How to Install Minecraft Server Plugins

Make sure your server supports plugins

Before uploading anything, check your server software. Paper, Purpur, and Spigot are designed to support the Bukkit-style plugin ecosystem. A standard Vanilla Java server does not load these plugins by itself.

Fabric and Forge primarily use mods rather than normal Bukkit plugins. If a download says it is a Fabric or Forge mod, follow its mod installation instructions instead.

Step 1: Download a compatible plugin

Find the plugin from a source you trust and check its supported Minecraft and server software versions. Plugins are commonly distributed as .jar files.

Avoid downloading random reuploads of plugins. Besides potentially being outdated, untrusted server software can be a security risk.

Step 2: Stop the server

Stop the Minecraft server before making significant plugin changes. This avoids modifying plugin files while the server is actively using them and gives the server a clean startup afterward.

Step 3: Open the plugins folder

Open the server's file manager and locate the plugins directory. On a plugin-compatible server, this directory is normally created after the server has started successfully at least once.

Step 4: Upload the plugin

Upload the plugin's .jar file into the plugins directory. Do not extract the JAR unless the plugin's own documentation specifically tells you to do so.

Step 5: Start the server

Start the server and watch the console. A successfully loaded plugin will normally appear during startup and may create its own folder inside plugins for configuration files.

What if the plugin does not load?

The server console is the first place to look. Plugin loading errors often explain exactly what is missing or incompatible.

• Check that the plugin supports your Minecraft version.
• Check that it supports your server software.
• Look for missing dependencies.
• Make sure the file is actually inside the plugins directory.
• Check whether the plugin requires a newer Java version.
• Read the startup error instead of repeatedly restarting the server.

Plugin dependencies

Some plugins require another plugin or library to be installed first. If the console reports a missing dependency, find the dependency listed by the plugin developer, verify its compatibility, and install it too.

Changing plugin configuration

Many plugins generate configuration files after their first successful startup. Stop the server before making major configuration changes, edit the appropriate file, save it, and start the server again.

Plugins versus mods

Plugins and mods are not interchangeable. If you want a server based around Fabric or Forge mods, read our comparison before choosing your server software.