How to Host a Minecraft Bedrock Server

Welcome, Dev, to this comprehensive guide on how to set up and host a Minecraft Bedrock server. Minecraft is a popular game among gamers worldwide, and hosting your own Minecraft server is a great way to play the game with friends and family. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about setting up and hosting a Minecraft Bedrock server.

1. System Requirements

Before you get started with the process, it’s essential to check if your system meets the minimum requirement needed to run a Minecraft Bedrock server. The system requirement for running a Minecraft Bedrock server includes:

If your system meets these requirements, you can proceed with the setup process.

2. Downloading the Minecraft Server Software

The first step in setting up a Minecraft Bedrock server is to download the Minecraft server software. Follow the steps below to download the Minecraft server software:

1. Visit the official Minecraft website and click on the “Download” button on the top menu.
2. Scroll down to the “Minecraft: Bedrock Server” section and click on the download link for your desired platform.
3. Once the download process is complete, extract the downloaded file to a folder.

3. Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is a crucial step in hosting a Minecraft server. It allows players to connect to your server from outside your local network. Follow the below steps to port forward your server:

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel
2. Navigate to the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” section
3. Click on “Add new port forwarding rule”
4. Enter a name for this rule, such as “Minecraft Server”
5. Enter the IP address of your computer that will host the server
6. Enter the port number that the server will use, which is usually 19132 for Bedrock edition
7. Save the changes and restart your router

4. Server Configuration

After port forwarding, you need to configure your server settings before you start it. You can follow these steps:

1. Open the folder where you extracted the Minecraft server software
2. Open the “server.properties” file with a text editor
3. Edit the following settings to your liking:

Server Properties

5. Starting the Server

After configuring the server settings, you can start the Minecraft server. Follow these steps to start the server:

1. Open the folder where you extracted the Minecraft server software
2. Double-click on the “start.bat” file to start the server
3. The server console will display on the screen
4. Once the server is up and running, you can connect from your game client by entering your server’s IP address and port number.

FAQs

1. How Many Players Can Join My Server?

The number of players that can join your server depends on the server’s configuration. By default, a Minecraft Bedrock server can handle up to 30 players, but you can increase or decrease the number by changing the “max-players” property in the server.properties file.

2. Do I Need a Powerful Computer to Host a Minecraft Server?

You don’t need a powerful computer to host a Minecraft server. As long as your computer meets the minimum system requirements, you can host a server without any issues. However, the number of players that can join your server depends on your computer’s processing power and the available RAM.

3. Can I Host a Minecraft Server for Free?

Yes, you can host a Minecraft server for free, but it requires some technical expertise. There are many online solutions that offer free hosting for Minecraft servers, but they often come with limitations such as limited resources, limited number of players, and restricted access to server files. You can also host a server on your computer for free, but you need to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and that you have a stable and fast internet connection.

4. How Do I Manage My Minecraft Server?

You can manage your Minecraft server using the console window that appears when you start the server. The console window displays server status, player activity, and system messages. You can also install third-party server management tools that provide additional features such as player tracking, server chat, and more.

5. Can I Play Minecraft on My Server?

Yes, you can play Minecraft on your server. However, you need to ensure that you have a separate account for playing and hosting the server. Hosting a server and playing the game on the same computer may cause performance issues and lag.

6. Can I Install Mods on My Server?

Yes, you can install mods on your Minecraft server. However, you need to ensure that the mods are compatible with the Bedrock edition of Minecraft and that they don’t affect the server’s performance or stability. Installing mods on a server requires some technical expertise, and it’s recommended that you backup your server files before installing any mods.

7. How Do I Protect My Server from Hackers and Griefers?

Protecting your Minecraft server from hackers and griefers requires some basic security measures. You can use a firewall to block unauthorized access to your server, use strong passwords and usernames, and enable two-factor authentication if possible. You can also install plugins or mods that provide protection against griefers and hackers.

That’s it, Dev! We hope this guide has been helpful in setting up and hosting your own Minecraft Bedrock server. Enjoy hosting and playing the game with your friends and family!