1. Introduction

Plugins are extensions that add features to your Minecraft server - from economy and ranks to anti-cheat and minigames.

This guide shows you exactly, step by step, how to:

• check if your server supports plugins,
• download plugins safely,
• upload .jar files,
• activate and configure plugins,
• fix the most common issues.

No theory. Only what actually works.

2. Requirements Before You Start

Make sure that:

• Your server is running on:
  • Paper, Spigot, or Purpur (Bukkit also works).
    You cannot install plugins on Vanilla or Realms.
• You have access to:
  • a hosting control panel or
  • FTP/SFTP (e.g. FileZilla).
• You can restart the server.
• You know your server version (e.g. 1.20.1, 1.21).

3. Check If Your Server Supports Plugins

If you are not sure what software your server is running:

1. Open the server console.
2. Run:

/version

3. If you see:

• This server is running Paper version...

• This server is running Spigot version...

• Purpur version...

• your server supports plugins.

If you only see Minecraft server or Vanilla, you must first switch to Paper or Spigot.

4. Where to Download Plugins (Safe Sources)

Only use trusted sources, such as:

• SpigotMC (Resources section),
• Modrinth (Plugins category),
• official developer GitHub pages linked from the above sites.

Avoid:

• sites offering .exe files,
• cracked or re-uploaded plugins.

Always check:

• supported Minecraft version,
• last update date,
• user reviews.

5. Downloading a Plugin

1. Click Download on the plugin page.
2. Download the file in this format:

plugin-name.jar

3. Do NOT unzip or extract it.
   The .jar file is uploaded exactly as it is.

6. Uploading a Plugin via Hosting File Manager

If your hosting provides a file manager:

1. Stop the server (recommended).
2. Open File Manager in your panel.
3. Open the folder:

/plugins

If it does not exist:

• start the server once on Paper/Spigot,
• the folder will be created automatically.

4. Click Upload.
5. Select the downloaded .jar file.
6. Wait until the upload finishes.
7. Start or restart the server.

7. Uploading a Plugin via FTP (e.g. FileZilla)

If you use FTP:

1. Open FileZilla (or any FTP client).
2. Connect using:

• host,
• username,
• password,
• port.

3. After connecting:

• go to the server directory on the right,
• open:

  /plugins
  

4. Drag the .jar file from your computer (left side) into /plugins (right side).
5. Restart the server from the control panel.

8. Activating the Plugin (Server Restart)

A plugin will NOT work until the server reloads.

Best and safest option:

• perform a full server restart, not just /reload.

After restart:

1. Check the console. You should see something like:

[PluginName] Enabling PluginName v1.2.3

2. If errors appear, note the plugin name and error message.

9. Plugin Configuration

Most plugins create a configuration folder after the first startup:

/plugins/PLUGIN_NAME

Inside you’ll usually find:

• config.yml,
• other .yml or .json files.

How to edit configuration:

1. Open config.yml in:
   • the hosting panel editor, or
   • download it via FTP and edit with Notepad++ / VS Code.
2. Change the settings according to the comments or plugin documentation.
3. Save the file.
4. Restart the server or use the plugin reload command:

/pluginname reload

(only if supported).

⚠️ Important:
YAML files are sensitive to spaces and indentation. One wrong space can break the entire plugin.

10. Checking If the Plugin Works

You can verify plugin status in several ways:

1. Use:

/plugins

• Plugins in green are enabled.

2. Check if the plugin added new commands (e.g. /spawn, /warp, /shop).
3. Test the actual functionality in-game.

If the plugin:

• is red → it failed to load,
• does not appear at all → it was not detected or caused a crash.

11. Removing or Disabling a Plugin

If a plugin causes issues:

1. Stop the server.
2. Go to:

/plugins

3. Delete:

• the plugin .jar file,
• optionally its configuration folder.

4. Start the server again.

Do NOT rely on /reload to fix broken plugins. Restart is always safer.

12. Common Problems and Solutions

12.1. Plugin Does Not Appear on the List

Check:

• Is the file directly inside /plugins (not /plugins/plugins)?
• Did you download a Spigot/Paper version and not a Bungee/Velocity one?
• Is your server really running on Paper/Spigot?

12.2. Error: “Unsupported API version” or “UnsupportedClassVersionError”

This means:

• the plugin is for a different Minecraft version, or
• it requires a different Java version.

Solution:

• Download the correct plugin version for your server.
• Make sure your Java version matches your Minecraft version (e.g. Java 17 for MC 1.18+).

12.3. Server Crashes After Adding a Plugin

1. Open:

/logs/latest.log

or check the console. 2. Look for the plugin name in the error. 3. Remove that plugin from /plugins. 4. Restart the server.

If the server starts after removing one plugin – that plugin is the problem.

12.4. Plugin Does Not Create a Config Folder

Most likely:

• the plugin failed to load due to an error.

Fix:

1. Restart the server.
2. Immediately check the console.
3. Identify and fix the error (wrong version, missing dependency, wrong Java).
4. Restart again.

13. When Plugins Make Sense

Plugins are perfect if you want to:

• add ranks, economy, shops, spawn systems,
• secure the server (anti-cheat, anti-grief),
• create survival, skyblock, lobby, or minigames servers,
• manage permissions (e.g. LuckPerms).

Without plugins, your server is basically pure Vanilla.
Paper/Spigot turns it into a fully customizable multiplayer platform.