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To run Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS), plan for at least an Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU or equivalent, 4 GB of RAM, 180 MB to 1 GB of free disk space, and a broadband internet connection. The current Linux build requires Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later. On Windows, use Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, or Windows Server 2016 or later. Those are the official minimum requirements; they are not a promise that every world or player load will perform equally well.
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Official Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server requirements
Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server is Mojang’s official, free server software for hosting a multiplayer world for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. The requirements below are the current baseline published for the downloadable server software.
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| Component | Official requirement | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU, or equivalent | The listed baseline CPU for the server application. |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | Minimum system memory stated by Mojang; this does not establish a guaranteed player-count limit. |
| Storage | 180 MB to 1 GB available space | Enough free space for the server package and initial data; worlds, backups and logs can require additional room over time. |
| Network | Broadband internet connection | Required when players connect over a LAN or the internet. |
| Linux operating system | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later | Use a current supported Ubuntu LTS release for the current Linux binary. |
| Windows operating system | Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, or Windows Server 2016 or later | The supported Windows editions listed on the current requirements page. |
The CPU, RAM and storage figures come from Minecraft/Mojang’s current requirements page, accessed in 2026. They should be treated as a starting point for a small server, not as a sizing formula. Mojang and Microsoft do not publish a guaranteed RAM-per-player calculation or a benchmark table that converts player count into hardware.
Can your existing PC host a Bedrock server?
Yes, if it meets the operating-system, processor, memory, storage and network requirements and can remain available whenever players need to connect. A desktop or spare laptop that already runs a supported Windows version can host BDS without a separate server machine. Ubuntu hardware can do the same when it runs Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer for the current Linux build.
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Check the complete machine rather than looking only at the CPU model. The server needs 4 GB of RAM, while Windows or Ubuntu and any other applications on the same computer also consume memory. A system that has exactly 4 GB may launch BDS but leave little headroom for the operating system, a browser, backups or other services. Keep free disk space beyond the published 180 MB to 1 GB range so the world and operational files can grow.
A home connection also has to be reachable by the intended players. Hosting on a PC that sleeps, changes networks, loses its IP address or sits behind a firewall that blocks inbound traffic will make the world unavailable even when the hardware is fast enough.
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| Consideration | Windows | Ubuntu Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Supported versions | Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later; Windows Server 2016 or later | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later for the current server build |
| Launch command | bedrock_server |
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_server |
| Network setup | Windows Defender Firewall asks which network profiles may allow the server | Configure the host firewall, such as UFW, to permit the server’s documented ports |
| Same-machine connection | Requires a Windows loopback exemption using Microsoft’s documented CheckNetIsolation.exe command |
Connect through the server’s reachable address and configured port |
The Ubuntu documentation-version discrepancy
Microsoft’s getting-started documentation has a broader recommended-systems note that mentions Ubuntu Linux 18 or later. The current download requirements specify Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later for the Linux server build. Follow the stricter, current download requirement: install Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or a newer supported LTS release when setting up a new server. The older “Ubuntu 18 or later” wording should not be used as approval for the current binary.
How to install Bedrock Dedicated Server
BDS is distributed as a ZIP archive. Installation is a short extraction-and-launch process, but the order matters because the first launch creates the folders needed for a world.
- Choose a supported host. Confirm the CPU, 4 GB RAM, available storage, broadband connection and operating-system version before downloading.
- Download the Bedrock Dedicated Server ZIP archive from the official Minecraft/Mojang distribution page.
- Create an empty server directory. Use a dedicated folder rather than extracting over unrelated files. This makes updates, backups and permissions easier to manage.
- Extract the ZIP archive into that empty directory.
- Start the server. On Windows, run
bedrock_server. On Ubuntu Linux, runLD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_serverfrom the extracted directory. - Allow the application through the host firewall. Windows Defender Firewall presents a network-profile prompt. On Ubuntu, configure UFW or the active firewall to permit the documented Bedrock ports.
- Stop the server cleanly after the first initialization and inspect the directory. BDS creates
worlds,behavior_packsandresource_packsfolders on its first start. - Place an existing Bedrock world in the server. Copy the world into the server’s
worldsdirectory after those folders have been initialized, then start BDS again.
Keep the extracted files together. Moving only the executable or only selected libraries can prevent the Linux launch command from finding the files it expects.
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Ports, firewalls and addresses
Microsoft documents server-port 19132 and server-portv6 19133 as the defaults. The firewall must allow inbound traffic on the port and protocol used by the server. If you change the configured port, clients must use that new value and the firewall and any router rule must match it.
Players on the same network
LAN players should connect to the server computer’s reachable local IP address and the configured Bedrock port. A local address can change when a router renews its lease, so a stable address or a router reservation helps prevent connection instructions from going stale.
