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Minecraft Guide

The Complete Minecraft Server Guide

This guide covers running a Minecraft server on 8Bit Hosting. It covers first connection, configuration, plugins or mods, admin, performance, backups and security. Everything is done from the 8Bit Hosting panel.

1. Get your server online

Start the server from the panel and wait for Running. Open Multiplayer → Add Server and enter your IP (and :port if not 25565). Your IP and port (25565) are shown at the top of the server page.

2. Essential configuration

Open server.properties in the File Manager. The settings you'll touch most are gamemode, difficulty, max-players, pvp, view-distance, motd, level-seed. Edit, save, then Restart to apply. Always take a backup before large changes.

3. Adding plugins or mods

Use Paper/Spigot plugins (the plugins folder) or Forge/Fabric mods (the mods folder). Match every jar to your server type and exact version. Stop the server, add your files via the File Manager or SFTP, then start up and watch the Console for load messages. Keep everything matched to your server version, mismatches are the #1 cause of join failures.

4. Players & admins

Run op YourName in the Console; enable white-list=true + whitelist add for a private server. Only hand admin to people you trust, and use strong passwords for admin features.

5. Performance & optimisation

Run Paper, lower view-distance (8 to 10), pre-generate the world, and size RAM to your modpack. Watch the CPU/RAM graphs on your server page, if you're regularly near 100%, the simplest fix is moving up a plan. Schedule a daily restart to keep memory clean.

6. Backups & updates

Your important data lives in the world, world_nether and world_the_end folders. Use Premium Backups (off-site encrypted backups) before any big change. To update: Swap the jar/version in the Startup tab and restart (back up first).

7. Security & privacy

Whitelist or a login plugin keeps it private; remove both to go public. Combine a password/whitelist with a short admin list and regular backups for a safe, stable server.

8. Troubleshooting checklist

  • Won't start, accept the EULA (eula=true).
  • Can't join, client version must match.
  • Lag, fewer plugins, more RAM, lower view-distance.

Need a hand?

Open a support ticket with the error from your Console and our team will help you get sorted.

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