Update the Minecraft Server to the latest version

Learn how to update the version of Minecraft Server running on your Linux server, without losing any data or overwriting your world file. When Mojang issues a Minecraft update, Minecraft server administrators need to manually update the version of Minecraft running on their servers.

Requirements

  • A Cloud Server running Linux (Ubuntu 16.04)
  • Minecraft Server installed and running
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Create backups and download the new version

Before upgrading your Minecraft server, go to the Minecraft directory on your server:

cd /minecraft

Back up your world file with the command:

sudo cp -r world world-backup

Next, create a backup copy of your working minecraft_server.jar file:

sudo cp minecraft_server.jar minecraft_server.jar-backup

Go to the Minecraft server download page to get the URL for the new version. Download this version to your server with the command:

sudo wget [URL]

For example, the command to download the most current version (1.11.1) is:

sudo wget https://s3.amazonaws.com/Minecraft.Download/versions/1.11.1/minecraft_server.1.11.1.jar

Stop the Minecraft Server and upgrade

To stop the Minecraft server, attach to the screen session:

screen -r

Then stop the server with CTRL + C.

Swap in the new software version with the command:

sudo mv minecraft_server.1.11.1.jar minecraft_server.jar

Restart the Minecraft Server

Begin a new screen session with the command:

screen -r

Then start the Minecraft server with the command:

java -Xms1G -Xmx1G -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

Use CTRL + A, CTRL + D to detach from this session.

Tip

Minecraft is one of the most popular games in the world right now. We’ve got a list of Minecraft servers to help you find the best servers for Minecraft for your gameplay style.

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