Outdated Minecraft servers are security risks waiting to happen. Beyond the obvious crashes and bugs, running old versions means missing critical patches, new features, and compatibility with modern plugins and mods. The good news? Updating your server takes about 10-15 minutes when you know what you’re doing.
What Happens When You Update a Minecraft Server
A Minecraft server update replaces your server’s core JAR file with a newer version. This file contains all the game logic, world processing, and networking code that makes multiplayer work. When Mojang releases updates, they’re fixing exploits, improving performance, and adding features that players expect.
Here’s the quick answer: Updating a Minecraft server involves backing up your world files, downloading the latest server JAR from Mojang or your server software provider (Paper, Spigot, Forge), replacing the old JAR file, and restarting the server. Most updates take 5-15 minutes depending on world size and plugin compatibility checks.
The tricky part isn’t the update itself—it’s making sure your plugins, mods, and world data survive the transition without corruption.
Before You Update: Essential Backup Steps
Never update without a backup. Server corruption happens, and when it does, you’ll want that safety net.
What to Back Up
- World folders (world, world_nether, world_the_end)
- Server properties file (server.properties)
- Plugin/mod folders with all configurations
- Whitelist and operator files (whitelist.json, ops.json)
- The current server JAR (so you can roll back if needed)
Most hosting providers include automated backups, but manual backups give you complete control over restore points. If you’re running a modded server like Enigmatica 6, back up your entire server directory—modpacks have dependencies that break easily.
Testing Your Backup
A backup you haven’t tested is just wishful thinking. Download your backup files and verify they’re not corrupted. Check file sizes against the originals—if your 2GB world folder backed up as 50MB, something went wrong.
How to Update Your Minecraft Server (Step-by-Step)
The update process varies slightly depending on whether you’re running vanilla Minecraft, Paper, Spigot, or a modded server. Here’s the universal method that works for most setups.
Step 1: Stop Your Server Safely
Don’t just kill the process. Use the proper shutdown command to let the server save all world data and close connections cleanly. Type stop in your server console or use your control panel’s stop button. Wait until you see “Closing Server” or similar confirmation.
Step 2: Download the New Server JAR
Where you download depends on your server type:
- Vanilla: Get it from Mojang’s official download page
- Paper: Download from papermc.io (best for performance)
- Spigot: Either download prebuilt or use BuildTools
- Forge/Fabric: Download the installer matching your Minecraft version
Make sure the version number matches what you want. Jumping multiple versions at once (like 1.16 to 1.20) often causes more problems than incremental updates.
Step 3: Replace the Server JAR File
Rename your old JAR file to something like server-old.jar instead of deleting it. Upload the new JAR and rename it to match your startup script. Most scripts look for server.jar or minecraft_server.jar.
If you’re using a hosting control panel, there’s usually an “Update Server” button that handles this automatically. GameTeam.io customers get one-click updates for all major server types, plus 20% off new servers for a limited time.
Step 4: Update Plugins and Mods
This is where most updates fail. Plugins built for 1.19 might not work on 1.20. Check each plugin’s compatibility before starting your server:
- Visit plugin pages on SpigotMC, Bukkit, or CurseForge
- Look for version compatibility notes
- Download updated versions if available
- Remove plugins that haven’t been updated (temporarily)
For modded servers, this step is critical. One incompatible mod crashes the entire server. Check your mod loader version (Forge/Fabric) and update it if the Minecraft version requires it.
Step 5: Start and Monitor
Start your server and watch the console output carefully. Look for:
- World conversion messages (normal for major updates)
- Plugin load confirmations
- Error messages about missing dependencies
- Performance warnings about outdated configurations
The first startup after an update takes longer because Minecraft converts world data to the new format. A 5GB world might take 5-10 minutes to convert. Don’t panic and restart—let it finish.
Common Update Problems and Fixes
Server Won’t Start After Update
Check your Java version first. Minecraft 1.17+ requires Java 17 or higher. Older Java versions throw cryptic errors. Update Java, then try again.
