How to Make a Modded Minecraft Server​? Complete Guide

Introduction

Minecraft is an amazing game to play with friends, and adding mods can make it even more exciting! Mods allow you to add new features, items, and gameplay mechanics that aren’t available in the regular game. While there are paid services like Minecraft Realms or third-party server hosting websites, you can actually create your own modded Minecraft server for free! This guide will walk you through the entire process step by step, so even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll be able to set up your own server and play with friends.

What You’ll Need

Before we start, let’s make sure you have everything you need:

1. A Computer: Your computer should be powerful enough to run both Minecraft and the server at the same time. At least 4GB of RAM is recommended, but if you have more, that’s even better. Running a server can be demanding, so a decent computer will help avoid lag.
2. A Copy of Minecraft: You’ll need a legitimate copy of Minecraft to play and host the server. If you haven’t purchased it yet, you can buy it from the official Minecraft website.
3. A Stable Internet Connection: A good internet connection is important, especially if you plan to have multiple players on your server. A wired connection is better than Wi-Fi for stability.
4. Access to Your Router: You’ll need to log into your router’s settings to set up something called “port forwarding,” which allows players outside your home network to connect to your server. Don’t worry—I’ll explain how to do this later.

Step 1: Install Minecraft and Set Up Forge Mod Loader

First things first, you need Minecraft installed on your computer. If you already have it, great! If not, here’s how to get it:

1. Go to the official Minecraft website and download the game.
2. Run the installer and follow the instructions to install Minecraft on your computer.

Once Minecraft is installed, you’ll need to set up Forge. Forge is a tool that allows you to use mods in Minecraft. Here’s how to install it:

1. Go to the official Forge website and download the installer for Minecraft version 1.12.2.
2. Run the Forge installer. A window will pop up—click “OK” to install Forge.
3. After installation, open the Minecraft Launcher. Click on the “Installations” tab and create a new installation. Select version 1.12.2 from the list and name it something like “Modded Minecraft.”
4. Launch the game using this new installation. Once the game loads to the main menu, exit Minecraft. This ensures that all the necessary files are set up.

Step 2: Set Up the Forge Server

Now that Forge is installed, it’s time to set up the server files. Here’s how:

1. Reopen the Forge installer. This time, select “Install Server” instead of the regular installation.
2. Choose a folder on your computer where you want to install the server files. It’s a good idea to create a new folder specifically for your server, like “Minecraft Server.”
3. Once the server files are installed, go to the folder where you installed them. You’ll see a file named something like forge-1.12.2-14.23.5.2838-universal.jar. Double-click this file to run the server.
4. When you run the server for the first time, it will create some new folders and files, including eula.txt. Open this file in a text editor (like Notepad) and change eula=false to eula=true. This means you agree to the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). Save the file and close it.
5. Run the server file again. This time, a window will open showing the server logs. You’ll also see more files being created in the server folder. Congratulations—you now have a local Minecraft server running!

Step 3: Add Mods to Your Server

A modded server isn’t complete without mods! Here’s how to add them:

1. Go to a trusted mod website like CurseForge and download the mods you want to use. Make sure the mods are compatible with Minecraft version 1.12.2.
2. Once you’ve downloaded the mods, copy the .jar files for the mods.
3. Open your server folder and find the mods folder. Paste the mod files here.
4. Next, you’ll need to add the same mods to your own Minecraft game. To do this, press the Windows key and type %appdata% in the search bar. Open the .minecraft folder. If there isn’t a mods folder inside, create one. Paste the same mod files here.

This ensures that both the server and your game have the same mods installed, so you can connect and play without any issues.

Step 4: Reduce Lag and Improve Performance

Running a server can be demanding on your computer, but there’s a way to reduce lag and make things run smoother. Here’s how:

1. In your server folder, right-click and create a new text document. Name it something like Server Launcher.
2. Open the file and paste the following text:
   Copy

   java -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar forge-1.12.2-14.23.5.2838-universal.jar -o true nogui

   The number 2048 means the server will use 2GB of RAM. If your computer has more RAM, you can increase this number (e.g., 4096 for 4GB).

3. Save the file and change the file extension from .txt to .bat. This turns it into a batch file that can run the server.
4. Double-click the .bat file to start the server. This will allocate the specified amount of RAM to the server, reducing lag and improving performance.

Step 5: Set Up Port Forwarding

Right now, your server is only accessible to players on the same network as you. To allow friends from anywhere to join, you’ll need to set up port forwarding. Here’s how:

1. Find your public IP address by searching “What’s my IP?” on Google. Copy the IP address that appears.
2. Log into your router’s settings. To do this, paste your public IP address into your browser’s address bar. This will take you to your router’s login page. Enter your router’s username and password (if you don’t know these, check your router’s manual or contact your internet provider).
3. Look for the “Port Forwarding” section in your router’s settings. The exact location may vary depending on your router’s brand.
4. Enter the following information:
   • Application Name: Minecraft Server
   • Start Port: 25565
   • End Port: 25565
   • Protocol: TCP
   • Device IP: Enter your computer’s local IP address (see below)
   • Enabled: True
5. To find your computer’s local IP address, press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the command prompt, type ipconfig and look for the line labeled “IPv4 Address.” Copy this address and enter it as the “Device IP” in your router’s port forwarding settings.

Step 6: Launch and Enjoy Your Server!

You’re all set! To start your server, double-click the .bat file you created earlier. Once the server is running, open Minecraft, go to the multiplayer menu, and enter your public IP address (the one you found by searching “What’s my IP?”). Connect to the server, and you’re ready to play!

Invite your friends by sharing your public IP address with them. They can join your server by entering the same IP address in their multiplayer menu.

Final Tips

• Make sure your computer is powerful enough to handle both the server and the game at the same time.
• Keep your mods updated and ensure they’re compatible with the version of Minecraft you’re using.
• If you experience any issues, check online forums or the Minecraft community for help.

Setting up your own modded Minecraft server might seem a bit complicated at first, but once it’s done, you’ll have a fully customized world to explore with your friends. Have fun building, exploring, and enjoying your modded Minecraft adventure!