and go into the plugins folder.
  4. Click Upload and select the .jar file.
  5. Restart the server.

Check it loaded

Run this in the console:

plugins

Loaded plugins are listed in green. A red name means it failed - scroll up in the console to see why. The most common causes are a wrong Minecraft version or a missing dependency (another plugin it needs, listed on its download page).

Configure it

After the first start, most plugins create a folder like plugins/EssentialsX/ containing a config.yml. Edit it in the file manager, save, and restart the server.

Installing mods instead (Forge / Fabric)

  1. Make sure the mod matches your loader (Forge or Fabric) and Minecraft version.
  2. Upload the .jar into the mods folder and restart.
  3. Players need the same mods installed on their own game to join.

Still stuck? Open a ticket on Discord - run /ticket in any channel, pick a department, and include your Server ID or Invoice ID so we can jump straight in.