Creating a private Minecraft server can be a great way to play with your friends or create a safe and controlled environment for younger players. The best part is, you can set up your very own private server absolutely free! In this tutorial, we will show you how to do just that.
Step 1: Download the Minecraft Server Software
To start off, you’ll need to download the Minecraft server software from the official Minecraft website. Make sure to download the latest version of the server software compatible with your operating system. Once downloaded, create a new folder on your computer where you want to store the server files.
Step 2: Set Up the Server
Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the server software and open it. Inside, you’ll find a file called “eula.txt”. Open this file using a text editor and change “eula=false” to “eula=true” to accept the End User License Agreement.
Configure Server Settings
In order to customize your private Minecraft server, open the file called “server.properties” in a text editor. Here, you can modify various settings such as game mode, difficulty level, maximum players allowed, and more. Take some time to explore these settings and tailor them according to your preferences.
Step 3: Port Forwarding (Optional)
If you want other players outside of your local network to join your private server, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router. This step involves accessing your router’s settings and forwarding incoming connections from port 25565 (default Minecraft server port) to your computer’s local IP address. Note: Port forwarding may vary depending on your router model, so refer to your router’s documentation or website for specific instructions.
Step 4: Start the Server
To start your Minecraft server, simply double-click on the “minecraft_server.jar” file you downloaded. A command prompt window will open, and you’ll see various messages indicating that the server is starting up.
Once you see the message “Done! “, your server is up and running.
Joining Your Server
To join your own Minecraft server, open your Minecraft game and click on “Multiplayer”. Then, click on “Add Server” and enter a name for your server.
In the “Server Address” field, enter “localhost” or your computer’s local IP address if connecting from another device on your local network. Click “Done” and then double-click on your server in the multiplayer menu to join.
Step 5: Invite Friends to Join
To invite friends to join your private Minecraft server, provide them with your public IP address (you can find this by searching “what is my IP” on Google). If you have set up port forwarding, they can connect using the <your-public-ip-address>:25565. If not, they can connect using your computer’s local IP address if they are on the same local network as you.
Create a Server Whitelist (Optional)
If you want to restrict access to only certain players, you can create a whitelist by adding their usernames to a file called “whitelist.json”. Open this file in a text editor and add each username inside square brackets [], separated by commas. Save the file and restart the server for changes to take effect.
Congratulations!
You have successfully created your own private Minecraft server absolutely free! Now you can enjoy endless hours of fun with your friends in a safe and controlled environment. Remember to explore additional server plugins and mods to enhance your Minecraft experience even more!
That’s all for this tutorial. Happy gaming!