---
title: "How to Host a Dedicated Minecraft Server on Linux | ZCS"
description: "Host a dedicated Minecraft server on Linux step by step: Java, a service user, firewall, systemd, backups, domain and security for a VPS or dedicated machine."
url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-host-a-dedicated-minecraft-server"
updated: "2026-11-05T11:44:24.630443+00:00"
source: "ZCraft Studios"
---
> Site index for AI agents: https://www.zcraftstudios.com/llms.txt (full reference: https://www.zcraftstudios.com/llms-full.txt). Every page is available as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL or sending `Accept: text/markdown`.
1. [Home](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/)
2. [Blog](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog)
3. How to Host a Dedicated Minecraft Server on Linux
[ All posts](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog)
# How to Host a Dedicated Minecraft Server on Linux
ZCraft StudiosNov 5, 2026
Host a dedicated Minecraft server on Linux step by step: Java, a service user, firewall, systemd, backups, domain and security for a VPS or dedicated machine.
## In this guide
- [What "dedicated" means](#what-dedicated-means)
- [Step 1: prepare the machine](#step-1-prepare-the-machine)
- [Step 2: install Java](#step-2-install-java)
- [Step 3: install the server](#step-3-install-the-server)
- [Step 4: firewall](#step-4-firewall)
- [Step 5: run it as a service](#step-5-run-it-as-a-service)
- [Step 6: tune memory and flags](#step-6-tune-memory-and-flags)
- [Step 7: domain and backups](#step-7-domain-and-backups)
- [Step 8: plugins, permissions and security](#step-8-plugins-permissions-and-security)
- [Windows dedicated server](#windows-dedicated-server)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
- [Related reading](#related-reading)
## How to Host a Dedicated Minecraft Server on Linux
**Quick answer:** "dedicated server" means the server software running on its own machine, either a VPS or a physical dedicated server. To host one on Linux: update the system, create a non-root user, install the Java version your Minecraft version needs, download Paper, accept the EULA, open only SSH and port 25565 in the firewall, run it with `systemd`, and set up backups.
## What "dedicated" means
| Term | Meaning |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Dedicated server software | The server jar that runs without a game client |
| Dedicated machine | A whole physical server you rent |
| VPS | A virtual slice of a machine, also fine for this guide |
Choosing between them: [Dedicated Server vs VPS](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-dedicated-server-vs-vps).
## Step 1: prepare the machine
1. Log in over SSH and update packages.
2. Create a user for the server, not root:
```
sudo adduser minecraft
```
1. Use SSH keys and disable password logins.
## Step 2: install Java
Install the Java version your Minecraft version needs: Java 21 for 1.20 to 1.21.11 and Java 25 for 26.1 and newer. Check with `java -version`. See [Update a Minecraft Server to 26.1+](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-26-1-server-update-guide).
## Step 3: install the server
```
sudo -u minecraft -i
mkdir server && cd server
# download Paper from papermc.io/downloads/paper into this folder
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --nogui
```
The first run creates `eula.txt`. Read the EULA, set `eula=true`, and run it again. See [How to Start a Minecraft Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/start-minecraft-server) and [server.properties Explained](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-properties-explained).
## Step 4: firewall
Allow only SSH and the Minecraft port:
```
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw enable
```
See [Firewall Hardening](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-firewall-hardening).
## Step 5: run it as a service
Create `/etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service`:
```
[Unit]
Description=Minecraft Server
After=network.target
[Service]
User=minecraft
WorkingDirectory=/home/minecraft/server
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --nogui
Restart=on-failure
SuccessExitStatus=0 143
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```
Then:
```
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now minecraft
```
Systemd restarts the server after crashes and starts it on boot. To send commands, use a console wrapper such as `tmux` or RCON secured to localhost. See [Automatic Restarts and Crash Recovery](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-auto-restart-crash-recovery) and [RCON Security](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-rcon-security-guide).
## Step 6: tune memory and flags
Match RAM to your needs, and leave memory for the OS. See [How Much RAM Does a Minecraft Server Need?](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-much-ram-does-a-minecraft-server-need), [Aikar's Flags Explained](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/aikars-flags-performance-tuning) and [ZGC for Minecraft Servers](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/zgc-minecraft-server-flags-guide).
## Step 7: domain and backups
- Point a domain at the server with an A record. See [Custom Domain and SRV Records](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-dns-srv-record-guide).
- Back up the world, plugins and configs off the machine. See [Backup Script Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-backup-script-guide) and [Backup Strategy](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-backup-strategy).
## Step 8: plugins, permissions and security
1. Add a permissions plugin and the core plugins. See [Best Plugins by Category](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/best-minecraft-plugins-by-category).
2. Use a whitelist while testing. See [How to Whitelist Players](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-whitelist-players-minecraft-server).
3. Keep the system updated.
4. Protect against bots. See [Join Spam Defense](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-antibot-join-spam-defense).
5. Monitor with [spark](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-read-spark-profiler-minecraft).
## Windows dedicated server
The same steps apply. Install Java, run the jar in a folder you control, allow the port in Windows Firewall, and use Task Scheduler or a service wrapper to start on boot. Linux is the usual choice for public servers because of tools and lower overhead.
## Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Service will not start | Check journalctl -u minecraft and the Java version |
| Players cannot connect | Check the firewall and host's network rules. See [Port 25565 Not Working](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-port-25565-not-working) |
| Out of memory | Lower \-Xmx or add RAM. See [RAM and Java Errors](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-java-heap-ram-errors) |
| Crashes on start | See [Minecraft Server Won't Start](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-wont-start-errors-fixes) |
## Frequently asked questions
**How do I host a dedicated Minecraft server?** Install Java and Paper on a Linux VPS or dedicated machine, open port 25565, run it as a service and back it up.
**Do I need a physical dedicated server?** No. A VPS with fast CPU cores works for most servers.
**Which Linux distribution should I use?** A current Ubuntu LTS or Debian is common.
**How do I keep it running?** Use `systemd` with `Restart=on-failure`.
**Can I run several servers on one machine?** Yes, if CPU and RAM allow it.
## Related reading
- [How to Host a Minecraft Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-host-a-minecraft-server)
- [Minecraft VPS Hosting Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-vps-hosting-guide)
- [Docker for Minecraft Servers](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/docker-minecraft-server-setup)
## Continue reading
- [Choosing a Minecraft Server Host: Shared, VPS, or Dedicated](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/choosing-minecraft-server-host)
- [How to Host a Minecraft Server: Home, Hosting or VPS](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-host-a-minecraft-server)
- [RealisticNode vs Shockbyte: Which Minecraft Host Is Better?](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/realisticnode-vs-shockbyte-minecraft-hosting)
- [RealisticNode vs Apex Hosting: Which Minecraft Host to Pick](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/realisticnode-vs-apex-hosting-minecraft)
[ Previous guide EternalTags Commands, Placeholders and Permissions](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/eternaltags-commands-placeholders-permissions)[ Next guide Essential Minecraft Plugins: 15 Must-Have Server Plugins](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/essential-minecraft-plugins-list)