To reinstall a Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server safely, stop the old process, copy the entire server directory to a separate backup location, install the current Windows or Ubuntu package in a new empty directory, start it once, and then restore your world and configuration files. Put the old world folder in worlds/, make level-name match that folder exactly, restore permissions, allowlist, packs and service files, and test the configured network ports before players reconnect.
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What a reinstall changes—and what it should not change
A reinstall replaces the Bedrock Dedicated Server program files: the executable, shared libraries and the default files shipped in the download. Your world data and administration settings are separate data. If you preserve them first, reinstalling does not require starting a new world.
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Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe safest approach is a side-by-side installation. Leave the old directory untouched as a rollback copy, extract the new ZIP into a different empty directory, and move only the data you have deliberately checked. Do not copy the old executable or libraries over the new installation.
Prepare a complete backup before stopping the server
Stop cleanly
Tell players to leave, then stop the Bedrock process using the method that normally launches it. A clean stop lets the server finish writing chunks, player data and level metadata. Do not copy a live world while the process is still writing to it.
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- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Copy the whole directory
Make a dated backup outside the installation directory—for example, on another disk or a protected backup share—and copy the entire existing server directory into it. The complete copy is more useful than a world-only backup because it can include configuration, packs, scripts and launch settings.
Microsoft’s Bedrock Dedicated Server scripting guidance specifically advises backing up worlds and files before modifying them. Keep the original directory read-only or otherwise protected until the new installation has been verified.
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- Open the copied
worlds/directory and confirm that the expected world folder is present. - Check that the copied world contains files and subdirectories, not just an empty folder.
- Record the exact world-folder name, including capitalization, spaces and punctuation.
- Save a second copy of any service unit, scheduled task, launch script, environment file or automated-backup configuration stored outside the server directory.
Supported platforms and installation requirements
The current official Bedrock Dedicated Server download page provides separate Windows and Ubuntu/Linux packages. Its requirements, accessed October 15, 2026, specify at least 4 GB of RAM, 180 MB to 1 GB of available hard-drive space, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later for Linux, and Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later or Windows Server 2016 or later for Windows. Microsoft describes Ubuntu as the officially supported Linux distribution, so use the Ubuntu/Linux package and the requirements shown on the current download page rather than assuming another distribution is supported.
| Platform | Package | Published requirements | Launch command |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows Bedrock Dedicated Server ZIP | Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, or Windows Server 2016 or later; 4 GB RAM; 180 MB–1 GB available disk space | bedrock_server |
| Ubuntu/Linux | Ubuntu/Linux Bedrock Dedicated Server ZIP | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later; 4 GB RAM; 180 MB–1 GB available disk space | LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_server |
The disk figure describes the published available-space requirement for the server package. Your world, logs, backups and downloaded packs require additional space, and a growing world can consume considerably more than the initial installation.
Step-by-step: install the new server beside the old one
- Stop and back up the old server. Complete the backup procedure above before changing any files.
- Download the current package. Use the official Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server download page and select the Windows or Ubuntu/Linux build that matches the host. Do not mix executables from different platform packages.
- Create a new, empty directory. Choose a path separate from the old installation, such as a new versioned folder. An empty directory prevents stale libraries or settings from being mistaken for files from the new package.
- Extract the ZIP. Dedicated Server is distributed as a ZIP file. Extract all of its contents directly into the new directory; do not run the executable from inside the compressed archive.
- Start the new server once with no restored world. Run it from the extracted directory so it can create its standard folders and default files. On Windows, run
bedrock_server. On Ubuntu/Linux, runLD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_server. - Stop the first run. Once the standard directories and files have appeared and the process has initialized, stop it cleanly. This gives you a known-good set of program files and folder structure.
- Restore the world. Copy the preserved world folder into the new installation’s
worlds/directory. Keep the folder itself as the child ofworlds/; do not add an unnecessary second nesting level. - Restore configuration and content selectively. Bring over
server.properties,permissions.json,allowlist.json, behavior packs, resource packs and any required scripts or service files. Keep the new executable, shared libraries and other program binaries from the new package. - Match the selected world. If the folder name differs from the old setting, edit
server.propertiessolevel-nameis exactly the name of the folder now underworlds/. - Start and test. Launch the new server with the platform command, watch the console and logs for errors, connect with a Bedrock client, and complete the verification checklist before allowing normal play.
