Configure Server Properties

Accessing server.properties

1. Log in to your panel
2. Navigate to your Minecraft server
3. Open the File Manager
4. Locate server.properties in the server's root directory
5. Click to open and edit

Important Server Properties

Network Settings

server-port

The port your server listens on. Default is 25565.

server-port=25565

Note: If you change this, players must connect using your-server-ip:port

server-ip

Leave blank to bind to all network interfaces, or specify an IP address.

server-ip=

Game Mode Settings

gamemode

Default game mode for new players. Options: survival, creative, adventure, spectator

gamemode=survival

force-gamemode

Forces players into the default game mode.

force-gamemode=false

difficulty

Server difficulty. Options: peaceful, easy, normal, hard

difficulty=normal

Player Limits

max-players

Maximum number of players allowed on the server.

max-players=20

max-world-size

Maximum size of the world in blocks. Default is 29999984.

max-world-size=29999984

World Settings

level-name

Name of the world folder. Change this to use a different world.

level-name=world

level-seed

Seed for world generation. Leave blank for random.

level-seed=

level-type

World type. Options: default, flat, largeBiomes, amplified, custom

level-type=default

generate-structures

Whether to generate structures like villages and strongholds.

generate-structures=true

spawn-monsters

Whether monsters can spawn.

spawn-monsters=true

spawn-animals

Whether animals can spawn.

spawn-animals=true

spawn-npcs

Whether NPCs (villagers) can spawn.

spawn-npcs=true

Performance Settings

view-distance

Maximum chunk render distance (2-32). Higher values use more resources.

view-distance=10

simulation-distance

Maximum chunk simulation distance (2-32). Lower values improve performance.

simulation-distance=10

max-tick-time

Maximum milliseconds per tick before server warns. Set to -1 to disable.

max-tick-time=60000

Security Settings

online-mode

Requires players to authenticate with Mojang. Set to false for offline mode.

online-mode=true

white-list

Enables the whitelist feature.

white-list=false

enforce-whitelist

Enforces whitelist even for server operators.

enforce-whitelist=false

enforce-secure-profile

Requires players to have a secure profile (signed chat).

enforce-secure-profile=true

PvP and Combat

pvp

Enables player versus player combat.

pvp=true

allow-flight

Allows players to fly (useful for creative mode or plugins).

allow-flight=false

Resource Packs

resource-pack

URL to a resource pack that players will be prompted to download.

resource-pack=

resource-pack-prompt

Optional message shown when prompting for resource pack.

resource-pack-prompt=

require-resource-pack

Forces players to use the resource pack to join.

require-resource-pack=false

Chat and Communication

enable-command-block

Enables command blocks in the world.

enable-command-block=false

enable-query

Enables GameSpy4 query protocol.

enable-query=false

enable-rcon

Enables Remote Console (RCON) for remote server management.

enable-rcon=false

rcon.port

Port for RCON connection.

rcon.port=25575

rcon.password

Password for RCON access. Keep this secure!

rcon.password=

Other Settings

motd

Message of the Day shown in server list.

motd=A Minecraft Server

max-build-height

Maximum build height in blocks.

max-build-height=320

network-compression-threshold

Compression threshold for network packets. Set to -1 to disable.

network-compression-threshold=256

op-permission-level

Permission level for operators (1-4). Higher = more permissions.

op-permission-level=4

function-permission-level

Permission level required to use functions (1-4).

function-permission-level=2

max-chained-neighbor-updates

Limits cascading block updates to prevent lag.

max-chained-neighbor-updates=1000000

Common Configuration Examples

Small Private Server

max-players=10
difficulty=easy
pvp=false
white-list=true
view-distance=8

Public PvP Server

max-players=50
difficulty=hard
pvp=true
online-mode=true
view-distance=10
spawn-monsters=true

Creative Server

gamemode=creative
force-gamemode=true
pvp=false
spawn-monsters=false
enable-command-block=true

Performance-Optimized Server

view-distance=8
simulation-distance=6
max-tick-time=-1
network-compression-threshold=512

Applying Changes

After editing server.properties:

1. Save the file
2. Restart your server for changes to take effect
3. Check the console for any errors related to invalid settings

Troubleshooting

Server Won't Start After Changes

1. Check for typos in property names
2. Verify value formats are correct
3. Check the server console for specific error messages
4. Revert recent changes one by one to identify the problem

Changes Not Taking Effect

1. Ensure you saved the file
2. Verify the server was fully restarted
3. Check that you're editing the correct server.properties file
4. Some settings require a world restart, not just a server restart

Invalid Property Values

Common mistakes:

• Using quotes around values (don't use quotes)
• Extra spaces around the = sign
• Invalid option values (check the allowed values above)
• Missing required properties

Best Practices

• Backup First: Always backup server.properties before making changes
• Test Changes: Test configuration changes on a test server first
• Document Changes: Keep notes on why you changed specific settings
• Start Conservative: Begin with default values and adjust based on needs
• Monitor Performance: Watch server performance after changing resource-related settings
• Security First: Always use online-mode=true for public servers