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This guide covers a first installation, Java and memory decisions, configuration, plugins, migration from Vanilla or Spigot, troubleshooting, and the trade-offs between hosting the server yourself and using managed hosting.
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What PaperMC is and why server owners use it
PaperMC describes Paper as “a Minecraft: Java Edition game server, designed to greatly improve performance and offer more advanced features and API.” In practical terms, Paper is a replacement server program, not a client mod. You download a runnable Paper JAR, start it with Java, and it creates or opens a normal Minecraft server directory containing the world and configuration files.
Paper’s main advantages are server-side. It offers more controls than an unmodified Vanilla server, exposes an API for plugins, and includes implementation and configuration work intended to keep a busy server responsive. The exact result depends on the Minecraft version, hardware, world, simulation settings, entity count and plugins; first-party documentation does not establish a universal percentage improvement or player-capacity figure.
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Paper, Vanilla, CraftBukkit and Spigot
Vanilla is Mojang’s reference server. CraftBukkit and Spigot established widely used plugin APIs and server administration practices. Paper is compatible with the CraftBukkit and Spigot server ecosystem while adding its own API and settings. Paper’s getting-started documentation calls it a “drop-in replacement for both CraftBukkit and Spigot,” meaning an existing server can usually be moved without changing the world format or the basic launch process.
Paper still requires administration. You remain responsible for Java, updates, backups, permissions, plugin compatibility, firewall rules and recovery when a plugin or configuration change causes a problem.
Choose the Minecraft and Paper version before installing
Version selection determines the Java runtime you need and which plugins can load. Decide the Minecraft version first, then download a Paper build for that version. Do not install Java first and assume it will work for every historical server release.
| Minecraft/Paper version range | Java version listed by Paper’s current documentation |
|---|---|
| 1.7.10–1.11 | Java 8 |
| 1.12–1.16.4 | Java 11 |
| 1.16.5 | Java 16 |
| 1.17–1.19 | Java 17 |
| 1.20–1.21.11 | Java 21 |
| 26.1 and newer | Java 25 |
The table reflects Paper documentation accessed on October 15, 2026. If a future release changes the requirement, follow the requirement shown for the specific build you download. On a machine with several Java installations, verify which executable your startup script calls rather than relying on the operating system’s default.
Plan compatibility before you commit to a version
- Check that every required plugin supports the Minecraft and Paper version you selected.
- Confirm that your operating system and hosting environment can install the matching Java runtime.
- Keep a copy of the old server and world before upgrading; a newer server may update data that an older one cannot safely read.
- Use a separate test directory when evaluating a new build or plugin update.
Install Paper step by step
1. Create a dedicated server directory
Make a new directory used only for this server. Keeping the JAR, world folders, logs, configuration files and backups together makes updates and restores easier. Avoid placing the server inside a system directory that your normal user cannot write to.
2. Download the Paper JAR
Use PaperMC’s official downloads page and select the Minecraft version and build you intend to run. Put the downloaded JAR in the dedicated directory. Rename it to a simple name such as paper.jar only if doing so will not confuse your update process; otherwise use the exact downloaded filename in the launch command.
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3. Confirm Java from a terminal
Open a terminal in the server directory and run:
java -versionThe reported major version must match the Paper/Minecraft range. If the command is missing or reports a different major release, install the required Java runtime or call its full executable path in your startup script.
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4. Start the server for the first time
A documented example is:
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --noguiReplace paper.jar with the actual filename. -Xms4G sets the initial Java heap and -Xmx4G sets the maximum heap in this example. They are not universal recommendations: choose values that fit the host and the server’s world, view distance, simulation distance, entity load and plugin set. --nogui disables the graphical Vanilla server window, which is normally preferable on a remote machine.
The first launch creates files and normally stops or refuses to continue until the EULA requirement is handled. Read the generated EULA file and agree only if you accept Mojang’s terms.
