How To Host a Minecraft Server

INTRODUCTION

Minecraft is a game of adventure and taking creativity to the next level with many different biomes to explore, unique creatures waiting around every corner, and the ability to build and create anything you can imagine! Through the use of a Minecraft server, this journey is expanded further to bring you and your friends together to one place to survive and play together, leading to unforgettable fun.

The endless options you can experience include traversing deep dungeons in hardcore mode, building magical castles and towns, or even taking on the most dangerous boss in the game with your friend group, all of which can be done when you host a Minecraft server. Follow us as we explore Minecraft server hosting on where to get one, what types of servers there are, and how you can create your own Minecraft server!

HOW TO PLAY MINECRAFT WITH FRIENDS TOGETHER

To enjoy and play Minecraft together with your friends, there are multiple ways to accomplish this! You can get a Minecraft server from a server hosting rental such as Nitrado, through Minecraft Realms servers, and through self-hosting the server with LAN on your internet network. We will cover each method you can use to host a Minecraft server!

HOW TO CREATE & HOST A MINECRAFT SERVER

1. Begin by selecting the Minecraft game and version you’d like to host from the Nitrado ordering page. We will also list the recommended Minecraft servers you can get!
   
   • Minecraft (Vanilla) | Minecraft: Java Edition
   • Minecraft (Bukkit / Spigot) | Minecraft: Java Edition
   • Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) | Minecraft: Windows Edition
   • Additionally, there are many Minecraft server options featuring adventure maps, minigames, and more that you can choose from with options like Sky Factory, Diversity 2, and Hexxit 2!
2. After selecting your preferred Minecraft server, press “Choose game” to go to that specific order page.
3. You will now have several server options to choose from. Select the package that best suits your needs taking into consideration the player slots, the RAM, and the cycle of the server.
   
4. After selecting the plan, select the best location for your server and then press “Next” to proceed to the payment area.
   • If you are not signed in or do not yet have an account, you will be asked to “Register now for free” to create your own account.
5. After that, pick your preferred payment method for the server and then click “Charge account” to continue with that server payment.
   
6. Input your payment information (all information is safe and secure) and then click “Continue” to finalize the payment.
7. Immediately after, you will now be able to access your server from that account you created and you will also receive an email with your server information and instructions.

BENEFITS:

• Ordering your own Minecraft server is fast and setup is instant!
• Full access to all files and settings on your Minecraft server.
• A custom panel built by our experts at Nitrado will easy-to-use UI for managing your server settings & files, backups, and worlds.
• Abilities to upgrade/downgrade and cancel your server at any time.
• Support is able to assist you with any questions or issues that arise.
• Servers for Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.

CREATING A LAN MINECRAFT SERVER

Aiming to be self-sufficient, a LAN server provides the potential for you to play with friends on Minecraft by providing the resources and networking for the server overall through your PC and internet. By doing this, you are able to utilize all of the normal settings and files of a Minecraft server! Learn how you can set up your own LAN Minecraft server.

1. Start the Minecraft game and load the single-player world you’d like to host a Minecraft server on.
2. Once that game has started, pause the game and in the “Game Menu”, select the “Open to LAN” option.
   
3. Confirm the options for the “LAN World” and then press “Start LAN World” to continue.
4. A port will now appear within the Minecraft game chat. This will be required for connecting to the server.
   
5. You will also need your network IPv4 address. To gather this:
   • On Windows, use the “Search” option to search for “cmd” and press that to open a command prompt.
   • In the command prompt, type the command “ipconfig”.
   • Your IPv4 address will display like this:
     
6. With that IPv4 address and the port, provide those to your friends on your network and have them open Minecraft, go to Multiplayer, press “Add Server”, and enter the IPv4 address and port here.
   
7. After entering that address, press “Done” and your friends will now be able to see and join your LAN server!
   

BENEFITS:

• Free to set up and play Minecraft with your friends on the same internet network.
• Allows for playing a single-player Minecraft world together.

CONS:

• As LAN requires your internet, this uses your internet resources.
• Only players on your local internet can play together with LAN.
• No control panel or quick options. All editing is handled manually in files.
• No support or assistance if issues arise.

USING MINECRAFT REALMS SERVERS

Available in the Minecraft: Java Edition game client and provided by Mojang Studios, Minecraft Realms provides users with a server that can be accessed across multiple platforms including Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Windows Edition, along with specific consoles if you have the Minecraft Realms Plus subscription.

BENEFITS:

• Fast and simple setup from the game to create a Minecraft server.
• Servers for Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.
• Support for free Minecraft Marketplace content including maps and minigames.
• Realms Plus servers support 150+ Marketplace packs for Bedrock Edition servers.

CONS:

• Limited options on settings, customizations, and optimizations.
• Commands such as Op/Deop cannot be run unless you quit the server first.
• No support for Minecraft plugins or mods.
• Cannot switch versions/must always use the latest version.

TYPES OF MINECRAFT SERVERS

MINECRAFT: JAVA EDITION SERVERS

Powerful and highly customizable, Minecraft: Java Edition servers offer the benefits of being able to implement plugins, mods, networking, and more directly to the server and with Nitrado server hosting, that is all made even easier. These servers also offer powerful setting options to easily change server difficulty to ensure you can create the perfect environment for all playing on your server. Plus, utilizing add-ons such as Geyser with a Minecraft: Java Edition server, you can also make your server compatible with Minecraft: Windows Edition and Minecraft consoles players!

MINECRAFT: WINDOWS EDITION SERVERS

Offering built-in cross-platform support from the start, Minecraft: Windows Edition servers are compatible with users of the Minecraft: Windows Edition game, along with consoles and TVs from Xbox One X, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire TV, Samsung Gear VR, and much more! You are able to play the Vanilla Minecraft experience as well as Minecraft Marketplace content, however, the cross-platform support does introduce limitations including the inability to use most plugins or mods.

GET STARTED WITH YOUR OWN MINECRAFT SERVER

A Minecraft server offers the thrill-filled adventures of playing together that you simply can’t get when playing single-player. Whether you’re creating together to build realistic cities, battling the deadly Warden together in the 1.19 update, or just trying to survive in hardcore mode and sharing resources, a Minecraft server brings everyone close! Invite all of your friends and host a Minecraft server to see what experiences you can have together!

More Nitrado Guides:
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Upload your own savegame to Satisfactory
Uploading a Map to 7 Days to Die
Uploading save to FS15 server
User administrator for 7 Days to Die
Using your own save game for a Ylands server
Whitelist Starmade
Whitelist activiation for Terraria
Whitelist for Miscreated
Minecraft Server Whitelist Guide
Whitelist in Minecraft Bedrock Edition
World Administration for Valheim
World size of Terraria
XML Changing DayZ Loot Quantity with server settings
XML setting player spawns in DayZ
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