# How to change the Minecraft version of your server

> Switch the Minecraft version or the server software from the panel, and what to check before you do.

Source: https://fadehost.com/docs/change-version/

The Minecraft version, the software (Paper, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, vanilla and so on) and the loader build are one setting, changed in one place.

## Change it

1. Stop the server.
2. Open **Server Software** in the header of the server page.
3. Pick the **Category**, the **Loader** or software, the **Version** and, where it applies, the **Build**. Save.
4. Start. The new server jar is downloaded and the right Java version is picked for you.

## Before you switch

- **Take a backup.** A world opened by a newer version cannot be opened by the older one again. **Backups**, then start.
- **Going up a version** is supported by the game: the world is upgraded on first boot. Plugins and mods must be updated to the new version; the **Installed** view in **Resources** shows which ones have a release for it.
- **Going down** is not supported by Minecraft. Restore a backup from before the upgrade instead.
- **Changing software** (Paper to Fabric, for example) keeps the world. Plugins do not carry over to a mod loader and mods do not carry over to Paper.

## Modpack servers

A server created from a modpack follows the pack's own versions: the **Server Software** menu shows the pack's releases instead of plain Minecraft versions. Switching a modpack server to a different Minecraft version than its pack was built for breaks the pack; the panel warns before it lets you. **Detach** turns the server into a plain modded server if you want to leave the pack.

## Good to know

- New Minecraft releases appear in the list within a day of their release; snapshots are listed for vanilla.
- Minecraft 26.1 and newer need Java 25, 1.20.5 to 1.21 need Java 21, 1.18 to 1.20.4 need Java 17. All handled for you.