Mods add new content to Minecraft: blocks, dimensions, magic, technology and more. To run mods on your server you need a mod loader: Forge or Fabric. This article explains how to set up both.
Forge vs Fabric
Forge has been around the longest and has the largest mod selection. Modpacks like All the Mods and RLCraft run on Forge. Fabric is lighter, faster and popular for performance mods and newer packs. Your choice depends on which mods you want to run.
Installing Forge
- Download the Forge installer for your Minecraft version from the official site.
- Upload the Forge server .jar file to your server.
- Set it as the startup jar via your panel or
java -jar forge-server.jar. - Start the server once. Forge generates a
modsfolder. - Upload your .jar mod files to the
modsfolder. - Restart the server. Check the log for errors.
Installing Fabric
- Download the Fabric server launcher from fabricmc.net.
- Upload it to your server and set it as the startup jar.
- Start the server. Fabric creates a
modsfolder. - Install the Fabric API mod (required by almost all Fabric mods).
- Upload your Fabric mods to the
modsfolder. - Restart and check the log.
Important tips
- All players must install the same mods as the server (except client-side-only mods).
- Mods must target the same Minecraft version and mod loader. Forge mods do not work on Fabric and vice versa.
- Start with few mods and add gradually. This makes it easy to find the cause if something crashes.
- Modded servers need more RAM. Use the RAM calculator for a recommendation.
How much RAM do I need for mods?
With 5 to 10 light mods, 4 GB is usually enough. Modpacks with 100+ mods need 8 to 16 GB. The complexity of the mods matters more than the count.
Can Forge and Fabric run together?
No. They are separate mod loaders. Pick one and only use mods made for it.
My server crashes after adding a mod. What now?
Remove the most recently added mod and try again. Check the crash log for the specific error message. It is often a version conflict or a missing dependency.