Getting Started with Your Minecraft Server

So you've got yourself a Minecraft server from LOW.MS – nice. This guide covers everything from picking your server type to getting your mates connected. I'll keep it practical.

Minecraft moved to a new version numbering scheme recently (the 26.x series, with 26.1 "Tiny Takeover" being a notable one). The game updates fairly often, so just make sure you're running the latest stable release unless your mods need something specific.

Choosing Your Server Type

This is the first real decision you'll make, and it matters more than most people think. Here's the rundown.

Vanilla

The official server software straight from Mojang. No plugins, no mods, no fuss. You get the default Minecraft experience exactly as intended.

Best for small friend groups who just want to play the game without complicating things.

Paper

I'd go with Paper for most new servers, honestly. It's a fork of Spigot that delivers significantly better TPS on busy servers, and it supports all Spigot and Bukkit plugins on top of its own optimisations and bug fixes.

If you want plugins and decent performance, this is probably what you want.

Spigot

The original high-performance fork of CraftBukkit. Paper has mostly taken over these days, but some owners prefer Spigot because its behaviour stays a bit closer to vanilla. Still supports the full Bukkit plugin ecosystem.

Worth considering if you've got a specific compatibility reason.

Forge

Forge is the platform for running content mods – new blocks, items, dimensions, gameplay mechanics, the works. Big modpacks like RLCraft, SkyFactory, and Feed The Beast all run on Forge. One thing to note: Forge mods and Bukkit/Spigot plugins are completely separate ecosystems. They don't mix.

Best for modded servers running large modpacks.

Fabric

A lightweight, modern mod loader. Fabric Loader usually updates very quickly after new releases, which makes it popular for staying on the latest Minecraft version. It also uses fewer resources than Forge, and it's the home of performance mods like Sodium and Lithium.

Good pick if you want current version support and lighter-weight mods.

NeoForge

NeoForge has become the main successor to Forge for newer versions. Most active mod developers have moved to NeoForge, though mods need to be built specifically for it – you can't just drop Forge mods in.

Best for servers that want modern Forge-style modding on current Minecraft versions.

Initial Server Setup

Once you've ordered your server, here's how to get it going.

Step 1: Access Your Server Panel

Log in to the LOW.MS Control Panel using the credentials from your order confirmation email. Your server will be listed on the dashboard.

Step 2: Choose Your Server Version

Head to Service Settings in the sidebar and pick the Minecraft version you want to run. I'd recommend sticking with the latest stable release unless you're running mods that need a specific version.

Step 3: Configure Basic Settings

Before your first startup, go through Configuration Files and review the basics:

• Server Name (MOTD) – the message players see in the server list
• Game Mode: Survival, Creative, Adventure, or Spectator
• Difficulty – Peaceful through Hard, depending on what kind of experience you want
• Max Players: set the cap for simultaneous connections
• World Seed: optionally specify a seed if you want a particular world layout

Step 4: Start Your Server

Hit the Start button on the Web Console page. First startup takes a few minutes while the server generates the world and pulls down any necessary files. You can watch the progress in the console output.

Connecting to Your Server

Java Edition

1. Open Minecraft Java Edition and click Multiplayer.
2. Click Add Server.
3. Give it whatever name you like – this is just a label for your list.
4. Enter your server's IP address and port (you'll find these in your control panel), e.g. play.example.com:25565.
5. Click Done, select the server, and hit Join Server.

Bedrock Edition (via GeyserMC)

If you want Bedrock Edition players joining your Java server, install the GeyserMC plugin. It translates Bedrock packets into Java packets so both editions can play together. You'll also want the Floodgate plugin alongside GeyserMC – it lets Bedrock players join without needing a Java account.

Check our Server Configuration Guide for the full setup walkthrough.

Inviting Friends

Just share your server's IP address and port. They follow the same steps above to add it to their server list.

If you've enabled a whitelist, you'll need to add their usernames first. Run /whitelist add PlayerName from the Web Console or the in-game console.

Choosing the Right RAM Plan

We get asked this a lot. RAM needs vary quite a bit depending on what you're running.

LOW.MS offers plans from 2 GB to 24 GB of RAM. You can see all the options on our Minecraft Server Hosting page.

What to Do Next

Now that your server's running, a few things worth tackling:

• Read the Server Configuration Guide to tune performance – there are some settings that make a real difference, especially on Paper.
• Install plugins or mods depending on your server type. The Mod Manager sidebar item handles Steam Workshop content, and for everything else you'll use the File Manager to upload jar files.
• Set up backups. LOW.MS runs automatic backups, but you can also trigger manual ones from Cloud Backup in the sidebar. And if something goes wrong, Cloud Restore has your back.
• Configure permissions with something like LuckPerms so you can manage player roles properly.
• If things go sideways, check the Troubleshooting Guide or look at the Log Viewer in your panel for clues.

Our support team's around 24/7 if you get stuck. Have fun out there.