5. Complete the EULA step correctly
The normal method is to edit the generated eula.txt and set the agreement value to true after you have actually agreed. Paper also documents a system property, com.mojang.eula.agree, whose true value skips the eula.txt check. That property is an automation option, not a way around the agreement. Use it only when the operator has already accepted the EULA.
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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 problemsAfter accepting, start the same command again. Paper should finish generating the server files and leave a console prompt or running process. Stop it cleanly with the console stop command before making major configuration changes.
6. Create a repeatable startup script
Typing a command manually works for testing but is error-prone for a long-running server. Put the command in a script appropriate to your operating system, keep the JAR filename and memory values in one place, and arrange for the process to restart only after you understand how to preserve logs and avoid restart loops. Do not hide the Java version or the chosen heap settings from the person who will maintain the server.
Set the core server properties
Paper reads most day-to-day settings from server.properties. Stop the server before editing it, change one group of settings at a time, save a backup of the original file, and restart to apply changes unless the setting’s documentation says otherwise.
| Setting area | What it controls | Questions to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | online-mode |
Should the server authenticate players with Mojang/Microsoft services? A public server normally needs an authentication policy that matches its security model. |
| Access control | Whitelist enforcement | Should only explicitly approved player names be allowed to join? |
| Capacity | max-players |
How many simultaneous players should the server advertise and permit? The documented default is 20. |
| Network port | server-port |
Which TCP port should clients use? The documented default is 25565. |
| World workload | View distance and simulation distance | How far should terrain be sent to clients and how far should the server actively tick? Higher values increase work and bandwidth. |
| Content delivery | Resource-pack settings | Will players be asked to download a pack, and how will they receive the required hash or URL? |
| Remote administration | RCON | Do you need remote console access? If enabled, protect the password and restrict network exposure. |
| Management services | Management-server settings | Are management endpoints needed, and are they bound and firewalled appropriately? |
Command-line arguments appear after the server JAR and can override corresponding server.properties values. Keep the effective values documented so a command-line override does not surprise the person editing the properties file.
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Security settings to decide before going public
- Use a whitelist while testing and whenever the server is intended for a private group.
- Use strong, unique credentials for RCON or any management service; do not expose them unnecessarily to the internet.
- Leave authentication behavior consistent with the players and account system you intend to support.
- Run the server as a non-administrator operating-system account where practical.
- Back up the world before changing router or firewall rules and before installing untrusted plugins.
Memory, CPU and world-load planning
Paper’s example uses a 4G initial and maximum heap, but the documentation does not define one correct RAM amount for every server. A small private world with few players and lightweight plugins has different needs from a public world with many loaded chunks, redstone machines, entities and map-rendering tasks.
Choose a heap based on workload, not player slots alone
- Start with a conservative heap that leaves memory for the operating system, Java’s non-heap areas, file cache and other services.
- Watch logs and operating-system memory use during the busiest expected activity, not only while nobody is online.
- Increasing
-Xmxcannot compensate for a slow CPU, excessive simulation distance, a runaway plugin or a heavily loaded world. - A very large heap can make garbage-collection pauses more disruptive and can starve the rest of the machine.
- Keep
-Xmsand-Xmxequal only when that allocation fits comfortably; otherwise choose values deliberately and document why.
There is no first-party benchmark establishing a guaranteed number of players for a given heap or processor. Treat capacity as an operational result measured on your own world, with your own plugins and settings.
Reduce load in the settings that matter most
View distance affects how much terrain is sent to clients, while simulation distance affects how far the server actively processes game logic. Lowering them can reduce CPU, memory and bandwidth pressure, but it changes what players can see and how far farms or entities operate. Apply changes during a maintenance window and ask players to test ordinary exploration, bases, farms and combat rather than judging performance from an empty spawn area.
Add and maintain plugins safely
Paper’s administration guidance describes plugins as the most powerful way to extend the server beyond configuration files. Plugins can add permissions, moderation, claims, minigames, economy systems, world tools and many other features, but each plugin becomes part of your update and troubleshooting workload.
