Minecraft Server Guides
Guides and help for running a Minecraft server with Docker, Hetzner, Paper, and reliable backups.
Quick starts for common tasks
If you already know what you need to fix, jump straight to the right guide.
First deployment
Set up the server baseline with Docker
If you are starting from scratch, begin here with Hetzner, Debian, SSH, and Docker Compose.
Version mismatch
Determine the correct Java version
If the server fails because of Java versions or modloader combinations, this guide helps you sort it out.
Players cannot join
Check ports, firewall, and domain step by step
Work the connection path in order: Docker port mapping, Linux firewall, Hetzner Cloud Firewall, and DNS/SRV records.
Protect your data
Make backups and restores reliable first
Once the server is online, secure world data, restores, and the Hetzner-specific snapshot and volume decisions before you move on.
Guides for setup, operations, and troubleshooting
These guides help you set up and run a Minecraft server with Docker. Topics include initial setup, Java versions, ports, DNS, backups, restores, and performance.
Start with one of the common tasks at the top of the page or jump straight into the topic you need right now. That makes it easier to find the right steps for networking, backups, performance, or day-to-day Docker tasks.
If you want a complete backup solution instead of piecing everything together yourself, the Backup Guide gives you a structured approach for backups, restores, retention, and offsite storage.
Server already live? Lock down world backups and restore next
Use the Backup Guide if you want backups, retention, restore, and offsite storage set up as a reliable workflow instead of piecing it together from scattered docs.
Browse guides by topic
The guides are grouped by topic so you can quickly find the right area.
Docker Operations
Server setup, administration, permissions, and day-to-day operating tasks for Docker-based Minecraft servers.
Next steps
More guides in this topic
Fix Permission Denied in itzg/minecraft-server with UID/GID and Bind Mounts
Seeing permission errors in /data or files that Docker cannot write? This guide explains why itzg/minecraft-server defaults to UID 1000:GID 1000 and how to fix ownership safely.
Determining the Correct Java Version for Operating a Minecraft Server
If you want to set up a Minecraft server, you may encounter an error message related to the Java version when starting the server. In this article, you will learn how to determine the correct Java version for your Minecraft server.
Setting up a Minecraft Server on a Hetzner Cloud Server with Docker Compose
In this article, we will show you how to set up a server for Minecraft: Java Edition on a Hetzner Cloud server. We will go through the steps of creating the cloud server, installing Debian, setting up an SSH key, and configuring Docker Compose for easy server management.
Networking
Connection issues, DNS, domains, ports, and the checks that help players join reliably.