How to Install Paper on a Minecraft Server

To install Paper on a Minecraft server, stop the server, make a full backup, download the Paper build for your Minecraft version from papermc.io/downloads, replace the old server JAR with it and start it with java -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --nogui. Paper converts a vanilla world automatically on the first start. On TheGameHosting it is one step: choose Paper in the Version Changer.

Paper is a fork of Spigot that runs Bukkit and Spigot plugins, fixes many vanilla bugs and performs better with more players. It does not load Fabric or Forge mods. If you are still choosing, our comparison of Paper, Purpur and Fabric explains the trade-offs.

Before you install Paper on your Minecraft server

Check	Why it matters
Minecraft version	Download the Paper build for the exact version you want to run
Java version	1.20.5 to 1.21.11 needs Java 21; 26.1 and newer need Java 25
Full backup	The PaperMC docs say to back up before any migration
Mods	Paper cannot load mods. Blocks and items from mods are lost
Going back to vanilla later	Possible, but it takes manual steps

How to install Paper on TheGameHosting

Open your server in the panel, go to Backups and create a backup.
Stop the server from the Console.
Open Version, choose Paper and pick the Minecraft version. Use the same version your world already runs, or a newer one if you plan to update.
Confirm and wait for the install to finish.
Start the server from the Console. On the first start Paper prepares the world and creates its config files.
Join and check that your builds, the Nether and the End are where you left them.
Open the Plugins tab to install plugins, or upload JARs to plugins in Files.

Purpur, a fork of Paper with more gameplay options, is in the same list if you want it. Both run the same plugins.

How to install Paper manually

On your own PC or a VPS:

Stop the server and copy the whole folder somewhere safe.
Download the latest Paper build for your version from papermc.io/downloads.
Put the JAR in the server folder. Rename it to paper.jar or to the name your start script uses.
Start it:

Terminal

java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --nogui

If this is a new folder, set eula=true in eula.txt and start again.
Wait for Done in the log, then join and check the world.

Paper builds are updated often. When you update, stop the server, swap the JAR for the newer build of the same Minecraft version and start again. To jump to a new Minecraft version, follow how to update a Minecraft server.

What changes after you install Paper

Paper reads the same server.properties as vanilla and adds its own files. These are the ones you will touch:

File	What it controls
`server.properties`	The vanilla settings: MOTD, difficulty, view distance, whitelist
`bukkit.yml`	Bukkit settings such as spawn limits and the `plugins` folder
`spigot.yml`	Spigot settings, including entity activation ranges
`config/paper-global.yml`	Paper settings for the whole server, such as proxy forwarding
`config/paper-world-defaults.yml`	Paper settings applied to every world
`plugins/`	Where plugin JARs go

The world layout also changes. Up to 1.21.11, Paper keeps the Nether in world_nether and the End in world_the_end instead of vanilla's world/DIM-1 and world/DIM1. From 26.1, the Paper release notes say every dimension lives under world/dimensions/. In both cases the conversion happens on its own when you switch, which is why the backup matters.

Common problems after installing Paper

Plugins do not load: check the version each plugin supports. A plugin made for an older Minecraft version may fail; the log line names it.
"Unsupported class file major version": Java is too old for the Paper version. Change the Java version and restart.
Redstone farms behave differently: Paper fixes some vanilla bugs that technical players rely on. Some of these fixes can be turned off in the Paper config files; check the PaperMC docs for your build.
The Nether or End looks reset after going back to vanilla: the data is still in the Paper folders. Follow the PaperMC migration guide to move it back.
Server still lags: Paper helps, but view distance, entity counts and RAM still matter. See our Minecraft server lag fix guide.

Next step: add plugins

With Paper running, plugins are the reason you switched. Our guide on how to install plugins on a Paper server covers the Plugins tab, manual uploads and updates. If players on newer clients cannot join, you can install ViaVersion to let them in.

Run Paper on TheGameHosting

Paper does its best work on fast single-core CPUs. Our nodes run AMD 9950X or 7950X3D at up to 5.7 GHz with DDR5 and NVMe in Dallas and Amsterdam, with DDoS protection on every plan and no charge per player. The Version Changer installs Paper or Purpur, the Plugins installer adds plugins without hunting for JARs, Files edits configs in the browser and Backups keeps a copy before every change.

Plans start at $1.90 USD per month on Minecraft server hosting. Compare every RAM size on the game server plans page, use FULL2026 for 15% off for life and get your Paper server online in about 60 seconds from Pricing.

FAQ

How do I install Paper on my Minecraft server?

Back up the server, download the Paper JAR for your version from papermc.io, replace the old server JAR and start it. On TheGameHosting choose Paper in the Version Changer.

Will I lose my world if I switch from vanilla to Paper?

No. Paper converts the vanilla world automatically on the first start. Make a backup anyway, because going back to vanilla takes manual steps.

Can Paper run Forge or Fabric mods?

No. Paper runs Bukkit, Spigot and Paper plugins only. For mods use Fabric, Forge or NeoForge.

Is Paper better than Spigot?

Paper includes Spigot's features and plugin support, plus extra fixes and performance work, which is why most plugin servers run it.

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Written by TheGameHosting Team, the people who run our servers in Dallas and Amsterdam and answer your tickets.

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