Server Properties and Configuration

Use this page when you want to change common game server settings such as slots, difficulty, server description, or authentication behavior.

Before editing configuration

Create a backup before changing configuration files. A small typo can prevent some runtimes from starting.

Stop the server if the game recommends editing configuration while offline. After saving changes, start or restart the server and watch the console.

Minecraft server.properties

For Minecraft Java servers, common settings live in server.properties.

Examples:

• max-players=20 controls the player slot limit.
• difficulty=normal controls world difficulty.
• motd=Welcome to my server controls the server list message.
• online-mode=true controls whether the server checks player identity with Minecraft services.

For public Minecraft servers, keep online-mode=true unless you understand the risks and have a specific reason to change it.

Worked example: change the MOTD

1. Create a backup.
2. Open Files.
3. Open server.properties.
4. Find the motd line.
5. Change it to motd=Welcome to ZeroLagHub.
6. Save the file.
7. Restart the server.
8. Refresh your game client’s server list.

If the server will not start

Reopen the file and check the last setting you changed. If you cannot spot the issue, restore the backup or open a ticket with the server name, file changed, and newest console error.