How to Fix the 'Server is in Setup Mode' Error in BungeeCord

When connecting to a backend server through a BungeeCord or Velocity proxy network, you might be disconnected with the message:

"If you wish to use IP forwarding, please enable it in your BungeeCord config as well!"
or
"Server is in Setup Mode. Please configure BungeeGuard tokens."

This error is a built-in security feature designed to protect your network. It prevents malicious players from bypassing your proxy and joining your backend servers directly with spoofed admin accounts.

This guide will show you how to resolve the "Setup Mode" error and get your BungeeCord network properly connected.

Cause 1: BungeeGuard Secret Token Not Configured (Most Common)

If you are using BungeeGuard to secure your sub-servers (which is highly recommended for Paper 1.16+ servers), the backend servers will boot into Setup Mode until you link the secret authentication token between your proxy and backend servers.

Step 1: Get the Token from your Proxy

1. Go to your BungeeCord Proxy server in the Cubes Hosting Game Panel.
2. Open the File Manager and navigate to:

   /plugins/BungeeGuard/config.yml
   

3. Locate the token: line. Copy the long random string of characters (your secret token).

Step 2: Paste the Token into Backend Sub-Servers

1. Switch to your backend server (e.g. Lobby or Survival) in the Game Panel.
2. Open the File Manager and navigate to:

   /plugins/BungeeGuard/config.yml
   

3. Find the allowed-tokens: section and paste the proxy token:

   allowed-tokens:
     - "YOUR_COPIED_SECRET_TOKEN_HERE"
   

4. Save the file and Restart both your proxy and backend servers.

Cause 2: IP Forwarding Disabled in BungeeCord config.yml

If bungeecord: true is enabled on your backend server (in spigot.yml), but ip_forward is set to false in your proxy configuration, Paper will block connections and trigger the setup mode message.

1. Go to your BungeeCord Proxy server in the Game Panel.
2. Open config.yml in the root directory.
3. Find the ip_forward: setting and ensure it is set to true:

   ip_forward: true
   

4. Save the file and Restart BungeeCord.

Cause 3: Misconfigured Online Mode or Spigot Settings

For IP forwarding to work seamlessly across a proxy network, your server configuration settings must follow a specific pattern:

1. Proxy Server (BungeeCord / Velocity)

• online-mode: true in BungeeCord config.yml (authenticates real Mojang accounts)
• ip_forward: true in BungeeCord config.yml

2. Backend Sub-Servers (Lobby, Survival, Factions)

• online-mode=false in server.properties
• bungeecord: true in spigot.yml
• settings.bungeecord: true in paper.yml (or paper-global.yml)

Crucial Security Warning: Never leave online-mode=false on a backend server without BungeeGuard or firewall rules enabled! If you do, players can type your backend server's direct IP address into their Minecraft client and log in as an administrator without going through the proxy.

Conclusion

The "Server is in Setup Mode" error is simply your server telling you that IP forwarding or BungeeGuard security tokens haven't been linked yet. Once you set ip_forward: true on BungeeCord and sync your BungeeGuard allowed-tokens across your sub-servers, your proxy network will connect seamlessly and securely!