You can run a Minecraft server on your own computer or rent one from a hosting company

A Minecraft server is a separate copy of the game world that multiple players connect to at the same time. You have two main routes: run the server software on a computer you already own (free but that computer must stay on), or rent server space from a hosting company (costs money but the server runs all the time). The free option works well for a small group playing together, but it ties up one device and limits how many players can join.

The free route uses software called Minecraft Server, which you read from minecraft.net. It runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux. Your friends connect by typing your computer's IP address into their Minecraft client. If you want players outside your home network to join, you will need to open a port on your router — a technical step that varies by router model.

The paid route (usually $3 to $15 per month) removes these limits. A hosting company runs the server on their hardware, so your computer can turn off. You get a permanent server address, automatic backups, and support if something breaks. For a casual group of friends, the free option is worth trying first.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Minecraft Server software from minecraft.net and run it on any Windows, Mac, or Linux computer to host for free.
  • Your friends join by typing your computer's IP address into their Minecraft client, but your computer must stay powered on while the server runs.
  • To let players outside your home network join, you must open a port on your router, which requires accessing your router settings and varies by model.
  • Paid hosting ($3 to $15 per month) removes the need to keep your computer on and provides a permanent server address and automatic backups.
  • Java Edition servers are easier to set up than Bedrock Edition servers, and most free hosting options support Java only.

read and install the server software on your computer

Go to minecraft.net/read/server and read the file called server.jar. This is the actual server software. Save it to a new folder on your computer — create a folder called "Minecraft Server" on your desktop or in your Documents folder to keep things organized.

Before you run the server, your computer needs Java installed. Most Windows and Mac computers have it, but if the server will not start, read Java from java.com. On Windows, right-click the server.jar file, select "Open with", and choose Java. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal, navigate to the folder where you saved server.jar, and type java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui then press Enter. The server will create several files and folders in that directory.

The first time you run it, the server will create a file called eula.txt. Open this file in any text editor, find the line that says eula=false, and change it to eula=true. This confirms you accept Minecraft's End User License Agreement. Save the file and run the server again. This time it will fully start and create your world.

Find your computer's IP address so friends can connect

Your friends need your local IP address to join the server if they are on the same home network. On Windows, open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — it will look like 192.168.1.100 or similar. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type ifconfig, then look for "inet" under your active network connection.

Write down this address. Your friends type it into Minecraft's multiplayer menu under "Server Address" to join. If they are on your same WiFi network, this is all they need. If they are outside your home network, you will need to set up port forwarding (explained in the next section).

Your local IP address can change if your computer restarts or your router reassigns addresses. To keep it stable, you can set a static IP in your router settings, but this is optional for a small casual server. If the address changes and friends cannot connect, just tell them the new one.

Open a port on your router to let outside players join

If you want friends outside your home network to play, you must open a port on your router. This tells your router to send Minecraft traffic from the internet to your computer. The default Minecraft port is 25565.

Log into your router's settings by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser. Look for a section called "Port Forwarding" or "Port Mapping". You will enter your computer's local IP address, the port number (25565), and confirm. The exact steps vary by router brand — search "[your router model] port forwarding" for specific instructions.

After port forwarding is set up, your friends outside your network type your public IP address (not your local one) into Minecraft. Find your public IP by searching "what is my IP" in Google. Give this address to friends who are not on your home network. Keep in mind that opening a port creates a small security risk, so only do this if you trust the people joining.

Adjust server settings and world options

When the server starts, it creates a file called server.properties. Open this in any text editor to change how the server works. Some useful settings: gamemode=survival (or creative, adventure, spectator), difficulty=2 (0 is peaceful, 3 is hard), max-players=10 (how many people can join at once), and pvp=true (whether players can fight each other).

The server also creates a folder called world — this is your actual game world. If you want to start fresh, delete this folder and restart the server. If you want to use a world you already created in single-player, copy that world folder into the server directory and rename it to "world".

After you change server.properties, save the file and restart the server for changes to take effect. You can stop the server by typing stop in the server window (not by force-closing it, which can corrupt the world).

Keep the server running and manage it over time

The server window shows messages when players join, leave, and when errors happen. Leave this window open while the server is running — if you close it, the server stops. Your computer must stay powered on and connected to the internet for players to stay connected.

If your computer goes to sleep, the server stops. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep and set "Sleep" to "Never" while the server is running. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and uncheck "Put the display to sleep" and "Put the computer to sleep". This keeps your computer awake but still uses power.

Backups are important. Every few days, copy the world folder to another location (an external drive or cloud storage). If something corrupts the world, you can restore from backup. Some players also use backup plugins, but those require more setup.

When to move to paid hosting instead

Free hosting works for a small group, but it has real limits. Your computer must stay on 24/7, which costs electricity and wears out the hardware. If more than 10 to 15 players join, performance drops. If your internet goes down, everyone gets kicked out.

Paid hosting companies like Aternos, Nitrado, or Apex Hosting run servers on their own hardware. You pay monthly (usually $3 to $15 depending on player count), but the server runs all the time, performance stays smooth, and you get automatic backups and customer support. Aternos offers a free tier with limits — the server shuts down after 30 minutes of no players, but it restarts when someone joins.

If you are playing with just one or two friends and do not mind keeping your computer on, free hosting is fine. If you want a server that runs all the time or expect more players, paid hosting is worth the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own Minecraft Java Edition to run a server?

Yes, you need a valid Minecraft Java Edition account to play on the server. The server software itself is free, but each player needs their own copy of the game. Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10/11, consoles, and mobile) uses different server software and is harder to self-host for free.

What happens if I restart my computer or the power goes out?

The server stops when ready and all players get disconnected. When you restart your computer and run the server again, the world is still there — no data is lost. Your friends can rejoin, but they will lose any progress they made since the last save.

Can I run a server on a laptop or older computer?

Yes, but performance depends on the computer's specs. A laptop with 4GB of RAM and a decent processor can handle 5 to 10 players. Older computers may struggle with more than 3 to 5 players. The server uses less power than the game itself, so if your computer can run Minecraft smoothly, it can probably host a small server.

Is it safe to open a port on my router?

Opening a port creates a small security risk, but it is manageable. Only open the Minecraft port (25565) and only let people you trust join the server. Do not share your public IP address publicly. If you are uncomfortable with port forwarding, use paid hosting instead — they handle the networking for you.

Can I add mods or plugins to a free server?

Mods require a modified server called Forge or Fabric, which is more complex to set up. Plugins work on a different server type called Spigot or Paper. Both are possible on a free server but require extra steps beyond the basic setup described here. Start with vanilla (unmodified) Minecraft first, then explore mods or plugins later if you want them.