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Install a plugin
- Identify the exact Minecraft and Paper version running on the server.
- Read the plugin author’s compatibility, dependency and installation instructions.
- Download the plugin JAR from the author’s stated distribution channel and verify that it is the intended file, not a similarly named client mod.
- Stop the server cleanly and copy the JAR into the server’s
pluginsdirectory. Create the directory if Paper has not already done so. - Start the server and inspect the console for dependency errors, version warnings or failed initialization.
- Stop the server, review the generated plugin configuration, and change settings deliberately before restarting.
- Test permissions, commands and player-facing behavior on a backup or staging copy before enabling the feature on a live world.
Update without turning maintenance into guesswork
- Back up the world, server configuration and plugin data before every update.
- Update one plugin or one related group at a time so a failure has a clear cause.
- Read the release notes for database migrations, permission changes and required dependencies.
- Keep the previous JAR and a restore plan outside the live plugins directory.
- Do not assume a plugin that worked on Spigot or an earlier Paper build remains compatible after a Minecraft version change.
Migrate a Vanilla, CraftBukkit or Spigot server
Vanilla to Paper
Paper’s getting-started documentation says migration from Vanilla is automatic for world-save conversion. In a typical migration, stop the Vanilla server, make a complete copy of the server directory, place the Paper JAR in the directory containing the world, and start Paper with the matching Java version. Paper reads the existing world and creates or updates the server files it needs.
Automatic conversion does not remove operational risk. Keep the original untouched until players have joined the Paper copy, explored several areas, used important farms and confirmed inventories, permissions and scheduled tasks. A world backup is your rollback path if a plugin, version mismatch or unexpected conversion issue appears.
CraftBukkit or Spigot to Paper
Paper is designed as a drop-in replacement for CraftBukkit and Spigot, so the basic world and plugin layout generally carries over. Copy the entire server directory, including worlds, server.properties, permissions data and plugin folders, then point your startup script at the Paper JAR. Do not delete the original JAR until the new installation has been verified.
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Check every plugin against the Paper and Minecraft version before migration. A plugin may rely on undocumented behavior, an old dependency or server internals that changed between releases. If the migrated server fails, restore the backup and remove or replace the plugin identified in the startup log rather than repeatedly changing unrelated settings.
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A server that runs locally is not automatically reachable by friends outside your home or hosting network. Public access may require an operating-system firewall rule, router port forwarding, a stable address or a hostname, and coordination with the network provider. The exact steps depend on the router, operating system, IPv4/IPv6 setup and whether the host uses carrier-grade NAT.
Mojang’s setup guidance warns that changing a home network’s configuration is not recommended unless you understand what you are doing. Treat that warning as a deployment boundary: do not copy a port-forwarding recipe intended for different hardware and assume it is safe.
Before opening a port
- Back up the world and verify that the backup can be restored.
- Update the operating system, Java runtime and Paper build you intend to expose.
- Choose the smallest required firewall scope and allow only the Minecraft port you actually configured.
- Keep RCON and management services off the public interface unless you have a specific, secured reason to expose them.
- Enable the whitelist while testing from an external connection.
- Confirm that players can connect from outside the local network without exposing unrelated devices or services.
Managed hosting can remove much of the router and uptime work, but it does not eliminate the need to understand backups, plugins, permissions and version compatibility.
