Articles on: Minecraft

How to Change Your Minecraft Server Version

How to Change Your Minecraft Server Version

Changing your Minecraft server version allows you to update to the latest release, support specific mods or plugins, or optimize performance. This guide will show you how to easily switch between Minecraft versions and server types using Loafhosts' integrated Version Selector.


Understanding Server Types

Loafhosts supports multiple Minecraft server types:

Vanilla

  • Official Minecraft server software
  • 781 Minecraft versions available
  • 781 Builds
  • Best for: Pure vanilla gameplay with no modifications

Paper

  • Optimized Spigot fork with better performance
  • 55 Minecraft versions available
  • 5325 Builds
  • Best for: Plugin servers with improved performance

Fabric

  • Lightweight modding framework
  • 434 Minecraft versions available
  • 32116 Builds
  • Best for: Modern mod support with better performance than Forge

Forge

  • Popular modding platform
  • 54 Minecraft versions available
  • 4199 Builds
  • Best for: Large modpacks and extensive mods

Established Servers

Purpur ⭐ (Recommended by Loafhosts)

  • Optimized Paper fork with additional features
  • 37 Minecraft versions available
  • 2344 Builds
  • Best for: Maximum performance and customization

Pufferfish

  • Performance-focused Paper fork
  • 17 Minecraft versions available
  • 236 Builds
  • Best for: High-performance servers

Folia

  • Multi-threaded Paper fork
  • 9 Minecraft versions available
  • 99 Builds
  • Best for: Large-scale servers needing multi-threading

Spigot

  • Classic plugin-supporting server
  • 62 Minecraft versions available
  • 3760 Builds
  • Best for: Traditional plugin servers

BungeeCord

  • Proxy server for network setups
  • 21 Minecraft versions available
  • 1909 Builds
  • Best for: Server networks

Waterfall 🛑

  • BungeeCord fork (discontinued)
  • 11 Minecraft versions available
  • 479 Builds

Experimental Servers

Quilt ⚠️

  • Alternative to Fabric
  • 374 Minecraft versions available
  • 105094 Builds
  • Best for: Experimental mod development

Canvas ⚠️

  • Experimental rendering engine
  • 9 Minecraft versions available
  • 801 Builds
  • Best for: Advanced rendering features
Why We Recommend PurPur: PurPur is a highly optimized Paper fork that provides the best balance of performance, features, and plugin compatibility. It includes additional optimizations and configuration options not found in Paper or Spigot.


Loafhosts makes changing your server version incredibly easy with our one-click Version Selector.

Step 1: Access the Version Selector

  1. Log into your Loafhosts panel
  2. Select your Minecraft server
  3. Click Versions in the left sidebar

Step 2: Choose Your Server Type

Browse the available server types:

  • Recommended - Best options for most users (Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge)
  • Established - Proven stable servers (Purpur, Spigot, Pufferfish, etc.)
  • Experimental - Cutting-edge but potentially unstable options

Click on the server type you want to use.

Step 3: Select Minecraft Version

After choosing your server type, you'll see all available Minecraft versions:

  1. Browse versions sorted by release date (newest first)
  2. Each version shows the number of available builds
  3. Popular versions include: 1.21.8, 1.21.4, 1.20.6, 1.19.4, 1.18.2, 1.16.5, 1.12.2
Tip: For plugin servers, we recommend PurPur on the latest Minecraft version for optimal performance.

Step 4: Select a Build

  1. Click on your desired Minecraft version
  2. View available builds for that version
  3. Select a build:
    • latest - Most recent build (recommended)
    • latest-release - Latest stable release
    • Specific version numbers for exact builds

Step 5: Install the Version

  1. Click the Install or Download button
  2. Wait for the installation to complete
  3. Your server will automatically restart with the new version


Important Considerations Before Changing Versions

Backup Your Server First

Critical: Always backup your server before changing versions:

  1. Go to Files in your Loafhosts panel
  2. Download your world, plugins, and config folders
  3. Or use our integrated backup system

Downgrading Warnings

Issues when downgrading:

  • World corruption
  • Lost items and blocks from newer versions
  • Plugin incompatibilities
  • Player data issues

Plugin Compatibility

When changing server types or versions:

  • Paper/Purpur/Spigot - Share plugin compatibility
  • Vanilla/Fabric - Do not support Spigot plugins
  • Forge - Only supports Forge mods
  • Always check plugin compatibility with your target version

Mod Compatibility

  • Fabric mods only work on Fabric servers
  • Forge mods only work on Forge servers
  • Modpacks are version-specific
  • Check mod compatibility before switching


Switching Between Server Types

From Vanilla to Paper/Purpur/Spigot

✅ Safe upgrade - Your world will work without issues

  1. Use the Version Selector to switch to PurPur (recommended)
  2. Choose the same Minecraft version you're currently running
  3. Install and restart
  4. Begin installing plugins!

From Spigot/Paper to Purpur

✅ Safe upgrade - Fully compatible

  1. Select PurPur from the Version Selector
  2. Choose your current Minecraft version
  3. Your plugins will continue working
  4. Enjoy better performance!

From Forge to Fabric (or vice versa)

⚠️ Requires reconfiguration

  1. Backup your server completely
  2. Switch to the new server type
  3. Reinstall compatible mods for the new platform
  4. Your world data will transfer, but mods won't

From Plugin Server to Vanilla

⚠️ Loss of functionality

  1. Backup your server
  2. Switch to Vanilla using Version Selector
  3. All plugins will stop working
  4. Plugin-added blocks/items may disappear


Updating to Latest Version

For Plugin Servers (Paper/Purpur/Spigot):

  1. Use Version Selector to choose latest version
  2. Update all plugins to compatible versions first
  3. Test on a backup server if possible
  4. Install the new version
  5. Check server logs for any errors

For Modded Servers (Forge/Fabric):

  1. Check if your mods support the new version
  2. Update mods to compatible versions
  3. Test modpack compatibility
  4. Switch versions using Version Selector
  5. Verify all mods load correctly


Version-Specific Builds

Some server types offer different build channels:

For Purpur (example):

  • 1.21.10 RELEASE - 16 Builds (Latest stable)
  • 1.21.9 RELEASE - 8 Builds
  • 1.21.8 RELEASE - 19 Builds (Popular)

Choosing a Build:

  • Latest build - Most up-to-date features and fixes
  • Specific builds - For plugin compatibility or stability
  • Release builds - Tested and stable versions


Troubleshooting

Server Won't Start After Version Change:

  • Check Terminal logs for errors
  • Verify plugin compatibility with new version
  • Ensure you selected the correct Minecraft version
  • Try using latest build instead of specific version

Plugins Stopped Working:

  • Update plugins to versions compatible with your server version
  • Check Plugin Manager for updated versions
  • Some plugins may not support newer versions yet

World Won't Load:

  • If you downgraded, restore from backup
  • Ensure you didn't skip major versions (e.g., 1.19 → 1.21)
  • Check logs for specific world loading errors

Performance Issues After Update:

  • Clear server cache and restart
  • Update Java version if needed
  • Review and optimize server settings
  • Consider switching to Purpur for better performance


Best Practices

  1. Always backup before changing versions
  2. Test on a staging server first (if running a production server)
  3. Update plugins after changing versions
  4. Use PurPur for best performance on plugin servers
  5. Stay on LTS versions for maximum stability (1.20.6, 1.19.4, 1.18.2, 1.16.5)
  6. Read changelogs before major version updates
  7. Monitor server logs after version changes


For Best Performance (Plugin Server):

  • Server Type: Purpur
  • Minecraft Version: Latest (1.21.8+)
  • Why: Optimal performance with full plugin support

For Mod Support:

  • Server Type: Fabric (for newer mods) or Forge (for established mods)
  • Minecraft Version: Match your modpack requirements
  • Why: Best mod compatibility

For Vanilla Experience:

  • Server Type: Vanilla or Paper (for performance)
  • Minecraft Version: Latest
  • Why: Pure or optimized vanilla gameplay

For Stability (Long-term servers):

  • Server Type: Purpur
  • Minecraft Version: 1.20.6 or 1.19.4 (LTS versions)
  • Why: Stable plugin ecosystem, well-tested


Need Help?

If you need assistance changing your server version:


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Updated on: 10/11/2025

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