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How to Install a Modpack on a Minecraft Server

A modpack is a ready-made collection of mods that adds new blocks and items or completely changes the game. In this tutorial, you’ll install a Fabric or Forge modpack on your server.

What you need before you start

Which Java version do I need?

Minecraft 1.20.5 and newer needs Java 21, versions 1.18–1.20.4 need Java 17, and 1.16.5 and older need Java 8. It’s best to remove other unneeded Java versions from your computer.

Installing the modpack

  1. Download the server files

    On CurseForge, open the modpack you want and download the Server Pack from the Files section.

    You’ll find the server files in the modpack’s files section.
    Common mistake

    Make sure to download the server-side files, not the client-side files. Client files won’t run on a server.

  2. Extract and run the modpack on your computer

    Extract the downloaded archive. The next steps depend on the modpack platform:

    Check whether there’s a .jar file among the files, e.g. fabric-server-launcher.jar or server.jar.

    Extracted Fabric modpack files.

    If a .jar file is there, skip steps 2 and 3 and continue from step 4. If not, run start.bat (or another .bat file).

    If the console asks you to accept the Java installation or the EULA, enter the confirmation text shown, e.g. I agree.

  3. Stop the server on your computer

    When the console shows that the server has started (e.g. Done (102.295s)! For help, type "help"), stop it with:

    stop
    The “Done” message means all files are ready.

  4. Delete the current server files

    Stop the Minecraft server in the Redfox Cloud control panel. Connect with your FTP client and delete the current server files.

    Make a backup

    This also deletes the server world. If you need it, download it to your computer first.

    Select all files and delete them.

  5. Upload the modpack files

    Drag all files from the modpack folder on your computer to the server in your FTP client.

    All modpack files are being uploaded.

  6. Start the server

    Rename fabric-server-launcher.jar (or the other existing .jar file) to:

    server21.jar
    Renaming the Fabric launcher file.
    The file is renamed to server21.jar.

    Start the Minecraft server in the Redfox Cloud control panel.

Did it work?

The first start of a modpack server can take a few minutes. Once it’s up, join with the same modpack and the same version on your computer.

FAQ

The modpack works on my computer but won’t start on the server (Forge)

Contact us via live chat and send us the libraries/net/minecraftforge/forge/<version>/unix_args.txt file, which you can download via FTP.

The Forge or Fabric server won’t start on my computer

It’s usually the wrong Java version. Install the Java JDK that matches the modpack’s Minecraft version (see “What you need”), remove other Java versions and run the .bat file again.

The server won’t start and the console shows errors

Make sure you uploaded the server-side files, not the client-side ones. Also check that no old server files remain after the upload.

Do players need to install the modpack?

Yes. Every player needs the same modpack in the same version, for example installed through the CurseForge app. Otherwise they won’t be able to join.

What’s the difference between a modpack and plugins?

Plugins run only on the server, so players don’t need to install anything. A modpack changes the game itself, so players need it too. More: How to upload a plugin to the server.

What’s next

If you run into trouble, contact us via live chat or email.

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