Players connecting over the internet
Internet players need an address that is reachable from outside the home network, the correct port exposure on the router, and an inbound firewall rule on the server computer. Port exposure increases the importance of keeping Windows, Ubuntu and BDS updated and of opening only the port the server actually uses.
Connecting from the same Windows PC
Windows can block a client on the host machine from reaching a local BDS instance through loopback. Microsoft documents a CheckNetIsolation.exe command to enable the required loopback access. Apply that documented exemption on the host, then connect using the server’s local address and configured port. Remote or LAN clients do not use the loopback exemption; they use the server machine’s reachable IP address.
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The Bedrock client and BDS must use compatible protocol versions. Microsoft notes that minor-version changes commonly affect protocol compatibility and that even patch versions are not guaranteed to remain compatible. When a player sees “Outdated Client” or “Outdated Server,” update the side named by the message so the client and server are on compatible releases.
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A safe update sequence
- Record the current server version and make a backup of the world directory.
- Check the installed Bedrock client versions used by your players.
- Download the BDS release that corresponds to the client release you intend to run.
- Stop the running server cleanly before replacing files.
- Extract the new server files into a clean directory or a controlled copy, preserving the world data separately.
- Start the updated server and test a local connection before asking remote players to join.
Do not assume that a small patch-number difference is harmless. The documented compatibility warning covers patch versions as well as larger version changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much RAM and CPU headroom do you need?
The only official memory figure is 4 GB. There is no published, guaranteed relationship such as “one gigabyte per X players,” and performance depends on the world, simulation activity, loaded areas, add-ons and other software running on the machine. Consequently, selecting hardware by a precise player-count formula would be misleading.
Use the official baseline as a floor, then make room for the operating system and your actual workload. More headroom is useful when the host also runs backups, monitoring, a desktop environment or another service. Watch memory pressure and CPU saturation during real sessions rather than treating the minimum as a target for every deployment.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Small private world: A machine meeting the published baseline may be suitable if it is dedicated to BDS and has a reliable connection.
- Shared household PC: Leave capacity for the operating system and normal applications; the 4 GB figure applies to the server requirement, not the entire computer’s workload.
- Busy or expanding world: Plan additional hardware headroom and storage, because the official requirements do not guarantee a maximum player count or world size.
Self-hosting versus managed hosting
Self-hosting gives you direct access to the BDS files, world folders, configuration and update schedule. It also makes you responsible for the operating system, firewall, router exposure, backups, uptime and version coordination.
A managed Bedrock host can remove much of the local OS and network administration. Before choosing one, verify that it explicitly supports Bedrock Dedicated Server, the game version you need, your region and your expected configuration. Check current pricing, resource limits, backup policy, player limits and update controls directly with the provider; support and terms vary.
Quick Recap
| Decision factor | Self-hosting | Managed service |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | You install and maintain supported Windows or Ubuntu | The provider manages the host operating system |
| Hardware capacity | You choose and upgrade the physical machine | You select from the provider’s allocated plans |
| Network administration | You handle firewall rules, router port exposure and reachable addresses | The provider generally supplies an externally reachable endpoint |
| Files and configuration | Direct control of worlds, packs and server files | Access depends on the provider’s panel and policies |
| Maintenance | You coordinate BDS and client updates | The provider may offer update tools, but compatibility still needs checking |
Troubleshooting checklist
The server will not start
- Confirm that the operating system meets the current requirement, especially Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later for Linux.
- On Ubuntu, run
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_serverfrom the directory containing the extracted files. - On Windows, launch
bedrock_serverfrom the extracted server directory. - Check that the archive was extracted completely into an empty directory and that the account running BDS can read and write its files.
Players cannot connect
- Verify that the server is running and listening on the configured port.
- Confirm the host firewall allows inbound traffic and that any router rule uses the same port.
- Have LAN players use the server’s local reachable IP address; internet players need the externally reachable address.
- Check for a client/server protocol mismatch and update the side identified by an “Outdated Client” or “Outdated Server” message.
The world is missing
- Start BDS once so it creates the
worldsdirectory. - Copy the existing Bedrock world into that directory, preserving its folder structure.
- Stop and restart the server, then verify that the selected world and its associated behavior or resource packs are present.
Practical preflight checklist
- CPU meets the Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU or equivalent baseline.
- At least 4 GB of RAM is installed, with additional capacity for the operating system and other tasks.
- At least 180 MB to 1 GB of free storage is available, plus room for world growth and backups.
- Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, Windows Server 2016 or later, or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later is installed.
- The host has a broadband connection and a reachable local or external IP address for the intended players.
- Inbound firewall rules match ports 19132 and 19133 unless you deliberately changed the server configuration.
- Players and BDS are kept on compatible protocol versions.
- The world is backed up before server updates or major configuration changes.
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