Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to host modded servers for friends or communities.
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Download and Install Minecraft Forge Server
First, you’ll need to grab the Forge server files from the official Forge website. Make sure you download the version that matches your desired Minecraft version – this is crucial for compatibility. Create a dedicated folder on your computer for the server files, as things can get messy quickly.
Download the Forge installer (not the MDK version) and run it. Select “Install server” and point it to your empty server folder. The installer will download all necessary files including the Minecraft server jar.
Configure Your Server Settings
Once installation completes, you’ll find several important files in your server directory:
- server.properties – Controls game settings like difficulty, world type, and player limits
- eula.txt – You must change “eula=false” to “eula=true” to accept Minecraft’s terms
- mods folder – Where you’ll place your .jar mod files
Edit the server.properties file to customize your experience. Key settings include server-port (default 25565), max-players, and gamemode. If you’re running this locally, you can leave most defaults unchanged.
Add Mods and Launch
Drop your chosen mod files into the mods folder. Remember that all players connecting to your server need the exact same mods installed on their clients – version mismatches will cause connection failures.
To start your server, run the forge jar file using Java. On Windows, create a batch file with: java -Xmx4G -Xms1G -jar forge-[version].jar nogui. Adjust the memory allocation (4G) based on your available RAM and number of mods.
Network Setup for Multiplayer
For friends to join from outside your network, you’ll need to configure port forwarding on your router. Forward port 25565 (or whatever you set in server.properties) to your computer’s local IP address. Players can then connect using your public IP address.
Alternatively, consider using services like Hamachi for easier setup, though this limits you to smaller groups. Always test your server locally first before opening it to others.
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TL;DR
Download Forge server installer, accept EULA, add mods to the mods folder, configure server.properties, and launch with Java. Port forward for multiplayer access.
