How to Update Your Minecraft Server Version

How to Update Your Minecraft Server Version

Updating your server to a new version of Minecraft lets you and your players enjoy the latest features, blocks, and mobs.

This process is more involved than updating a plugin, as it can have major effects on your world and plugins. This guide will walk you through the safe and correct way to update your server.

Step 1: CRITICAL - Backup Your Entire Server

This is the most important step. Do not skip it. Updating the game version can lead to irreversible world changes or break plugins. A backup is your only safety net to restore your server if something goes wrong.

Before you proceed, please follow our complete guide on How to Create and Restore a Server Backup to ensure your data is safe.

Step 2: Update the Server JAR File

Next, you need to change the core server file to the new version. You can do this automatically through our panel or manually.

Method 1: Using the Panel's Version Installer (Recommended)

1. In your game panel, find the "Server Version" section.
2. Select your server type (e.g., Paper, Spigot, Forge).
3. From the version list, select the new Minecraft version you want to update to (e.g., 1.21.7).
4. Click "Install". The panel will automatically download and install the correct server JAR for you.

Method 2: Manual Update

1. Go to a trusted source like ServerJar.org or the official Paper/Spigot websites to download the JAR file for the version you need.
2. Once downloaded, rename the file to exactly server.jar.
3. Using an FTP client or the "File Manager" in your panel, delete the old server.jar from your server's main directory.
4. Upload the new server.jar that you just renamed into the main directory.

Step 3: Update ALL Plugins and Mods

Your old plugins and mods will likely be incompatible with the new version of Minecraft. You must update them before starting the server.

1. Go to the "Plugins" or "Mods" tab in your panel.
2. For every plugin/mod you have installed, check for a new version that is specifically made for your new Minecraft version and install it.
3. If a plugin or mod is no longer supported and doesn't have an update, you must either remove it or find a replacement.

Step 4: First Boot and World Conversion

The first time you start the server with the new version, it will need to convert your world data to the new format. This is an automatic process.

Be patient, as this can take a very long time for large worlds. Do not interrupt the server during this process. You can monitor the progress in the server console.

Step 5: Test Everything

Once the server is fully online, the final step is to test it thoroughly.

• Log into the game and check that your world is intact.
• Test all your plugins and commands to ensure they are working as expected.
• Check for any new errors in the console.

Conclusion

Updating your Minecraft server version is a major task that requires care and preparation.

By following the steps of backing up, updating the JAR, updating all your plugins/mods, and testing thoroughly, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition to the latest version of Minecraft.