The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Minecraft Server in 2026

Choosing Your Server Type

Before starting, you must decide what kind of gameplay you want to offer.

• Vanilla: The base Minecraft experience.
• Paper/Spigot: Optimised for plugins, ideal for survival or economy servers.
• Fabric: Lightweight, perfect for performance mods and technical play.
• Forge: The standard for large-scale content mods.

On AwakeNode

Use our Version Changer in the panel to switch between these types instantly without needing to manually upload JAR files.

On other hosts

You will need to download the official server JAR from the project's website, upload it via SFTP, and configure your startup command to point to the correct filename.

Installing Plugins and Mods

Adding features is what makes a server unique.

On AwakeNode

Our Plugin Installer and Mod Installer allow you to search for and install content directly from the panel. This handles dependencies and updates automatically.

On other hosts

You must manually download .jar files, upload them to the plugins or mods folder via SFTP, and restart your server to apply the changes.

Managing Server Files

Regular maintenance involves editing configuration files like server.properties or bukkit.yml.

On AwakeNode

Use our built-in File Manager. It allows you to browse, edit, and save configuration files directly in your browser, removing the need for external SFTP clients.

On other hosts

You will need an SFTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP to download, edit, and re-upload your configuration files.

Optimising Performance

If your server is lagging, it may be due to insufficient RAM or inefficient settings.

• Upgrading RAM: On AwakeNode, simply upgrade your plan; the Xmx startup flag updates automatically. On other hosts, you must manually edit your startup script to increase the -Xmx value.
• Startup Flags: If you require specific Java garbage collection or performance flags, please contact Support. Our team will configure these for you to ensure optimal stability.