Which files to restore
| File or directory | What it contains | Reinstall action |
|---|---|---|
worlds/ |
Active and stored Bedrock worlds, including the world folder you want to load | Copy the required world folder into the new worlds/ directory; preserve the folder name |
server.properties |
Server name, selected world, game mode, difficulty, ports, player limit and other settings | Restore after the first startup, then check every key against the new installation |
permissions.json |
Operator and other permission assignments | Copy the file if you want existing privileges to remain |
allowlist.json |
Players permitted to join when the allow-list is enabled | Copy it and verify that the names or identifiers are still correct |
behavior_packs/ |
Behavior packs used by worlds or shared by the server | Copy the required packs and confirm that their files are complete |
resource_packs/ |
Resource packs used by worlds or shared by the server | Copy the required packs and test a client connection |
| Launch, service and backup files | Windows service or scheduled-task definitions, Linux service units, shell scripts, environment variables and backup jobs | Restore or recreate them outside the ZIP, updating the path to the new directory |
Do not blindly merge every old file into the new directory. Files supplied by the old package can overwrite updated libraries or defaults. Restore data and settings intentionally, keeping a copy of both old and new versions of any configuration you edit.
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Point the server at the old world
Understand worlds/ and level-name
Each Bedrock level has its own folder inside worlds/. The level-name property selects the folder the server loads, or the name it uses when generating a new level. For example, if the copied folder is Survival2026, the relevant line is:
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level-name=Survival2026The value must match the folder name exactly. A mismatch can make the server generate or select a different world, which may look like data loss even though the original folder is still present.
Check the configuration format
server.properties is an INI-style text file with one key-value pair per line. Preserve the key names and use a plain-text editor. Important reinstall checks include:
level-name— the world folder to load.server-port— the IPv4/UDP listening port.server-portv6— the IPv6/UDP listening port.online-mode— whether the server uses authenticated online mode.allow-list— whether only entries inallowlist.jsonmay join.gamemodeanddifficulty— defaults for the server and newly affected players or worlds, subject to Bedrock’s normal rules.max-players— the configured player limit.
The Microsoft properties reference lists these defaults: gamemode=survival, difficulty=easy, max-players=10, server-port=19132 and server-portv6=19133. A restored file may intentionally use different values, so compare it with your desired setup rather than replacing every value with a default.
Start the reinstalled server
Windows
Open a command prompt or PowerShell window in the extracted server directory and run:
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bedrock_serverStarting from that directory ensures that the executable finds its accompanying files and writes logs and generated folders in the expected location. If you use a shortcut, scheduled task or service, update its working directory and executable path to the new installation.
Ubuntu/Linux
From the extracted directory, run:
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_serverThe command sets the library search path for that process and launches the Linux executable in the current directory. If the shell reports a permission error, check the executable permission and the ownership of the extracted files; do not solve a missing-library error by copying random libraries from the old installation.
Firewall and network checks
Permit the UDP ports configured in server.properties through the host firewall and any upstream router or cloud security rule. The documented defaults are IPv4 port 19132 and IPv6 port 19133. If you changed either value, open the changed port instead of the default.
- Confirm that the server is listening on the intended network interface.
- Match the firewall rule to the configured port and protocol.
- For internet play, forward the chosen IPv4 UDP port from the router to the server’s fixed local address, where applicable.
- For IPv6, ensure the host and network permit inbound traffic on the configured IPv6 port.
- Test from the intended network path; a local-LAN test does not prove that an internet connection works.
A successful process start does not guarantee reachability. Firewall rules, router forwarding, changing addresses and client network restrictions can all prevent a connection even when the world itself is intact.
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Post-reinstall verification checklist
Run these checks before treating the migration as complete:
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- The process starts without missing-library, executable, file-permission or configuration errors.
- The expected world loads, including recognizable builds, terrain and player inventories.
- The server is reachable from the intended LAN or internet path.
