How to change the Minecraft version of your server

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.