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How to Install a Minecraft Server on Ubuntu 22.04 VPS (2024 Guide)

Looking to host your own Minecraft server on Ubuntu? This guide walks you through each step required to get a stable, secure Minecraft server up and running on your Ubuntu 22.04 VPS.

Prerequisites

• An Ubuntu 22.04 VPS
• A user with sudo privileges
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your package list and upgrading existing packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Java

Minecraft requires Java 17. Install it using:

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless -y

Verify installation:

java -version

You should see output similar to:
openjdk version "17.0.x"

Step 3: Create a Minecraft Directory

This will keep your files organised:

mkdir ~/minecraft
cd ~/minecraft

Step 4: Download the Minecraft Server

Use the following command to download the official server jar:

wget https://launcher.mojang.com/v1/objects/e3b2d9e4d27b20a83e1ab2cc36a521b9940c0ad8/server.jar -O server.jar

Step 5: Run the Server

Start the server for the first time to generate configuration files:

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

The server will stop automatically, prompting you to accept the EULA.

Step 6: Accept the EULA

Open the EULA file:

nano eula.txt

Change:

eula=false

To:

eula=true

Press CTRL + X, then Y, then Enter to save and exit.

Step 7: Configure Server Settings

Edit the main server configuration:

nano server.properties

Key settings to customise:

• motd=Welcome to my server!
• max-players=10
• online-mode=true
• spawn-protection=0

Step 8: Start the Server

Now start your server again:

java -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar server.jar nogui

Replace 2048M with the amount of RAM you want to allocate.

Step 9: Keep Your Server Running with screen

Install screen if it isn’t installed:

sudo apt install screen -y

Create a new session:

screen -S minecraft

Then run your server:

java -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar server.jar nogui

To detach from the session:
CTRL + A, then D
To reattach:

screen -r minecraft

Step 10: Open Minecraft Port in Firewall

Allow the default Minecraft port:

sudo ufw allow 25565
sudo ufw enable

Step 11: Optional – Create a Systemd Service

This allows your server to start on boot:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service

Paste this:

[Unit]
Description=Minecraft Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=your-username
WorkingDirectory=/home/your-username/minecraft
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Reload services and enable on boot:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start minecraft
sudo systemctl enable minecraft

Step 12: Backup Your Minecraft Server

Create a backup folder:

mkdir ~/minecraft/backups

Create the backup script:

nano ~/minecraft/backup.sh

Paste the following:

#!/bin/bash
tar -cvpzf ~/minecraft/backups/minecraft_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).tar.gz ~/minecraft

Make it executable:

chmod +x ~/minecraft/backup.sh

Automate daily backups at 2AM with cron:

crontab -e

Add this line (update the path to your username):

0 2 * * * /home/your-username/minecraft/backup.sh

Conclusion

You now have a fully functional Minecraft server hosted on Ubuntu 22.04. With proper firewall rules, automation, and backups, your server is ready for long-term hosting — whether it's for you and friends or a public community.