Self-hosting versus managed Minecraft hosting
Neither model is universally better. Self-hosting is attractive when you already control a reliable machine and want direct access to files and Java flags. Managed hosting is attractive when persistent uptime and a provider-maintained network are worth a recurring fee.
| Decision factor | Self-hosted Paper | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Initial setup | You install Java, Paper, startup scripts, firewall rules and possibly router forwarding. | The provider usually supplies a server panel and a prepared network endpoint; exact setup varies by service. |
| File and JVM control | Direct control of JARs, scripts, flags, logs and operating-system files. | Control depends on the plan and panel; some providers restrict JVM flags or system access. |
| Recurring cost | You pay for hardware, electricity and connectivity you already use, plus your own maintenance time. | You pay a recurring service fee in exchange for infrastructure and administration features. |
| Backups | You design, schedule and test them. | Backups may be included, optional or limited; verify retention and restore access. |
| Uptime | Depends on your power, internet connection, hardware and restart procedures. | Depends on the provider’s infrastructure and support; read its uptime and outage terms. |
| Network administration | You handle firewall, port forwarding, address changes and abuse exposure. | The provider normally supplies public connectivity, while you still secure the application. |
| Capacity | Limited by your CPU, memory, storage and upstream bandwidth. | Limited by the selected plan’s allocated resources and fair-use policies. |
| Plugin and version support | You choose the Paper build and can inspect all files directly. | You still choose compatible plugins, but panel tooling and provider policies may constrain versions. |
Choose self-hosting when control and hands-on administration are priorities. Choose managed hosting when avoiding home-network exposure and maintaining continuous availability matters more than full machine access.
Troubleshoot the failures you are most likely to see
“Unable to access jarfile” or a similar launch error
The command is pointing at the wrong filename or directory. List the files in the server directory, copy the exact JAR name into the command, and make sure the terminal is opened in the directory that contains it.
Java is the wrong version
Compare java -version with the compatibility table for your Paper/Minecraft release. Install the required major version or change the script to call the correct Java executable. Do not solve a Java mismatch by randomly adding flags; the server must start on a supported runtime first.
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The server stops at the EULA check
Read the EULA and set the agreement value in eula.txt only after accepting it, then restart. If you automate startup with com.mojang.eula.agree=true, ensure the operator has genuinely agreed and that the property is passed to the Java process in the form documented by Paper.
A plugin is disabled or throws errors
Read the first error and the plugin name in the startup log. Check its required Minecraft/Paper version and dependencies, restore the pre-update backup if necessary, and test the plugin alone on a staging copy. Avoid changing heap size or unrelated server properties unless the log indicates a resource problem.
Players cannot connect from outside the host
Confirm that the server is running, the client is using the configured port, the operating-system firewall permits that port, and any router forwarding targets the correct internal machine. Test from a genuinely external network. If your connection uses carrier-grade NAT or blocks inbound traffic, home port forwarding may not be possible without a different network arrangement or managed hosting.
Lag appears after adding content
Compare behavior before and after the change, inspect the Paper and plugin logs, and check CPU, memory, disk and network use while the lag occurs. Reduce view or simulation distance temporarily to isolate world-load pressure. Remove or roll back the newest plugin or configuration change only after preserving logs and a backup.
A maintenance routine that prevents avoidable outages
- Record the Paper build, Minecraft version, Java major version, launch flags and installed plugins.
- Back up worlds and plugin data on a schedule and keep at least one copy separate from the live server.
- Test a restore periodically; a backup that has never been restored is an assumption, not a recovery plan.
- Apply Paper, Java and plugin updates in a staging copy first.
- Read startup logs after every restart and investigate warnings that affect authentication, world loading, permissions or plugin initialization.
- Review whitelist, operator accounts, RCON and management settings whenever staff changes.
- Monitor storage space so logs and world growth cannot silently fill the disk.
- Schedule maintenance announcements and stop the server cleanly before copying or upgrading world data.
What a sensible first deployment looks like
For a private group, begin with a supported Paper/Minecraft version, the matching Java runtime, a dedicated directory, a documented launch script and a whitelist. Keep the default port unless you have a reason to change it, set view and simulation distances conservatively, and add only the plugins the group actually needs. Test from both the host and an external connection before inviting everyone.
For a public server, add a tested backup and restore process, least-privilege operating-system access, firewall rules, protected remote administration, monitoring and a written update procedure before advertising the address. Paper supplies the server software, but reliability comes from the surrounding operational choices.
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