The official Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) runs on your own Windows or Linux computer. Download the archive from minecraft.net, extract it into a dedicated folder, launch the server executable, permit its network traffic, and share the server’s address with players. Internet play requires UDP port 19132 for IPv4 and UDP port 19133 for IPv6 to be allowed through the host firewall and, for most home connections, the router.
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This guide covers the hardware and operating-system requirements, first launch, firewall and port forwarding, Linux fixes, backups, clean shutdown, version changes, cross-play limits, and the choice between hosting at home and using a VPS or managed service.
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BDS is software, not a separate console or appliance. Install it on a machine that can remain powered on whenever players need access. The official download page lists the following minimums; they are minimum requirements, not a promise of a particular player count or simulation distance.
| Requirement | Windows build | Linux build |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU, or equivalent | Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU, or equivalent |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| Disk space | 180 MB to 1 GB, depending on the installed files and world data | 180 MB to 1 GB, depending on the installed files and world data |
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 1703 or newer, or Windows Server 2016 or newer | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer is the conservative choice for the current download; Microsoft documentation also mentions Ubuntu 18 or newer |
| Linux runtime | Not applicable | glibc 2.35 or newer |
These specifications come from the official Bedrock server download page, Microsoft’s getting-started documentation, and the Bedrock Dedicated Server reference. Keep extra disk capacity for world growth, logs, and backups. Bedrock does not expose Java-style initial or maximum heap-memory switches, so do not plan a Java-style -Xmx allocation.
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Choose where the server will run
- Home PC: simplest for a small private world if the computer and internet connection can stay available.
- VPS: provides a datacenter connection and an independent operating system, but you must administer updates, firewall rules, storage, and backups.
- Managed host: shifts operating-system and network administration to a provider; check that it supports Bedrock rather than only Java Edition and that you can manage world files and backups.
Whichever option you choose, obtain the binary only from the official Minecraft download page. Unofficial mirrors can distribute altered or malicious files.
Download and extract the official server
- Open the Bedrock Dedicated Server download page.
- Select the archive for your operating system and accept the license terms shown by Mojang/Microsoft.
- Create an empty, dedicated directory. On Windows, a practical path is
C:MinecraftServer; on Ubuntu, use~/MinecraftServer. - Extract every archive file into that directory. Do not mix the files with another Minecraft installation, and do not run the executable directly from inside the compressed archive.
- Keep the extracted folder backed up separately from the downloaded archive. The folder will later contain the world and configuration files that must survive a server-binary update.
The directory should contain the server executable and its supporting libraries before you launch it. If your browser marks the archive as blocked, verify that it came from minecraft.net rather than weakening system security for a third-party download.
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Launch the first instance
- Open
C:MinecraftServerin File Explorer. - Double-click
bedrock_server.exe. A console window opens and performs the first initialization. - When Windows Defender Firewall asks whether to allow the application, permit it on Private networks for a home or LAN server. Choose Public networks only when you deliberately need connections from players outside your local network and understand the exposure.
- Leave the console window running while players are connected. The first launch creates a
worldsdirectory,server.properties, andpermissions.json.
If double-clicking closes immediately, start the executable from a Command Prompt opened in the server directory. The console will then remain visible long enough to read an error. Correct the error, rather than repeatedly launching new instances; two processes cannot safely use the same world directory and network ports.
Run it without an interactive desktop session
For a dedicated Windows machine, create a shortcut or scheduled task that starts bedrock_server.exe with C:MinecraftServer as its working directory. Test the task while logged in before relying on it after a reboot. Keep a way to reach the console when you need to issue administrative commands or inspect startup errors.
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Install on Ubuntu Linux
Extract and make the binary executable
- Extract the archive into
~/MinecraftServer. - Open a terminal and change into that directory:
cd ~/MinecraftServer. - Grant execute permission:
chmod +x bedrock_server. - Start the binary from that directory with
./bedrock_server.
