Minecraft
How to Change Minecraft Server Version
Guide to changing your Minecraft server version safely.
Change your server version to access new features or maintain compatibility with players.
Changing the Version
- Stop your server and create a backup
- Go to the Startup tab and change the
Versionfield - Go to the Settings tab and click Reinstall
- Start your server and run
/versionto verify
Warning
Downgrading is difficult and can corrupt worlds. Always backup first and check for incompatible blocks.
Java Version Requirements
If you get a Java error, change the Java Version in the Settings tab:
- Java 8: Minecraft 1.14 - 1.16.5
- Java 16: Minecraft 1.17 - 1.17.1
- Java 17: Minecraft 1.18+ (Recommended)
- Java 18-21: Latest versions
Common Issues
Server won't start
- Java version incompatibility
- Fix: Update Java version in Settings tab
World corruption after downgrading
- Newer world data isn't compatible with older versions
- Fix: Restore from backup or use conversion tools
Plugins stop working
- Plugin compatibility varies between versions
- Fix: Update plugins to compatible versions
Players can't connect
- Client-server version mismatch
- Fix: Have players update their Minecraft client