If plugins are the problem, start the server with all plugins removed. Add them back one at a time to identify the culprit.
Players Can’t Connect
Version mismatch is the usual suspect. Players need the same Minecraft version as your server. If you updated to 1.20.4, players on 1.20.1 can’t join. Update your server MOTD to show the current version.
For modded servers, players need the exact mod list and versions. Create a client-side modpack or provide clear installation instructions.
World Corruption or Missing Chunks
This is why backups matter. If chunks disappear or generate weirdly, restore from backup and try the update again. Sometimes running a world optimization tool like Chunky before updating prevents issues, especially on resource-intensive modpacks.
Massive Performance Drops
New Minecraft versions sometimes change world generation or entity processing in ways that hammer performance. Check your server.properties file—settings like render distance and simulation distance might need adjustment. Paper’s configuration files offer additional performance tuning options.
If performance stays terrible, your server might need more RAM. Minecraft 1.18+ worlds use significantly more memory due to increased world height.
Updating Different Server Types
Vanilla Minecraft Servers
The simplest to update. Download the new server JAR from Mojang, replace the old one, start the server. No plugins means no compatibility headaches.
Bukkit/Spigot/Paper Servers
Paper is the best choice for most servers—it’s Spigot-compatible but faster. Update Paper first, then test plugins individually. Most popular plugins update within days of a new Minecraft release.
Forge and Fabric Modded Servers
The most complex updates. You’re updating three things: Minecraft, the mod loader, and individual mods. Check the mod loader’s compatibility list before updating. Some mods take weeks or months to update for new Minecraft versions.
Fabric typically updates faster than Forge. If you’re planning a modded server and want easier updates, consider Fabric-based modpacks.
Proxy Networks (BungeeCord/Velocity)
Update the proxy software separately from backend servers. Velocity handles version mismatches better than BungeeCord—players on different Minecraft versions can connect to the proxy and get routed to compatible backend servers.
Update Best Practices
Update during off-peak hours when few players are online. Announce the update at least 24 hours in advance so players know to expect downtime.
Test updates on a local copy or staging server first. Clone your production server, update the copy, and run tests. This catches problems before they affect players.
Keep a changelog of what you updated and when. When something breaks three days later, you’ll know exactly what changed. Document plugin versions, configuration changes, and any custom modifications.
Don’t update immediately when a new version drops. Wait 3-7 days for critical bugs to be discovered and patched. Mojang often releases .1 or .2 patches shortly after major updates.
Consider your server security setup after updates. New Minecraft versions sometimes introduce exploits that get patched quickly. Stay current on security updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I update my Minecraft server?
Update for security patches immediately. For feature updates, wait until your essential plugins are compatible. Most servers update every 2-3 months when the plugin ecosystem stabilizes around new versions.
Will updating delete my world?
No, but world corruption can happen if the update fails. That’s why backups are mandatory. Minecraft converts world data during updates but preserves your builds and progress.
Can players on older versions join my updated server?
Usually no. Minecraft enforces version matching between client and server. Some proxy setups allow version mixing, but it’s complicated and breaks features. Update your players along with your server.
Do I need to update if my server works fine?
Eventually, yes. Old versions have security vulnerabilities that get exploited. Plugin developers stop supporting old versions. Players want new features. You can delay updates, but don’t skip them indefinitely.
What if my favorite plugin isn’t updated yet?
Wait or find an alternative. Running an outdated server to keep one plugin working isn’t worth the security risk. Contact the plugin developer—sometimes they’ll prioritize updates if enough people ask.
Keep Your Server Current Without the Headaches
Minecraft server updates don’t have to be stressful. Back up everything, update during quiet hours, and test before going live. Most updates complete smoothly when you follow the process methodically.
The biggest mistake server owners make is putting off updates until they’re multiple versions behind. Then updating becomes a massive project instead of routine maintenance. Stay within 1-2 versions of current, and updates remain manageable.
