How to Install Plugins on Your Minecraft Server

Minecraft servers offer many options for configuration and expansion. By adding plugins to your Minecraft server, you can easily add new features, commands, and management tools. Popular plugins such as EssentialsX, WorldEdit, Dynmap, Geyser, LuckPerms, and many more have become almost essential. In this guide, we explain step by step how to easily install plugins on your Minecraft server at ConsulHosting.

Note Plugins can only be installed on servers running software that supports plugins, such as Paper, Purpur, Spigot, Sponge and Magma.

Adding plugins easily

1. Log in to the game panel and go to your Minecraft server.
2. Open the Plugins page.
3. Search for the plugin you want using the search function.
4. Click the install icon and then choose the correct plugin loader and Minecraft version.

Tip Not sure which software and version your Minecraft server is using? Go to Software under Management in the game panel.

5. Install the plugin by clicking the Install Plugin button.
6. Restart the Minecraft server using the grey restart button and wait until the server has fully restarted.

Adding plugins manually

1. Find the plugin you want to add. Commonly used websites for this are SpigotMC, Bukkit, and Hangar.
2. Download the Minecraft plugin that is compatible with your Minecraft server version.
3. Then log in to the game panel and go to your Minecraft server.
4. Open the Files page and click the plugins folder.
5. Click the Upload button and select Upload Files. Then upload the .jar file for the plugin you downloaded earlier.
6. Finally, restart the Minecraft server using the grey restart button.

Tip You can manage your installed plugins by clicking the Installed Plugins button in the top right under Plugins.

My plugin is not working

There can be several reasons why a Minecraft plugin is not working. In this section, we go through the most common issues step by step.

Tip During the startup process of your Minecraft server, an error message is almost always shown in the console. This error message often explains why the plugin is not working.

1. The plugin is not compatible with the Minecraft version

First, check which Minecraft version your server is using. To do this, go to Software under Management in the game panel. Then check the download page of the relevant plugin to confirm that it is compatible with your Minecraft version.

With new Minecraft versions, plugin developers often need time to update their plugins. Because of this, it may not always be possible to use the latest Minecraft release together with certain plugins right away.

2. Additional plugins are required

Some plugins need other base plugins to work properly. Check the download page of the relevant plugin to see whether any additional plugins are required.

Plugins that are commonly required include EssentialsX, ProtocolLib, PlaceholderAPI, LuckPerms, Vault, Floodgate, WorldGuard, WorldEdit, and Citizens.

3. Additional (port) configuration is required

Some plugins, such as GeyserMC, Simple Voice Chat, Dynmap, and NuVotifier, need an extra port to function properly. Create an extra port, enter this port in the plugin configuration, and then restart your Minecraft server.

Besides an extra port, it may also be necessary to adjust other plugin settings. This depends on the plugin. Always check the plugin documentation to see which configuration is required.

4. The plugin configuration contains an error

An error in the configuration can cause a plugin to be disabled. This can be caused by an extra space, a tab instead of a space, missing quotation marks, or an incorrectly configured value.

A failed database connection can also cause a Minecraft plugin to stop working.

To find the exact cause, check the console while the Minecraft server is starting. Pay close attention to warnings and error messages that mention the plugin that is not working.