The server.properties file is your Minecraft server’s control center – a single text file that determines everything from world generation to player permissions. Most server crashes, connection issues, and performance problems trace back to misconfigured properties in this file.
Server properties control your Minecraft server’s core functionality including world settings, player limits, difficulty levels, game modes, and network configuration. Located in your server’s root directory, this file contains approximately 25-30 configurable options that directly impact gameplay experience and server performance.
Understanding the Server.Properties File Structure
Your server.properties file uses a simple key=value format. Each line contains one setting, and the server reads these on startup. Comments begin with # symbols, and blank lines are ignored.
Here’s what a typical file structure looks like:
File Location: Found in your server’s root directory alongside the server.jar file
Format: Plain text (.properties extension)
Encoding: UTF-8 (important for special characters)
The file generates automatically when you first run your Minecraft server software. If you delete it, the server creates a new one with default values on the next startup.
Essential Server Properties Configuration
World and Gameplay Settings
level-name=world
Sets your world folder name. Change this to load different worlds or create new ones. The server looks for a folder with this exact name.
gamemode=survival
Options: survival, creative, adventure, spectator. This sets the default mode for new players joining your server.
difficulty=easy
Controls mob spawning and damage: peaceful, easy, normal, hard. Peaceful mode disables hostile mobs entirely.
hardcore=false
When true, players get permanently banned after dying. Only works in survival mode.
Server Network Configuration
server-port=25565
The port players connect to. Change this if running multiple servers or if your hosting provider requires specific ports.
server-ip=
Leave blank unless you need to bind to a specific network interface. Most users should keep this empty.
online-mode=true
Enables Mojang account verification. Set to false only for offline/cracked servers, but this disables many security features.
max-players=20
Player limit for your server. Higher numbers require more RAM and processing power.
Performance and Resource Management
view-distance=10
How many chunks players can see (measured in chunks, not blocks). Higher values look better but use more server resources. Range: 3-32 chunks.
simulation-distance=10
Distance where the server processes game mechanics like mob spawning and crop growth. Keep this at or below view-distance.
spawn-protection=16
Radius around spawn where only operators can modify blocks. Set to 0 to disable spawn protection entirely.
Advanced Configuration Options
World Generation Properties
level-type=minecraft\:normal
World generation type. Options include minecraft:normal, minecraft:flat, minecraft:large_biomes, minecraft:amplified, or custom datapacks.
generate-structures=true
Controls villages, dungeons, temples, and other structures. Disable for performance gains in creative-only servers.
level-seed=
Specific world seed for consistent world generation. Leave empty for random generation.
Player Behavior Settings
pvp=true
Enables player vs player combat. Set false for peaceful community servers.
allow-flight=false
Permits flying in survival mode. Enable this if using flight-based plugins or mods.
allow-nether=true
Creates and allows access to the Nether dimension. Disable to save resources if not needed.
enable-command-block=false
Activates command blocks. Enable for adventure maps and automated systems.
Security and Moderation
white-list=false
When enabled, only players in whitelist.json can join. Essential for private servers.
enforce-whitelist=false
Kicks non-whitelisted players immediately when whitelist is enabled, even if they’re already connected.
op-permission-level=4
Operator permission level (1-4). Level 4 gives full server control including /stop and /ban commands.
Performance Optimization Through Properties
Server performance directly correlates with several property settings. Here’s how to optimize:
For Better Performance:
- Lower view-distance to 6-8 for populated servers
- Set simulation-distance equal to or lower than view-distance
- Disable generate-structures on creative servers
- Reduce max-players if experiencing lag
- Set allow-nether=false if dimension isn’t used
For Better Experience:
- Increase view-distance to 12-16 for scenic servers
- Enable spawn-protection for public servers
- Use online-mode=true for security
- Set appropriate difficulty for your community
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Common Configuration Mistakes and Solutions
Server Won’t Start After Changes
Check for typos in property names or invalid values. The server console usually shows specific error messages pointing to problematic lines.
Players Can’t Connect
Verify server-port matches your router/firewall settings. Ensure online-mode setting matches your server type (true for premium, false for offline).
Poor Performance
High view-distance and simulation-distance are common culprits. Start with lower values and increase gradually while monitoring server performance.
World Not Loading
Check that level-name matches your world folder exactly (case-sensitive). Ensure the world folder contains valid Minecraft world files.
Applying Changes and Server Management
After editing server.properties, you must restart your server for changes to take effect. Most properties cannot be changed while the server runs.
Safe Editing Process:
- Stop your Minecraft server completely
- Create a backup copy of server.properties
- Edit the file using a plain text editor (not Word or rich text editors)
- Save the file maintaining the .properties extension
- Restart your server and monitor the console for errors
For additional server setup guidance, check out our complete Minecraft server setup guide covering Java vs Bedrock configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change server properties while the server is running?
No, most properties require a server restart. Some settings like difficulty can be changed using in-game commands, but the properties file only updates on restart.
What happens if I delete the server.properties file?
The server automatically generates a new file with default settings on startup. Your world data remains safe, but all custom configurations are lost.
How do I reset server properties to default?
Delete the current server.properties file and restart your server. The new file contains all default values.
Can I use the same properties file for different server versions?
Mostly yes, but newer versions may add new properties or deprecate old ones. Always check the console for warnings about unknown properties.
Why won’t my server respect the max-players setting?
Some server software or plugins can override this setting. Check your plugin configurations and server software documentation for conflicts.
Mastering server.properties gives you complete control over your Minecraft server environment. Start with basic settings, test thoroughly, and adjust based on your community’s needs and server performance.
