How to Set Up RCON on Your Minecraft Server

What is RCON?

RCON (Remote Console) is a protocol that allows server administrators to securely execute commands on their server from a remote location, without needing to be logged into the game or the control panel. It's an incredibly powerful tool for managing your server, integrating with third-party applications (like donation stores or Discord bots), and performing administrative tasks on the go.

IMPORTANT: Use a Strong Password!

Enabling RCON gives direct, full-privilege access to your server's console. It is absolutely critical that you use a strong, unique, and randomly generated password. Do not reuse your MintServers account password or any other password. A weak RCON password is a major security risk.

Step 1: Allocate a Port for RCON

RCON requires its own dedicated port, which is separate from the main port players use to join your server. You will first need to allocate a new port specifically for this purpose.

For detailed instructions on how to do this, please follow our complete guide here: How to Allocate Additional Minecraft Server Ports.

When you create the new port, we recommend adding "RCON Port" in the description so you can easily identify it. Once allocated, copy the new port number as you will need it for the next step.

Step 2: Enable RCON in Your Server Settings

Now that you have a port, you need to tell the server to enable RCON and which port and password to use.

Stop your server from the main "Console" page in your Game Panel.
Navigate to the "File Manager" in the sidebar.
Locate the file named server.properties and click on it to open the editor.
Find the following lines in the file (you can use CTRL+F to search):
- enable-rcon=false
- rcon.port=25575
- rcon.password=
Change enable-rcon=false to enable-rcon=true.
In the rcon.port= line, replace the default value with the new port number you just allocated.
In the rcon.password= line, enter your new, strong, and secure password.
Click the "Save Content" button and Start your server.

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Step 3: Connect Using an RCON Client

To use RCON, you need a special program called an RCON client. You will need to provide three pieces of information to any RCON client:

Server IP: Your main server IP address (without the port).
RCON Port: The specific RCON port you allocated in Step 1.
RCON Password: The secure password you set in Step 2.

Once you enter this information into your chosen RCON client and connect, you will have a command line interface that sends commands directly to your server's console.

Recommended RCON Clients

While there are many RCON clients available, here are a few popular and well-regarded options to get you started:

Admin Tools: A user-friendly, web-based client. Because it runs in your browser, you don't need to install any software, and you can access it from any device. This is a great choice for ease of use.
mcrcon: A powerful and reliable command-line tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It's extremely popular for scripting and automating server tasks. This is the top choice for advanced users.
ARRCON: Another excellent cross-platform, command-line client that is lightweight and handles server responses well.

Conclusion

Setting up RCON opens up a new world of possibilities for server management. From automating tasks with scripts to managing your server from a mobile app, it's an essential tool for any serious Minecraft server administrator. By following these steps and keeping your password secure, you can take full control of your server from anywhere.

How to Set Up RCON on Your Minecraft Server