How to configure a Vanilla Minecraft server?

A Vanilla Minecraft server is configured through a single file: server.properties, generated on first launch. Here are the settings that really matter, and our recommended values, whether you play locally or on a hosted Minecraft server.

The essential server.properties settings

• gamemode: survival, creative, adventure or spectator. The players' default mode.
• difficulty: peaceful, easy, normal or hard. Controls monsters and hunger.
• max-players: the number of slots. Match it to your RAM and your CPU.
• view-distance: render distance in chunks. 10 is a good compromise; lowering it to 6-8 relieves the server in case of lag.
• simulation-distance: the distance where entities "run". Reducing it helps the TPS enormously.
• pvp: true/false to allow combat between players.
• spawn-protection: protected radius around the spawn (0 to disable).
• online-mode: leave it true to allow only authenticated Minecraft accounts (security).

Enable the whitelist (private server)

For a server among friends, set white-list to true, then add authorized players via the /whitelist add Username command. Only listed usernames will be able to connect.

Optimize performance

• Reduce view-distance and simulation-distance if the TPS drops.
• Allocate a consistent amount of RAM (neither too little, nor too much): see How to create a Minecraft server.
• To go beyond Vanilla, switch to Paper: plugin-compatible and much more optimized (see How to install plugins).

After each change to server.properties, restart the server to apply the changes.

Do it in 2 clicks

On a Fly-Serv Minecraft server, the FlyPanel panel edits server.properties from a clear interface, without touching the files by hand, and restarts the server with one click. Ideal for adjusting the difficulty or the view-distance live.