Install plugins on your Minecraft server

To install a plugin on your Minecraft server, put its .jar file in the plugins folder and restart the server. In the game panel that takes a few clicks under Plugins, or you can upload the file yourself. Plugins run on Paper, the software your Minecraft Java server uses by default.

Which server software do you need for plugins?

Plugins work on Paper, Purpur and Spigot. Your server starts on Paper, so usually there’s nothing to set up. If you switch to Fabric or NeoForge for mods, plugins stop working. You change software under Versions, as explained in Change your server version.

How do you install a plugin from the game panel?

1. Make a backup under Backups first, so you can roll back if a plugin misbehaves.
2. Open Plugins, under the Minecraft heading. This is the Plugin Manager.
3. Pick a source under Providers, such as Modrinth, Hangar or SpigotMC, and search for your plugin.
4. Leave Server Loaders on PaperMC and choose your Minecraft version under Versions, so you only see plugins that fit.
5. Click Install. Want a different release of the plugin? Click Versions next to it first.
6. A message confirms the plugin is in your plugins folder. Restart your server.

Some plugins can only be downloaded from their own website. You’ll then see a Download button that opens that site. Grab the file there and follow the steps below.

How do you upload a plugin by hand?

1. Download the .jar file. PaperMC recommends Hangar, and Modrinth is another well-known source.
2. Open File managers and go to the plugins folder.
3. Click Upload and select the file. For lots of files at once, SFTP is more comfortable.
4. Restart your server.

How do you check that the plugin works?

Type plugins in the console. Green names have loaded, red ones haven’t. If your plugin isn’t listed, look in the console for a line with ERROR from around startup; it usually says why. On first start, many plugins create their own folder with a config.yml, such as plugins/LuckPerms. Change the settings there and restart again.

How do you update or remove a plugin?

To update, replace the old .jar with the new version and restart. To remove one, stop your server and delete its file from plugins. You can keep the plugin’s settings folder in case you want it back later.

What are the common mistakes?

• Using /reload. It only half reloads plugins and causes odd errors. Restart the server instead.
• Putting a plugin in a subfolder. Paper only looks in the plugins folder itself.
• A plugin built for another Minecraft version. Check the supported versions on the plugin page.
• A missing dependency. Some plugins need another plugin, such as Vault or ProtocolLib. The plugin page and the console will tell you.

Want a plugin to store its data in a database? See Create a MySQL database for your server. Prefer mods? Head to Install mods and modpacks.