How to Set Up a Modded Minecraft Server (Forge & Fabric)

Forge vs Fabric: Which Mod Loader to Choose

Before setting up your server, you need to choose between the two main mod loaders. This decision is important because Forge mods and Fabric mods are not compatible with each other — you can't mix them.

Choose Forge / NeoForge If:

• You want to play established modpacks like All the Mods, RLCraft, Better Minecraft, or FTB packs
• You need mods that only exist on Forge — most major content mods (Create, Mekanism, Thermal Expansion, Applied Energistics 2) are Forge-first
• You're playing on Minecraft 1.20.1 or earlier — the Forge ecosystem is more mature for older versions

Note: NeoForge is the continuation of Forge for Minecraft 1.20.2+. Most modern Forge mods are migrating to NeoForge. For versions 1.20.1 and earlier, use classic Forge.

Choose Fabric If:

• You want performance-focused mods like Sodium, Lithium, and Iris (shader support)
• You want a lightweight, fast-loading server — Fabric starts up much faster than Forge
• You're playing on the latest Minecraft version — Fabric updates to new versions within hours, while Forge can take weeks
• You're building a custom modpack with a specific set of mods rather than using a pre-made pack

Method 1: Setting Up with a Game Host (Easiest)

If you're using a Minecraft hosting provider with Pterodactyl panel (like Azion Cloud), the process is straightforward:

Step 1: Select Your Server Type

In your Pterodactyl panel, go to Startup settings. Select the egg for your mod loader:

• Forge — For Forge modpacks (1.7.10 through 1.20.1)
• NeoForge — For NeoForge modpacks (1.20.2+)
• Fabric — For Fabric mods

Set the Minecraft version to match your modpack's requirements. For example, All the Mods 9 requires Minecraft 1.20.1 with Forge.

Step 2: Upload Your Modpack

For pre-made modpacks from CurseForge or Modrinth:

1. Download the server pack (not the client pack) from the modpack's page
2. Upload the server pack ZIP to your server via the file manager or SFTP
3. Extract the ZIP in your server's root directory
4. Make sure the mods/ folder is in the server root alongside the server JAR

For custom mod collections:

1. Download each mod's .jar file from CurseForge or Modrinth
2. Upload all mod JARs to the mods/ folder on your server
3. Ensure every mod is for the correct Minecraft version and mod loader

Step 3: Configure RAM

Modded servers need more RAM than vanilla. Set your server's RAM allocation based on the modpack size:

• 20-50 mods: 4-6 GB
• 50-150 mods: 6-8 GB
• 150-300 mods: 8-12 GB
• 300+ mods: 12-16 GB

See our detailed RAM guide for more specific recommendations.

Step 4: Start and Test

Start the server and watch the console output. The first startup takes longer as Forge/Fabric needs to initialize all mods. Once you see "Done!" in the console, the server is ready. Connect with the same Minecraft version and mod loader installed on your client.

Method 2: Setting Up on a VPS (Manual)

If you're running your own VPS, you'll need to set things up manually.

Step 1: Install Java

Different Minecraft versions require different Java versions:

• Minecraft 1.17+: Java 17 or newer
• Minecraft 1.20.5+: Java 21
• Minecraft 1.16 and older: Java 8 or Java 11

# Ubuntu/Debian — Install Java 21
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jre-headless -y
java -version

Step 2: Download the Server Files

For Forge:

# Create server directory
mkdir ~/minecraft-server && cd ~/minecraft-server

# Download Forge installer (check https://files.minecraftforge.net for latest)
wget https://maven.minecraftforge.net/net/minecraftforge/forge/1.20.1-47.3.0/forge-1.20.1-47.3.0-installer.jar

# Run the installer
java -jar forge-1.20.1-47.3.0-installer.jar --installServer

# Accept the EULA
echo "eula=true" > eula.txt

For Fabric:

# Download Fabric installer
wget https://maven.fabricmc.net/net/fabricmc/fabric-installer/1.0.1/fabric-installer-1.0.1.jar

# Install Fabric server
java -jar fabric-installer-1.0.1.jar server -mcversion 1.21 -downloadMinecraft

# Accept the EULA
echo "eula=true" > eula.txt

Step 3: Add Mods and Start

# Create mods folder
mkdir mods

# Copy your mod JARs into the mods folder
# Then start the server with appropriate RAM
java -Xms6G -Xmx6G -jar forge-1.20.1-47.3.0-shim.jar --nogui

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Server Crashes on Startup

• Check the crash log — Look in crash-reports/ or the console output. The log usually tells you exactly which mod caused the crash.
• Version mismatch — Ensure ALL mods match the Minecraft version. A single 1.19.2 mod on a 1.20.1 server will crash.
• Missing dependencies — Some mods require library mods (e.g., Architectury, Cloth Config). Check the mod's CurseForge page for required dependencies.
• Not enough RAM — If you see OutOfMemoryError, increase your RAM allocation.

Mods Not Loading

• Make sure mod JARs are in the mods/ folder, not in a subfolder
• Verify you're using the correct mod loader (Forge mods won't load on Fabric and vice versa)
• Check that the mod file isn't corrupted — re-download from the official source

Players Can't Connect

• Players must have the exact same mods and versions installed on their client
• Client-only mods (like Optifine, shaders) should NOT be on the server
• Server-only mods (like permissions plugins) should NOT be on the client

Server Lag with Mods

• Install Spark to profile what's causing lag
• Remove or configure lag-heavy mods (large automation setups, chunk loaders)
• Set entity limits and world borders
• Consider upgrading your server's RAM or CPU — check our optimization guide

Popular Modpacks and Their Requirements

Modpack	Mod Loader	MC Version	Recommended RAM
All the Mods 9	Forge	1.20.1	10-12 GB
All the Mods 10	NeoForge	1.21.1	12-16 GB
RLCraft	Forge	1.12.2	6-8 GB
Better Minecraft	Forge/Fabric	1.20.1	6-8 GB
Create: Above and Beyond	Forge	1.18.2	6-8 GB
Vault Hunters	Forge	1.18.2	8-10 GB
FTB Presents Direwolf20	Forge	1.20.1	8-10 GB

Ready to Host Your Modded Server?

Setting up a modded server is more complex than vanilla, but the result is worth it — hundreds of new blocks, machines, dimensions, and gameplay mechanics that transform Minecraft into something entirely new. If you want the easiest setup experience, our Minecraft hosting comes with one-click Forge and Fabric installation through Pterodactyl panel, pre-configured JVM flags, and enough RAM for even the heaviest modpacks.