How to Install Mods on a Minecraft Server
Complete guide to setting up Forge, Fabric, and installing your favorite modpacks. Works for both self-hosted and managed servers.
ModReady Customers
Already have a ModReady server? Follow these steps:
Log in to the Game Panel
Go to panel.modready.gg and log in with your email and password.
Stop Your Server
Click the red Stop button and wait for the server to go offline.
Open the Mods Folder
Click Files in the sidebar, then open the mods folder. If it doesn't exist, click Create Directory and name it mods.
Upload Your Mods
Click Upload and drag your .jar mod files. Download mods from CurseForge or Modrinth.
Downloaded a modpack as a .zip file?
Option 1: Extract the zip on your computer first, then upload the .jar files from the mods folder.
Option 2: Upload the .zip file directly, click on it, then click Unarchive to extract it on the server.
Start Your Server
Go back to Console and click the green Start button. The server will load your mods automatically.
Need help? We're happy to install mods for you! Just reply to your welcome email or contact support.
Contact SupportForge vs Fabric: Which Should You Choose?
Forge
- Most mods available
- All major modpacks
- Mature ecosystem
- Slower startup
- Higher RAM usage
Best for: Modpacks, technical mods
Fabric
- Fast and lightweight
- Quick updates
- Better performance
- Fewer mods
- Newer ecosystem
Best for: Performance, optimization mods
Installing Forge (Step by Step)
Step 1: Download Forge
Go to files.minecraftforge.net and download the Installer for your Minecraft version. Always use the "Recommended" version for stability.
Step 2: Install Forge Server
- Create a new folder for your server
- Run the Forge installer and select "Install server"
- Point it to your new server folder
- Wait for the installation to complete
Step 3: First Run
Run the server once to generate config files:
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar forge-*-installer.jar --installServerStep 4: Add Mods
Download mods from CurseForge or Modrinth and place the .jar files in the mods folder.
Important
Make sure all mods match your Minecraft and Forge version. Mismatched versions are the #1 cause of crashes.
Popular Modpacks and RAM Requirements
| Modpack | Mod Count | Min RAM | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| All The Mods 9 | 400+ | 8GB | 12GB+ |
| RLCraft | 169 | 6GB | 8GB |
| Better Minecraft | 200+ | 6GB | 8GB |
| Create: Above and Beyond | 260 | 6GB | 8GB |
| Pixelmon | 1 (large) | 4GB | 6GB |
The Easy Way: Managed Hosting
If you don't want to deal with manual installation, managed hosting like ModReady makes it simple. Just select your modpack and we handle the rest - no file uploads, no configuration, no version matching headaches.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"OutOfMemoryError" on startup
Your server needs more RAM. Increase the -Xmx value in your startup script or upgrade your hosting plan.
"Mod X requires Mod Y"
Some mods have dependencies. Check the mod page on CurseForge for required libraries and install them too.
Server crashes on startup
Check the crash log in the crash-reports folder. Usually caused by version mismatches or incompatible mods.
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