Guides
Getting your server running
How to Run a Minecraft Server on Linux
Install Coalstack on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora or another distro, create a Java or Bedrock server, open the port, and keep it running headless under systemd.
How to Update a Minecraft Server Without Losing Your World
Move a Java server to a newer Minecraft version without breaking your world or your mods: what to back up, what to check, and how to undo it if it goes wrong.
How to Back Up and Restore a Minecraft Server World
Set up automatic backups for a Minecraft server, keep a copy off your computer, and restore an old world when something goes wrong. Java and Bedrock.
How to Import or Reset a Minecraft World (Java and Bedrock)
Replace your server's world with a downloaded or singleplayer one, or start over with a fresh seed, without losing the old world by accident. Java and Bedrock.
How to Link Several Minecraft Servers with Velocity
Put a Velocity proxy in front of your Paper or Purpur servers so players use one address for all of them. Step by step in Coalstack.
How to Make a Minecraft Bedrock Server (2026)
Run your own Minecraft Bedrock Edition server on a PC you own, so friends on phones, consoles, and Windows can join. Setup, ports, and the allow-list explained.
How to Make a Minecraft Server (2026)
A complete walkthrough for running your own Minecraft server on a PC you own: picking a platform, allocating RAM, letting friends connect, and keeping it alive.
How to Set Up a Fabric Minecraft Server on Windows
A beginner-friendly walkthrough for hosting your own Fabric server on your PC: what Fabric is, how to create a server, install mods, and keep it running safely.
How to Set Up a Modded Minecraft Server (Forge & NeoForge) on Windows
Host your own modded Minecraft server on your own PC: pick a mod loader, create the server, install mods, and keep it backed up.
Connecting players and managing remotely
How to Let Bedrock Players Join a Java Server (Geyser Crossplay)
Use Geyser and Floodgate so phone, console and Windows Bedrock players can join your Paper, Purpur or Spigot server, with no Java account. One tab in Coalstack.
How to Set Up a Custom Domain with Dynamic DNS
Give players a domain name instead of an IP, and keep it pointed at your server when your home IP changes. Covers DuckDNS (free) and Cloudflare.
How to Set Up Port Forwarding for Your Minecraft Server
Friends outside your network can't join your server? Forward the right port with Coalstack's UPnP tool or a manual router setup so they can connect.
Troubleshooting
Fixing a Server That Won't Start After Installing Mods
You installed a few mods, hit Start, and the server immediately crashes. Here is how to figure out which mod is the problem and get the server running again.
Fixing Java Version Mismatches
Server says 'A JNI error has occurred' or 'class file has wrong version'? Match the right Java version to your server and fix it for good.
Fixing 'Port Already in Use' Errors
Your server refuses to start and the log says the port is already in use. Here is how to find what is using it, free it up, and prevent it from happening again.