How to Set Up a Minecraft Server on a Linux VPS Using Screen

While Cubes Hosting offers automated 1-click Minecraft server hosting via our Game Panel, hosting your Minecraft server on a Linux VPS (Virtual Private Server) gives advanced developers full terminal control, custom startup flags, and root file access.

To keep your Minecraft server console running 24/7 in the background—even after you disconnect your SSH session—you can use GNU screen.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through installing Java 21, downloading PaperMC, configuring eula.txt, and managing your Minecraft server inside a screen session on Ubuntu or Debian.

Step 1: Install Java 21 and GNU Screen

Modern Minecraft versions (1.20.5 and newer) require Java 21.

1. Connect to your VPS via SSH as root or a user with sudo privileges.
2. Update your package manager and install OpenJDK 21, GNU Screen, and wget:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headless screen wget ufw
   

3. Verify that Java 21 is installed correctly:

   java -version
   

   (The output should confirm openjdk version "21.0.x").

Step 2: Download PaperMC Server .jar

PaperMC is a highly optimized Minecraft server software that fixes vanilla server bugs and improves performance.

1. Create a dedicated directory for your server files:

   mkdir -p /home/minecraft && cd /home/minecraft
   

2. Download the latest PaperMC .jar file using wget:

   # Download PaperMC (replace URL with latest version build if needed)
   wget https://api.papermc.io/v2/projects/paper/versions/1.20.4/builds/496/downloads/paper-1.20.4-496.jar -O server.jar
   

Step 3: Accept the Minecraft EULA

Minecraft servers require you to accept Mojang's End User License Agreement before booting:

1. Run the server once to generate configuration files:

   java -Xms1G -Xmx1G -jar server.jar nogui
   

   
   (The server will stop automatically after generating eula.txt).
2. Edit eula.txt:

   nano eula.txt
   

3. Change eula=false to eula=true:

   eula=true
   

4. Save and exit (CTRL + O, Enter, CTRL + X).

Step 4: Launch Minecraft Inside a screen Session

GNU screen creates a virtual terminal window that remains active in the server background even when you log off SSH.

1. Create a new screen session named minecraft:

   screen -S minecraft
   

   
   (Your terminal window will clear, placing you inside the new virtual screen).
2. Launch your PaperMC server with your desired RAM allocation:

   java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -XX:+UseG1GC -jar server.jar nogui
   

   
   (Replace -Xmx4G with the maximum RAM allocated to your server, e.g. -Xmx8G for 8GB).

Your Minecraft server will generate the world and display Done! For help, type "help".

Step 5: How to Detach and Reattach to Your Console

How to Detach (Leave Server Running in Background):

To exit the screen terminal while keeping your Minecraft server running:

• Press CTRL + A, then release both keys and press D.

You will return to your main VPS SSH prompt with the message [detached from minecraft]. You can now safely close your SSH terminal!

How to Reattach to the Minecraft Console:

When you log back into SSH later and want to issue operator commands (/op player) or view server logs:

screen -r minecraft

List All Active Screen Sessions:

screen -ls

Step 6: Open Firewall Port 25565 (UFW)

Ensure Java Edition players can connect to your server by opening default port 25565:

sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw enable

Players can now join your server in Minecraft using your VPS IP address (YOUR_VPS_IP:25565)!

Useful Screen Shortcut Commands Cheat Sheet

Conclusion

Running Minecraft inside a GNU screen session gives you total control over server flags, console access, and 24/7 background uptime on your Cubes Hosting Linux VPS! Reattach anytime with screen -r minecraft, manage your community, and enjoy high-performance hosting!