The official and Microsoft instructions differ on the oldest supported Ubuntu release. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer is the safer baseline for a new installation, and the Linux build requires glibc 2.35 or newer according to the current Bedrock server reference.
Resolve common library errors
Some Ubuntu installations report a missing cURL library when the executable starts. Install the distribution package named libcurl4, then retry. If the loader still cannot find a library located in the server directory, launch with the current directory on the library path:
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This workaround is environment-dependent; read the exact loader error and confirm the package architecture before copying libraries from another machine. Do not replace system libraries with files from an untrusted download.
Keep the process alive
A terminal session is sufficient for initial testing. For a long-running server, use your normal Linux service or terminal-session administration so the process is not terminated when you disconnect. Whichever method you use, set the working directory to ~/MinecraftServer and preserve access to standard output, because that is where startup and shutdown messages appear.
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First launch files and basic configuration
On first start, BDS creates three important items:
worlds: contains the generated or imported Bedrock worlds. This is the data that must be backed up before upgrades or experimentation.server.properties: text configuration for server behavior. Stop the server before editing it, save a plain-text file, and restart BDS for changes to take effect.permissions.json: stores player permission entries. Treat it as administrative data and back it up with the world.
Make one controlled change at a time and retain the original file. If the server fails after an edit, stop it, restore the previous version, and start again. This isolates configuration mistakes from network or operating-system problems.
Choose an administrative identity
Use the permissions file and the server console to control who can administer the world. Do not distribute a writable copy of the server directory to every player. Keep operating-system access limited to trusted administrators, because anyone who can edit the world or permissions files effectively has full control.
Open the network ports
Bedrock Dedicated Server listens for game traffic over UDP. Allow UDP 19132 for IPv4 and UDP 19133 for IPv6 in the host firewall. A VPS also needs matching rules in its cloud security group or provider firewall. The port values are documented in Microsoft’s setup material and the current Bedrock server reference.
Home network port forwarding
- Give the server computer a stable private address, either with a DHCP reservation on the router or a correctly configured static address.
- Create a router port-forwarding rule that sends the required UDP traffic to that private address.
- Allow the same traffic in Windows Defender Firewall or your Linux firewall.
- Have a player outside your home network test the public address. Testing from inside the same LAN can fail on routers that do not support NAT loopback, even when the internet rule works.
Forward only the Bedrock UDP ports to the server machine. Avoid exposing unrelated administration services, and keep the operating system patched. If your internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT, inbound forwarding may be impossible without a public address or a provider-supported alternative; in that case a VPS or managed host is usually simpler.
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IPv4 and IPv6 considerations
IPv4 clients use 19132, while IPv6 uses 19133. An IPv6 rule still has to be allowed by the host firewall and any upstream router. Test each protocol separately if some players can connect while others cannot.
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Connect Bedrock players
- Start BDS and confirm that the console remains running without an error.
- For players on the same LAN, share the server computer’s private address and the Bedrock port shown in the server configuration.
- For internet players, share the public address and ensure the router, host firewall, and any VPS security group all permit the UDP rule.
- Have a remote player test while you watch the server console. A failed connection with no console activity usually indicates an address, forwarding, or firewall problem rather than a world problem.
Bedrock Dedicated Server is for Bedrock clients. It does not load Java Edition plugins or mods. Java-to-Bedrock play normally requires a separate protocol bridge such as Geyser; that is an additional compatibility layer, not a built-in BDS feature. Treat bridge support, authentication behavior, and add-on compatibility as separate decisions before promising Java cross-play.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.NetherNet and version changes
Bedrock Dedicated Server 1.26.50 and later uses the NetherNet transport by default. If you upgrade an existing installation to one of those builds, re-check networking rather than assuming an old firewall or proxy arrangement will behave identically. Confirm the version actually offered on the official download page at the time you install; version-specific instructions can change.
