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Important settings
- online-mode: account authentication setting. Turning it off can create security risks.
- view-distance: how far chunks are sent to players.
- simulation-distance: how far game logic is processed.
- difficulty: peaceful, easy, normal or hard.
- white-list: whether only approved players can join.
Lag and performance
If a server lags, view-distance and simulation-distance are often important. Lower values can reduce load, but very low values make gameplay feel cramped.
Keep a copy of your current configuration
A server.properties generator is useful, but always keep a backup of the old file before replacing server settings.
Example settings and their effects
online-mode=true
enable-command-block=false
view-distance=10These are Java server properties, not in-game chat commands. online-mode=true enables normal account authentication, enable-command-block=false disables command blocks until changed on 1.21.8 and older (1.21.9 replaced it with a game rule), and view-distance controls the server's view-distance setting. Values must be chosen for the actual server and hosting capacity, not copied blindly from a template.
Editing a live server safely
- Stop the server and back up the original
server.propertiesfile. - Change only the settings you understand in the editor (Japanese).
- Keep the property names exactly as expected and avoid duplicate keys.
- Restart the server and review its console log for invalid values.
This editor is for Java Edition server.properties; Bedrock Dedicated Server uses a different property set. The site does not receive or change your server files automatically.
Common settings and their defaults (Java)
| Property | Default | When to change it |
|---|---|---|
max-players | 20 | Match what your host can handle. More slots do not cost anything until people join. |
view-distance | 10 | Lower to 6–8 if the server lags with several players. |
simulation-distance | 10 | Lower to 5–6 to cut CPU use; farms only run inside this range. |
difficulty | easy | Most survival servers use normal or hard. |
gamemode | survival | Default mode for new players. |
spawn-protection | 16 | Non-operators cannot build within this radius of spawn. Set 0 to turn it off. |
white-list | false (true from Java 26.3) | Turn on for friends-only servers, then add players with /whitelist add. New 26.3 servers start with it on; set false for a public server. |
enable-command-block | false | Turn on for maps and minigames that use command blocks. Removed in Java 1.21.9; use the command_blocks_work game rule instead. |
allow-flight | false | Players who fly for a few seconds without permission are kicked. Turn on if you use mods or plugins that let players fly. |
motd | A Minecraft Server | The text shown in the multiplayer server list. |
server-port | 25565 | Only change it if your host tells you to or you run several servers on one machine. |
Why a change did not apply
- The server was still running: the file is read at startup. Stop the server, edit, then start it again.
- A typo in the name: an unknown key is ignored and the default is used. Copy the name exactly, including hyphens.
- The host panel overrides it: many hosting services set the port, player count or MOTD from their own control panel.
- A world setting, not a server setting: rules such as keepInventory are game rules. Change them in game with /gamerule.