How to install Minecraft plugins on a Paper or Spigot server
Updated
To install a Minecraft plugin, stop your server, put the plugin's .jar file in the server's plugins folder, then start the server again. The plugin loads on startup and usually creates its own config folder inside plugins.
Steps
- Check the plugin fits your server
Make sure the plugin supports your server software (Paper, Spigot, Purpur or Folia) and your Minecraft version. Plugins do not work on vanilla or Fabric servers.
- Download the .jar file
Download the plugin. If it comes as a .zip, unzip it and find the .jar inside.
- Stop the server
Run stop in the console. Adding plugins while the server runs, or using /reload, can break them.
- Put the .jar in the plugins folder
Copy the .jar into the plugins folder next to your server jar. Also add any plugins it depends on, such as Vault or ProtocolLib.
- Start the server and configure
Start the server, check the console for errors, then edit the plugin's config in plugins/<PluginName>/config.yml and restart or use the plugin's own reload command.
Tips
- Run /plugins in game: green names loaded, red names failed.
- Keep a backup of your server folder before adding several plugins at once.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my plugin show in red in /plugins?
It failed to load. Check the console from startup: usually a missing dependency, the wrong Minecraft version or the wrong server software.
Can I use plugins on a Fabric or Forge server?
Not normally. Plugins need Bukkit-based software such as Paper or Spigot. Fabric and Forge servers use mods instead.