To update safely:
- Tell players to disconnect and issue
stopin the server console. - Wait for the clean-shutdown message before replacing files.
- Copy the entire server directory, especially
worlds,server.properties, andpermissions.json, to a separate backup location. - Download the new archive from minecraft.net and extract the new executable and support files into the server directory, preserving your world and configuration files unless the release notes require a migration.
- Start the server and test a player connection before inviting everyone back.
Do not use the old Fandom version list as a current compatibility authority; its page stops around version 1.19. Prefer the official download page and Microsoft’s current creator documentation.
Clean shutdowns, backups, and recovery
Stop the server correctly
Type stop in the BDS console and wait for it to finish saving. This is the supported clean-shutdown path. Closing the console window or killing the process can interrupt a save and risk world corruption.
Back up before risky changes
- Stop the server before copying world files.
- Archive the
worldsdirectory together withserver.propertiesandpermissions.json. - Store at least one copy outside the server machine.
- Label backups with the date and BDS version so you know which binary created them.
Recover from a failed start
- Read the complete console error rather than deleting files immediately.
- Confirm that only one BDS process is running and that the working directory contains the executable and libraries.
- Undo the most recent configuration edit or restore the last known-good configuration backup.
- On Linux, re-check execute permission, Ubuntu/glibc compatibility,
libcurl4, and theLD_LIBRARY_PATH=.launch prefix when the loader reports a missing library. - On Windows, verify the executable is allowed through the intended firewall profile.
Troubleshooting connection failures
Players on the same LAN cannot join
- Confirm BDS is running and that the player is using the server computer’s private address, not the public address.
- Check the Windows private-network firewall rule or the Linux firewall rule.
- Verify that another application has not taken the Bedrock UDP port.
LAN works but internet players cannot connect
- Check that the router forwards UDP traffic to the server’s current private address.
- Confirm the host firewall and, for a VPS, the provider security group allow the same traffic.
- Check whether the internet connection is behind carrier-grade NAT or a changing public address.
- Test from a genuinely external connection; same-network testing can be misleading when NAT loopback is unavailable.
Only some players connect
Compare protocol and address family. IPv4 and IPv6 use different Bedrock ports, and a rule opened for one does not automatically open the other. Also verify that every player is using a compatible Bedrock client version and that any bridge used for Java players is operating normally.
Home computer, VPS, or managed host?
| Decision factor | Home computer | VPS | Managed Bedrock host |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating-system control | Full control of your existing Windows or Linux machine | Full control of a rented virtual machine | Provider controls much of the platform |
| Firewall and ports | You configure the host firewall and home router | You configure the host firewall and cloud security group | Provider supplies a control panel or managed rules; verify UDP support |
| Uptime | Depends on power, computer availability, and home internet | Depends on the provider and your administration | Usually designed for continuous hosting, subject to the provider’s terms |
| Cross-play needs | You must configure any Java bridge yourself | You must configure any Java bridge yourself | Check whether the plan supports Bedrock only or a bridge and add-ons |
| Maintenance | You handle operating-system, BDS, backup, and security updates | You handle operating-system, BDS, backup, and security updates | Some maintenance is delegated, but world backups and compatibility remain your responsibility |
Self-host at home when you want control and the world is small or private. Choose a VPS when you need a reachable datacenter machine and are comfortable administering Linux or Windows. A managed host is practical when uptime and a control panel matter more than low-level control, but read its Bedrock version, storage, backup, and port policies first.
Quick Recap
Security checklist
- Download BDS only from minecraft.net.
- Run the server in its own directory and avoid using an operating-system administrator account for normal play.
- Allow only the required Bedrock UDP traffic through firewalls and routers.
- Keep the operating system and server binary current, checking networking after major transport changes.
- Back up the world before upgrades, add-on changes, or configuration experiments.
- Use
stopfor every planned shutdown. - Do not give untrusted users write access to the server directory or permissions file.
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