How to Install Mods on Your Minecraft Server

Minecraft servers offer many options for expansion and configuration. By adding mods to your Minecraft server, you can use new features, items, worlds, and gameplay mechanics. In this guide, we explain step by step how to easily install mods on your Minecraft server at ConsulHosting.

Note Mods can only be installed on servers running software that supports mods, such as Forge, NeoForge, Fabric, and Magma.

Adding mods easily

1. Log in to the game panel and go to your Minecraft server.
2. Open the Mods page.
3. Search for the mod you want using the search function.
4. Click the install icon and then choose the correct mod 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 mod by clicking the Install Mod button.
6. Restart the Minecraft server using the grey restart button and wait until the server has fully restarted.

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

Adding mods manually

1. Find the mod you want to add. Commonly used websites for this are Modrinth and CurseForge.
2. Download the Minecraft mod for the correct Minecraft version and mod loader.

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

3. Then log in to the game panel and go to your Minecraft server.
4. Open the Files page and click the mods folder.
5. Click the Upload button and choose Upload files. Then upload the mod you downloaded earlier.
6. Restart the Minecraft server using the grey restart button and wait until the server has fully restarted.

My mod is not working

There can be several reasons why a Minecraft mod does not work or why your server no longer starts. In this section, we go through the most common problems step by step.

Tip When your Minecraft server starts, an error message is usually shown in the console. Pay particular attention to messages that mention the name of the mod, a missing dependency or an incorrect version.

1. The mod 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 mod to make sure it supports the exact same Minecraft version.

A mod for an older or newer Minecraft version will usually not work on your current server. Even small differences between Minecraft versions can prevent a mod from loading.

2. The mod was made for different server software

Mods are developed for specific server software, also known as a mod loader. For example, a mod made for Fabric will not automatically work with Forge or NeoForge.

Check the download page of the mod to make sure you have downloaded the correct file for the server software you are using. You should also check whether the installed version of the mod loader is supported. Newer mods may require a newer version of the mod loader.

3. Additional mods are required

Some mods require additional mods or libraries to work correctly. These are also known as dependencies. Check the download page of the relevant mod to see whether any additional mods are required.

Common dependencies include Fabric API, Architectury API, Cloth Config API and GeckoLib. Make sure these mods are also compatible with the same Minecraft version and server software. Missing or incorrect dependencies can prevent the mod or the entire server from starting.

4. The mod must also be installed by the players

Some mods only need to be installed on the Minecraft server, while others must also be placed in the mods folder of every player. This mainly applies to mods that add new blocks, items, menus or other visible content to Minecraft.

There are also client-side mods that are only intended for the player's computer. These mods may not work on a Minecraft server. Check the download page to determine whether the mod is intended for the server, the client or both.

5. The mod conflicts with another mod

Two mods may modify the same parts of Minecraft and therefore conflict with each other. This can cause certain features to stop working or make the Minecraft server crash during startup.

First, temporarily remove the most recently added mods from the mods folder and restart the server. Are you unsure which mod is causing the problem? Remove part of the mods at a time until the server starts again. Keep in mind that required dependencies must remain installed together with the corresponding mod.

6. The server is not using the correct Java version

The required Java version depends on the Minecraft version. When your server uses an outdated or incompatible Java version, the server software and mods may fail to load.

Check which Java version is required for the Minecraft version you are using and select it in the game panel.

7. The mod configuration contains an error

Some mods create configuration files after the server is started for the first time. An invalid value, a corrupted configuration file or a setting from an older version of the mod can prevent the mod from working correctly.

Check the console to determine which configuration file is causing the problem. Create a backup first and then remove the relevant configuration file if necessary. After restarting the server, the mod will usually create a new configuration file with the default settings.