- Both configured IPv4 and IPv6 firewall rules, where used, match
server-portandserver-portv6. - Operators retain their expected privileges from
permissions.json. - Allowlisted players can join, and a non-allowlisted test account is rejected when
allow-list=true. - Behavior packs and resource packs load without missing-file or dependency errors.
- Logs continue to update in the new directory and show the expected world name.
- A fresh backup can be created from the reinstalled server before normal play resumes.
Troubleshooting common reinstall failures
The server opens a new, empty world
Stop the process and inspect the new worlds/ directory. Make sure the old world folder was copied there and that level-name matches its exact name. Check for an extra nesting level such as worlds/OldWorld/OldWorld. Restore the original folder from the backup if the copy is incomplete.
Players lose operator status
Verify that the intended permissions.json was copied into the new directory and is valid JSON. Confirm that player identifiers and permission values are unchanged. Keep the new server stopped while replacing the file, then start it again and test with an operator account.
Allowlisted players cannot join
Check that allow-list is set as intended and that the restored allowlist.json contains the correct entries. A spelling or identifier change can block a legitimate player even when the file exists.
Packs do not appear or a world reports missing content
Restore the required behavior and resource pack directories, including all files inside each pack. Check the console for dependency or format errors and verify that the world is using the same pack content expected by its saved data. Do not overwrite the new server executable while trying to restore packs.
The process reports a missing library or will not execute
Confirm that you downloaded the package for the host operating system and extracted every file. On Ubuntu/Linux, run the documented command from the extracted directory so LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. is set. Check executable permissions and ownership. If the error persists, extract a fresh copy of the official package into another empty directory rather than borrowing libraries from the old installation.
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- Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
Clients cannot connect after the reinstall
Compare the actual listening ports with server-port and server-portv6, then update host-firewall and router rules. Check the server’s local address and whether the client is connecting through LAN, IPv4 internet or IPv6. A changed port or host address is common when a launch script or service definition is recreated.
Reinstalling versus updating in place
An in-place update replaces files in the existing directory and can be quicker, but it leaves a greater chance of stale or conflicting files. A clean, side-by-side reinstall makes the boundary clear: old data is preserved, new program files are untouched, and rollback is as simple as stopping the new process and starting the old directory.
Use the side-by-side method when you are replacing a damaged installation, changing operating systems, debugging unexplained startup errors or need a dependable rollback. Even for a routine version update, keep the complete backup and restore only the data the new package needs.
Manual hosting and managed hosting: the practical trade-off
A self-managed installation gives you direct control over files, versions, launch arguments, packs and scripts. It also makes you responsible for backups, updates, operating-system maintenance, firewall rules, port forwarding and recovery testing. Managed hosting shifts much of that operational work to a provider, usually in exchange for a recurring charge and less direct control over the underlying files and update timing.
| Decision factor | Manual server | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Files and versions | Direct access and precise control over the package and directory | Access and available versions depend on the provider’s panel and policies |
| Backups and updates | You design, schedule and verify them | The provider may offer tools or schedules; scope and retention must be checked |
| Networking | You configure host firewalls, router forwarding and addresses | The provider normally supplies the network endpoint, while you still configure server settings |
| Packs and scripts | Install and troubleshoot them yourself | Supported content and scripting depend on the service |
| Cost | Uses your hardware or infrastructure; ongoing expenses vary | Requires a recurring hosting charge; no universal price is established here |
| Recovery | Fast rollback is possible when you retain a complete local copy | Recovery depends on downloadable backups, snapshots and the provider’s retention policy |
Whichever model you choose, keep an independent copy of the world and test that it can actually be restored. Hosting convenience does not remove the need to understand worlds/, level-name and the permissions and allowlist files.
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Safe rollback if verification fails
- Stop the new server and prevent its service or scheduled task from restarting it.
- Preserve the new directory and its logs so you can diagnose the failure.
- Restore the previous launch path or service definition, pointing it to the untouched old directory.
- Start the old server and confirm that the backed-up world and settings are available.
- Investigate the new installation using a fresh extracted package and a copy of the backup, never the only surviving world copy.
There is no official guarantee of a particular reinstall duration or performance improvement. The measurable outcome to verify is functional recovery: the expected world, player data, settings, packs and network access all work from the new installation, with a restorable backup in hand.
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