How to make a Minecraft Java server for free.

Your first five minutes

1. Wait for provisioning. The panel prepares the files for the software and version you chose. The first setup can take longer than later starts.
2. Open Console and start the server. Wait until the startup finishes before trying to join. The Console is the reliable place to see install or startup errors.
3. Join with your custom address. In Minecraft Java Edition, add name.chunkarc.net to Multiplayer and connect. Share that address with friends instead of the node IP.
4. Expect a short wake-up when sleeping. Free Beta servers stop after 15 minutes with no players. A real player connection wakes the server automatically, and the first join may take a moment while it boots.

1. Sign in to ChunkArc

Use the Create Server button on the website, then sign in with your panel credentials, Google or Discord. You can also join the ChunkArc community and start through the bot. Every method leads to the same panel and the same Free Beta rules.

2. Open Create Server

On the panel, choose Create Server. If you started in Discord, use the Create Free Server button in Start Here. The Discord flow may ask for a quick one-time browser verification before it creates anything; this protects the Free Beta from automated abuse and does not ask for your password.

3. Choose the right software

• Paper: the safest default for most small plugin servers.
• Purpur: Paper-compatible with more gameplay configuration.
• Fabric: for Fabric mods and lightweight modded setups.
• Folia: only for software specifically compatible with region-based multithreading.

For a first server, Paper is usually the right choice. Read the software comparison, the focused Paper vs Purpur guide, or Paper vs Folia before changing the base later. If you choose Paper or Purpur, follow the safe plugin installation guide after the first start.

4. Enter your server details

Your ChunkArc account and Minecraft username are separate. Enter the Minecraft username that will play on the server, then choose the public address. In the Discord bot flow, use an email address you control so you can set or reset your panel password; it does not need to match the email stored on Discord.

5. Pick your custom address

Choose only the first part of your address. For example, entering myworld creates myworld.chunkarc.net. Use letters, numbers and hyphens, and avoid names that impersonate ChunkArc, staff or other brands.

Your first address is selected during creation. Later changes use Arc Credits or a paid change when payments become available.

Because ChunkArc hosts the server for you, you do not need to configure router port forwarding or expose your home connection.

6. Start and join

When the server says it is ready, open Minecraft Java Edition, choose Multiplayer, then Add Server. Enter your custom address with no port. If you use Bedrock Edition, use the exact address and UDP port shown in the panel instead.

If something does not work

Check the public platform status first. For account, startup or connection problems, open a Discord support ticket and include your server address plus the relevant Console error. Never post your password, API keys or recovery codes.

Before adding a large plugin or mod collection, use the Minecraft server RAM guide. If you are using Fabric, follow the Minecraft server mods guide for loader and client compatibility steps. To make a permanent-death world, follow the Hardcore mode guide.