How to Install a Custom Modpack via FTP

Guide: How to Install a Custom Modpack via FTP

This guide is for installing modpacks that aren't in our one-click installer, or for when you've customized a modpack and need to upload your changes. The process involves downloading a special "Server Pack" and then uploading its contents to the server using an FTP client (File Transfer Protocol).

We will use CurseForge for downloading and FileZilla for uploading in this guide.

Part 1: Preparing Your Modpack's Server Files

To prevent crashes, it is essential that you only upload files meant for a server. Do not upload the same modpack files you use to play the game on your own computer.

Step 1: Download the Official Server Pack

Most modpack creators offer a pre-configured "Server Pack" that contains only the necessary files for hosting. This is the safest and easiest method.

1. Go to the modpack's page on the CurseForge website.
2. Click on the "Files" tab to see all available downloads.
3. Find the version you want to install and look for a download labeled as a Server Pack.
4. Download this server pack file to your computer and unzip it into a new folder.

Step 2: Understand the Files and the Warning

Inside the unzipped server pack folder, you will find everything needed to run the server, such as the mods, config, and scripts folders, along with startup scripts.

IMPORTANT: Download Server-Side pack

It is crucial to use a server pack because it omits client-side-only mods (e.g., performance or visual mods like OptiFine). Your server will not start if you upload client-side-only mods.

Part 2: Uploading the Files to Your Server

Now we will connect to your MintServer and upload the files from the server pack.

Step 3: Connect to Your Server via FTP

FTP is the most reliable way to upload a large number of files. Before proceeding, you must connect to your server using an FTP client like FileZilla.

If you have never used FTP before, please follow our detailed guide to get connected: How to Use SFTP to Access Your Server Files.

Step 4: Clean Your Server and Upload Files

To prevent conflicts, it's best to start with a completely empty server.

1. In your FTP client, make sure you see your computer's files on the left and your server's empty directory on the right. If your server is not empty, delete all the existing files.
2. On the left side (your computer), navigate to the unzipped server pack folder from Step 1.
3. Select all the files and folders inside and drag them from the left panel over to the right panel (the server).

The upload will now begin. Modpacks contain thousands of files, so this process can take a very long time. Please be patient and wait for FileZilla's transfer queue to show as empty.

Part 3: Final Server Configuration

Once the upload is complete, there are a couple of final steps in the Game Panel.

Step 5: Set the Server JAR File

Your server needs to know which file to run to start the modpack.

1. Go to your Game Panel and navigate to the "Startup" tab.
2. In the "Server JAR File" field, you must type the exact name of the mod loader's JAR file that you uploaded. This is typically a Forge or Fabric file. You can find the exact name in the File Manager (e.g., forge-1.20.1-47.2.20.jar).
3. Make sure the correct Java Version is also selected on this page.
4. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to do this, please follow our dedicated guide: How to Update Your Minecraft Server Version.

Step 6: Start the Server

Go back to the "Console" page. You may need to accept the EULA in eula.txt if this is a fresh install. Then, click Start. The first startup of a large modpack can be very slow, so allow it 5-10 minutes to load completely.

That's it! Your custom modpack is now installed and ready to play.