How to Host an MC Server on Your Own PC

Greetings, Dev! If you’re a Minecraft player who’s looking to create a private server that you can fully control, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of hosting an MC server on your own PC. This way, you’ll have complete control over everything, including the player list, the rules, and the mods.

Step 1: Check Your System Requirements

Before we dive into the hosting process, let’s make sure your PC is ready for it. Here are the things you need:

Requirement	Minimum	Recommended
Processor	Intel Core i3-3210	Intel Core i5-4690
RAM	4GB	8GB
Storage	100GB	500GB
Network Speed	1Mbps	5Mbps

If your system meets these requirements, you’re good to go! If not, consider upgrading your PC or selecting a hosting provider that meets these requirements.

Step 2: Install Java

The next step is to install Java. The MC server runs on Java, so this is a crucial step. You can download Java from java.com. Choose the right version for your system and run the installer. It’s a straightforward process that doesn’t require any special configuration.

Step 3: Download the MC Server Software

Now that you have Java, it’s time to download the MC server software. You can download it from the official Minecraft website, which is minecraft.net. Make sure to choose the right version for your system. Once you’ve downloaded it, extract the files to a new folder on your PC.

Step 4: Configure the MC Server

The server software comes with a default configuration that you can use, but we recommend that you customize it to fit your specific needs. Here are some of the things you can do:

Change the Server Name

You can change the server name to anything you like by editing the server.properties file. Look for the line that says “server-name” and change the value to your desired name.

Set Up Whitelisting

If you want to make your server private, you can set up whitelisting. This means that only players on the whitelist can join. To do this, look for the line that says “white-list” and change the value to “true”. Then, edit the whitelist.json file and add the usernames of the players you want to allow.

Add Mods and Plugins

If you want to add mods or plugins to your server, you can do so by adding them to the “mods” or “plugins” folder in the server directory. Make sure to follow the installation instructions that come with each mod or plugin.

Step 5: Port Forwarding

If you want your friends to join your server, you need to open up your network to them. This is done through port forwarding. The specific steps depend on your router, but here’s a general outline:

Find Your Router’s IP Address

You can find your router’s IP address by opening the command prompt and typing “ipconfig”. Look for the line that says “Default Gateway” and note down the IP address.

Access Your Router’s Settings

Open up a web browser and enter the IP address you just noted down. This will take you to your router’s settings page, where you need to enter your login credentials.

Set Up Port Forwarding

Look for the “Port Forwarding” section of your router’s settings and add a new rule for port 25565. Make sure to save the changes before moving on.

Step 6: Launch the MC Server

You’re almost there! To launch the MC server, navigate to the folder where you extracted the server files and double-click on the “minecraft_server.jar” file. This will open up a console window that shows the server logs. You can minimize this window and let the server run in the background.

FAQ

Q: Can I host an MC server for free?

A: There are some free hosting options out there, but they often come with limitations, such as low player limits, limited storage, and ads. Hosting the server on your own PC gives you complete control without any costs.

Q: Can I run the server on a laptop?

A: Yes, you can run the server on a laptop as long as it meets the minimum requirements.

Q: How many players can I host on my server?

A: The number of players you can host largely depends on your system’s specifications, especially your network speed. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than 10 players for every 1Mbps of network speed.

Q: Do I need to keep my PC on all the time to host the server?

A: Yes, you need to keep your PC running and connected to the internet for the server to be available.

Q: Can I change the game mode?

A: Yes, you can change the game mode by editing the server.properties file. Look for the line that says “gamemode” and change the value to “creative” or “survival” depending on your preference.