Applies to: Minecraft Java and Bedrock · Time: about 5 minutes · Difficulty: Beginner
A real server keeps your world running after you log off, so friends can join any time. This guide covers the fast way on Gravel Host, then the free way on your own PC.
- Go to gravelhost.com and pick Minecraft, either Java or Bedrock.
- Choose your RAM. 2GB runs vanilla for a few friends. Upgrade later if you add mods or more players.
- Click Order, fill in your details and check out. Your server is built before the confirmation email arrives.
¶ Start it and join
- Log in to the Game Panel and click Start.
- Watch the Console. When it says
Done, your server is live.
- Copy your server address from the sidebar with the copy button.
- In Minecraft, click Add Server, paste the address and join.
- Open Properties to change Difficulty and Game mode from the dropdowns.
- Turn on the whitelist if you only want your friends on the server.
- Want mods? Open Version Changer and pick Fabric or NeoForge instead of Vanilla. Then install mods from Modrinth or CurseForge on the Mods page.
- Download the server jar from minecraft.net into its own empty folder.
- Install Java 25. Older Java crashes new Minecraft versions on startup, and the error doesn't say why.
- Run the jar once. It stops straight away and writes
eula.txt.
- Open
eula.txt, change false to true and save. This accepts Mojang's terms.
- Run the jar again to build the world.
- Forward port
25565 (19132 for Bedrock) on your router and give your friends your home IP.
The catch: your PC has to stay on, your upload speed becomes the server's speed, and your home IP goes public. Fine for an evening with two friends. Not for a server you want people to find.
Your server shows as online in Minecraft's server list, and you can join it from the address you copied.
Read the last lines in the Console. A crash on startup usually points to a mod or version mismatch. Switch back to Vanilla in Version Changer to test.
Still stuck? Our team is on Discord, or open a ticket from the Billing Panel.