How to Host a Free Minecraft Bedrock Server

Welcome Dev, hosting your Minecraft Bedrock server can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to Minecraft. However, it’s an excellent opportunity to gather your friends or create a community to play your favorite game. With this guide, you’ll be able to do that for free.

Section 1: Getting Started

Before we dive into the process, let’s first understand what the Minecraft Bedrock server is. The Bedrock server is a free server software that allows you to create and run your Minecraft game world without relying on a game provider.

Here are the basic requirements you need to start your Minecraft Bedrock server:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Windows, macOS, or Linux Computer	Windows or Linux Computer
4GB RAM	8GB RAM
At least 2 CPU Cores	At least 4 CPU Cores
At least 10GB of free storage space	At least 20GB of free Storage Space

Now that you have the basic requirements covered let’s start with the process of hosting a free Minecraft Bedrock server.

Section 2: Downloading and Installing the Server Software

The first step is to download and install the Minecraft Bedrock server software. Follow the instructions below to do so:

1. Go to the official Minecraft website and download the Minecraft Bedrock server software.
2. Extract the downloaded files to a new folder on your computer.
3. Open the server.properties file that will be located in the folder you just created in step 2.
4. Customize the server settings to your liking.
5. Save the server.properties file and close it down.
6. Run the Minecraft Bedrock server software.
7. Wait for the server to finish loading.
8. Invite your friends to join your server using the server IP address.

Section 3: Configuring the Server Properties

The server.properties file is a configuration file that defines how your server runs. There are several settings that you can customize in this file, including gameplay, server name, and port number. Here are some of the most important properties you should pay attention to:

Server Name

You can change the server name by editing the “server-name” property in the server.properties file. This is the name that will appear in the server list when players search for available servers.

Port Number

The “server-port” property is the port number that you use to connect to the server. The default port number is 19132. It’s important to configure your router to forward this port to your server computer so that players can connect to your server.

Gameplay Settings

You can also customize the gameplay settings with properties such as “gamemode,” “difficulty,” and “allow-cheats.” These properties will define how the players experience your server.

Section 4: Adding Plugins and Mods

The Minecraft Bedrock server software supports plugins and mods, which can enhance your server’s gameplay experience. Here’s how you can add them:

1. Download the plugin or mod that you want to add.
2. Extract the plugin files to the “plugins” folder in your server directory.
3. Restart your Minecraft Bedrock server.

Section 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Hosting a Minecraft Bedrock server can be a challenging task, especially when you encounter technical issues. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Port Forwarding

If players cannot connect to your server, it may be due to port forwarding issues. Make sure that you have correctly configured your router to forward the port that your server is using.

Server Performance

If your server is lagging, it may be due to low server performance. Upgrade your server hardware or limit the number of players who can connect to the server. You can also try optimizing the server settings in the server.properties file.

Server Crashes

If your Minecraft Bedrock server keeps crashing, it may be due to an incompatible plugin or mod. Disable the plugin or mod and restart the server to see if the issue is resolved.

Section 6: Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You’ve successfully hosted your own Minecraft Bedrock server for free. Customizing the server settings, adding plugins and mods, and troubleshooting issues are just a few things you can do to enhance your server’s experience.

If you have any questions or issues, the Minecraft community on forums like Reddit and Discord are great places to ask for help. Good luck, and happy hosting!

FAQs

1. Can I host a Minecraft Bedrock server without a game provider?

Yes, you can host a Minecraft Bedrock server for free using the server software provided by Minecraft.

2. What are the minimum requirements for hosting a Minecraft Bedrock server?

You need a computer with at least 4GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, and 10GB of free storage space to host a Minecraft Bedrock server.

3. Can I customize the server settings?

Yes, you can customize the server settings in the server.properties file to your liking.

4. Can I add plugins and mods to my Minecraft Bedrock server?

Yes, you can add plugins and mods to enhance your Minecraft Bedrock server’s gameplay experience.

5. What should I do if my server keeps crashing?

If your server keeps crashing, it may be due to an incompatible plugin or mod. Disable the plugin or mod and restart the server to see if the issue is resolved.