Getting started with Minecraft

This guide walks you through setting up your Minecraft server on ServerPrism. You will learn how to order a server, connect to it, configure basic settings, and invite players.

Ordering on ServerPrism

1. Select a plan: Choose a plan that meets your needs. We recommend at least 2 GB of RAM for a small vanilla server, up to 32 GB for large modpacks or many players.
2. Pick a region: Select a server location closest to you and your players for the best performance.
3. Choose your runtime: During the order process, select your desired Minecraft server type (e.g., Vanilla, Paper, Forge, Fabric, or a specific modpack like Cobblemon PokeClash). You can change this later from the ServerPrism panel.
4. Deploy: Complete your order to deploy your server.

First boot

After deployment, your server will start automatically. The first boot can take a few minutes as the server downloads necessary files and generates the world. You can monitor the progress in the ServerPrism panel under the Console tab.

Your server is ready when you see a message similar to [Server thread/INFO]: Done (...)! For help, type "help" in the console.

Connecting / inviting players

Players connect to your Minecraft server using its IP address and port. Your server's connection details are displayed on the Console tab of your ServerPrism panel.

1. Find your server address: It will look like your.server.ip:25565 (25565 is the default Minecraft port).
2. Direct Connect: In Minecraft, go to Multiplayer > Direct Connect, then enter your server address.
3. Add Server: For easier access, add your server to your Minecraft server list by clicking Multiplayer > Add Server, then enter a server name and the server address.
4. Free Subdomain: You can also attach a free subdomain to your server from your ServerPrism customer dashboard, making the address easier to remember (e.g., mycraft.serverprism.link).

Configuration basics

Most core server settings are managed in the server.properties file, located in your server's main directory. You can edit this file using the File Manager in your ServerPrism panel.

Common settings you might want to change:

• motd: The message displayed in the server list. Example: motd=Welcome to My Awesome Server!
• max-players: The maximum number of players allowed. Example: max-players=20
• difficulty: Sets the game difficulty (0=peaceful, 1=easy, 2=normal, 3=hard). Example: difficulty=1
• gamemode: Sets the default gamemode for new players (survival, creative, adventure, spectator). Example: gamemode=survival
• white-list: Set to true to enable a whitelist, allowing only specified players to join. You'll need to manage the whitelist using console commands (e.g., /whitelist add PlayerName).
• level-name: The name of the world folder. Changing this will generate a new world on next restart. Example: level-name=MyNewWorld

After making changes to server.properties, restart your server from the ServerPrism panel for the changes to take effect.

Some advanced settings or modpack-specific configurations might be available as Startup Variables in the ServerPrism panel under the Startup tab. These allow you to change settings without directly editing files.

Common issues

• Server not starting: Check the Console tab for error messages. Common reasons include incorrect configuration, missing files for a modpack, or insufficient RAM. If you see OutOfMemoryError, consider upgrading your plan from the ServerPrism dashboard.
• Players cannot connect: Ensure the server is running and you are using the correct IP address and port. Check if a firewall on your local machine is blocking Minecraft. If you have white-list=true enabled, ensure players are added to the whitelist.
• Lag: Reduce view-distance in server.properties, decrease the number of entities, or consider upgrading your server plan for more RAM and CPU resources.
• Modpack issues: If a modpack isn't loading correctly, verify you selected the correct runtime during setup or switch to the appropriate runtime via the Startup tab. Consult the modpack's documentation for specific requirements.

Next steps

• Install plugins/mods: For Paper/Spigot/Forge/Fabric servers, you can add plugins or mods by uploading them to the plugins or mods folder via the File Manager or SFTP.
• Runtime switching: You can easily switch between different Minecraft server types (e.g., from Vanilla to Paper, or to a different modpack) at any time from the Startup tab in your ServerPrism panel. This allows you to experiment without reordering your server.
• Backups: Regularly back up your server world and configuration files. You can create manual backups from the ServerPrism panel.
• Support: If you encounter persistent issues, open a support ticket at https://serverprism.com/tickets. Include your server ID and relevant console logs for faster assistance.