Skip to content
Back to the knowledge base

Installing mods on a Minecraft server

Install mods with the panel's installer or upload them by hand, and match them to the server's game version and engine.

Mods change and extend the game: they add new blocks, mobs, dimensions and mechanics. Unlike plugins, most mods have to be installed by every player too.

Before you start

The client panel is available in Polish only, so its labels are given in Polish with a translation.

  • The server must run on an engine that supports mods: Fabric, NeoForge or Forge. Read more in Choosing a Minecraft server engine.
  • Check the server's game version and engine. You'll see them in the Konsola (Console) tab when the server starts.

Installing from the panel

The panel has a built-in installer that downloads mods straight from Modrinth and CurseForge.

  1. Open the installer

    In the client panel, go to the Mods tab.

  2. Set the filters

    In Wersja (Version), choose the server's game version, and in Silnik serwera (Server engine), the engine the server runs on. In Platforma (Platform), choose Modrinth or CurseForge.

  3. Find the mod

    Type its name in the Szukaj modów (Search mods) field.

  4. Check the version and requirements

    Click Wersje (Versions) and make sure the list has a version of the mod for the server's game version and engine. The arrow icon opens the mod's page, where you can check which other mods it requires.

  5. Install

    Click Zainstaluj (Install). Install the required mods the same way, then restart the server.

Most Fabric mods require the Fabric API mod. If the server runs on Fabric, install it first.

Uploading a mod by hand

  1. Download the mod

    Download the .jar file from Modrinth (opens in a new tab) or CurseForge (opens in a new tab). Choose the version for the server's game version and engine.

  2. Open the mods folder

    In the client panel, go to the Pliki (Files) tab and open the mods folder.

  3. Upload the file

    Click Wgraj plik (Upload file) and choose the downloaded .jar file.

  4. Restart the server

    The server loads mods only when it starts.

If you're uploading many mods at once, it's faster over SFTP.

Client-only mods

Some mods work only in the player's game, such as Sodium, Iris or interface mods. They're not needed on the server, and some stop it from starting. A mod's Modrinth page shows where it runs: a mod marked only as Client-side goes in the game, not on the server.

Mods for players

Every player needs the same mods in the same versions as the server, apart from server-only mods. The easiest way is to prepare a modpack and share it with players in a launcher such as the Modrinth App (opens in a new tab), CurseForge (opens in a new tab) or Prism Launcher (opens in a new tab).

Checking the mods

When the server starts, the Konsola (Console) tab shows the list of loaded mods. Then join the server with the same mods in your game.

Common problems

The server doesn't start after adding a mod

Read the last lines of the console. They usually name the mod that causes the error. The most common causes are a client-only mod, a mod for a different engine or a different game version. Remove that mod from the mods folder and restart the server.

The console says a mod requires another mod

A mod that the installed mod depends on is missing, such as Fabric API. The console gives its name and the required version. Install it the same way as the first mod.

A player can't join and sees a message about incompatible mods

The player's mods differ from the server's. Compare both lists and versions. A shared modpack in a launcher causes the fewest problems.

The server has no mods folder

The server runs on an engine without mod support. Switch it to Fabric, NeoForge or Forge, as described in Choosing a Minecraft server engine.