How to Setup a Minecraft Server on Linux

Complete step-by-step guide for installing and configuring a Minecraft server on Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian systems.

Published: March 5, 2026 | Author: NGP Hosts Team | Tags: linux server setup tutorial | Reading time: 8 minutes

Introduction

Setting up a Minecraft server on Linux provides excellent performance, stability, and control over your gaming environment. Whether you're running a small private server for friends or a large public community, Linux offers the reliability needed for 24/7 operation. This comprehensive guide covers everything from Java installation to server optimization.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • A Linux server (Ubuntu 20.04+, CentOS 8+, or Debian 11+)
  • Minimum 2GB RAM for basic servers, 4GB+ recommended
  • At least 10GB free disk space
  • SSH access with sudo privileges
  • Basic Linux command line knowledge

Step 1: Update Your System

First, update your system packages to ensure everything is current:

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

For CentOS/RHEL:

sudo yum update -y

Step 2: Install Java Development Kit

Minecraft requires Java to run. We'll install OpenJDK 17, which is recommended for modern Minecraft versions.

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk -y

CentOS/RHEL:

sudo yum install java-17-openjdk-devel -y

Verify the installation:

java -version

You should see output similar to:

openjdk version "17.0.2" 2022-01-18
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 17.0.2+8)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.0.2+8, mixed mode, sharing)

Step 3: Create a Dedicated User

For security, create a dedicated user for running the Minecraft server:

sudo adduser minecraft
sudo usermod -aG sudo minecraft

Switch to the new user:

su - minecraft

Step 4: Download Minecraft Server Files

Navigate to the home directory and download the latest Minecraft server JAR file:

cd ~
wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/3737db488274a7b21b034b302c1ceaf1c944251e/server.jar

Note: The URL above is for Minecraft 1.20.4. Check the official Minecraft server download page for the latest version.

Step 5: Configure Server Properties

Start the server once to generate the configuration files:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

The server will stop and ask you to agree to the EULA. Edit the eula.txt file:

nano eula.txt

Change eula=false to eula=true and save the file (Ctrl+X, Y, Enter).

Now, let's configure the server properties:

nano server.properties

Key settings to modify:

# Server name
server-name=My Minecraft Server

# Game mode (0=Survival, 1=Creative, 2=Adventure, 3=Spectator)
gamemode=0

# Difficulty (0=Peaceful, 1=Easy, 2=Normal, 3=Hard)
difficulty=2

# Maximum players
max-players=20

# Server port (default 25565)
server-port=25565

# Enable whitelist (true/false)
white-list=false

# Allow flight (true/false)
allow-flight=false

# Spawn protection radius
spawn-protection=16

# View distance (2-32)
view-distance=10

# Server IP (leave blank for all interfaces)
server-ip=

Step 6: Create a Startup Script

Create a script to easily start your server with proper memory allocation:

nano start.sh

Add the following content (adjust memory values based on your server resources):

#!/bin/bash

# Server startup script
java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+DisableExplicitGC -XX:+AlwaysPreTouch -XX:G1NewSizePercent=30 -XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5 -XX:G1MixedGCCountTarget=4 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=15 -XX:G1MixedGCLiveThresholdPercent=90 -XX:G1RSetUpdatingPauseTimePercent=5 -XX:SurvivorRatio=32 -XX:+PerfDisableSharedMem -XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=1 -Dusing.aikars.flags=https://mcflags.emc.gs -Daikars.new.flags=true -jar server.jar nogui

Make the script executable:

chmod +x start.sh

Step 7: Configure Firewall

Open the Minecraft port in your firewall:

Ubuntu (UFW):

sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw reload

CentOS (firewalld):

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=25565/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Step 8: Port Forwarding (If Required)

If your server is behind a NAT router, you'll need to forward port 25565:

  1. Access your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Find the port forwarding section
  3. Forward external port 25565 to your server's internal IP on port 25565
  4. Save and restart your router if necessary

Step 9: Start Your Server

Run the startup script:

./start.sh

Your server should now be running! You can connect using your server's IP address and port 25565.

Step 10: Create a Systemd Service (Optional)

For automatic startup on boot, create a systemd service:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service

Add the following content:

[Unit]
Description=Minecraft Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=minecraft
Group=minecraft
WorkingDirectory=/home/minecraft
ExecStart=/home/minecraft/start.sh
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable minecraft
sudo systemctl start minecraft

Check the service status:

sudo systemctl status minecraft

Optimization Tips

Memory Allocation

Adjust memory based on your server size:

  • 1-5 players: 1-2GB RAM
  • 5-10 players: 2-4GB RAM
  • 10-20 players: 4-6GB RAM
  • 20+ players: 8GB+ RAM

Performance Enhancements

Add these JVM arguments for better performance:

-XX:+UseG1GC
-XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled
-XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200
-XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions
-XX:+DisableExplicitGC
-XX:+AlwaysPreTouch
-XX:G1NewSizePercent=30
-XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40
-XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M
-XX:G1ReservePercent=20
-XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5
-XX:G1MixedGCCountTarget=4
-XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=15
-XX:G1MixedGCLiveThresholdPercent=90
-XX:G1RSetUpdatingPauseTimePercent=5
-XX:SurvivorRatio=32
-XX:+PerfDisableSharedMem
-XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=1

Server Properties Optimization

# Reduce view distance for better performance
view-distance=6

# Limit entity activation range
entity-broadcast-range-percentage=80

# Optimize chunk loading
max-chained-neighbor-updates=500

# Enable simulation distance (1.18+)
simulation-distance=4

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Server Won't Start

  • Check Java version: java -version
  • Verify file permissions: ls -la
  • Check disk space: df -h
  • Review logs in the console output

Players Can't Connect

  • Verify firewall settings: sudo ufw status
  • Check port forwarding on your router
  • Confirm server IP: ip addr
  • Test locally first: telnet localhost 25565

Performance Issues

  • Monitor RAM usage: free -h
  • Check CPU usage: top
  • Reduce view distance in server.properties
  • Consider using server optimization plugins

Security Best Practices

  • Keep your system updated regularly
  • Use strong passwords for server access
  • Enable firewall and only open necessary ports
  • Regular backups of your world files
  • Monitor server logs for suspicious activity
  • Use a whitelist for private servers

Conclusion

Setting up a Minecraft server on Linux provides excellent performance and reliability for your gaming community. With proper configuration and optimization, your server can handle dozens of players smoothly. Remember to regularly maintain your server, keep backups, and stay updated with the latest Minecraft versions for the best experience.

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