How to Choose the Java Version for Your Minecraft Server
To choose the Java version for your Minecraft server, you need to consider the version of Minecraft you want to run, as different versions require different Java versions, and select the corresponding Java version from your server control panel or by uploading the required Java version via FTP. The Java version you choose will depend on the Minecraft version you want to run, with Java 8 required for Minecraft versions 1.12 through 1.17, and Java 17 required for Minecraft version 1.18 and up.
Understanding Java Versions for Minecraft
Java Version Requirements
The Java version required to run a Minecraft server depends on the Minecraft version. For example, Java 8 is required to run Minecraft versions 1.12 through 1.17, while Java 17 is required to run Minecraft version 1.18 and up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What Java Version Do I Need for Minecraft 1.18 Server?
Java 17 is required to run Minecraft version 1.18 and up.
Q2: How Do I Know If I Have Java 18?
To check your Java version, click the Start button, scroll through the applications and programs listed until you see the Java folder, click on the Java folder, then About Java to see the Java version.
Q3: How Do You Change the Minecraft Server Version?
To change your server’s version, log into your control panel account, click on Server Type on the left side of the control panel, enter the name of your desired Server Type in the search bar, select the new version under the Version dropdown menu.
Q4: How Do I Change My Minecraft Server to Java 8?
Go to your server control panel, select the server you want to change the docker image of, select Startup on the top right, choose between Java 8, 11, and 16 on the right side, and restart your server.
Q5: Can I Downgrade My Minecraft Server?
If you updated your Minecraft server to 1.20 but want to revert to a previous version, you can restore a backup and change your server type back to the previous version, or generate a new world if you don’t have a backup.
Q6: How Do Minecraft Servers Support Multiple Versions?
ProtocolSupport is a protocol-based plugin that allows servers on newer versions to support clients on older versions of Minecraft.
Q7: Is Java 8 and 18 the Same?
Jdk-8 is a long-term support version of the jdk, while jdk-18 is the latest version of the jdk, but not a long-term support version.
Q8: Should I Get Java 17 or 18?
Java 18 has improvements in terms of its foreign function memory, but the updates are not as significant as other releases.
Q9: How to Change the Java Version?
Click on configure Java option, then click on the update option in the Java control panel, and click on the Update now option to initiate the Java update.
Q10: Do You Need Java 17 for Minecraft Server?
Java 17 is required to run Minecraft version 1.18 and up.
Q11: What Version of Java Does 1.19 Server Use?
For 1.17, 1.18, and 1.19, use Java 17, as Mixin/ASM only supports Java 17 class files.
Q12: What Version of Minecraft Do Most Servers Use?
The current version of Minecraft (1.17) is probably the most popular version, as it encapsulates the majority of the player base.
Q13: Can You Host 2 Minecraft Servers on One Computer?
You can set up multiple Minecraft servers on 1 IP, running on different ports, and set up a SRV record to automatically direct a player to the right port.
Q14: Can You Play on a Minecraft Server with Different Versions?
Sometimes, you or your players may want the ability to connect to your server from different versions of Minecraft, which is possible with a plugin called ViaVersion.
Q15: How to Replace Java 8 with Java 11?
To migrate from Java 8 to Java 11, run an existing Java application with JDK 11, compile the application with Java 11, and modularize the application to use the Module System.