iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Playing with friends? Godlike.Host runs hosted Minecraft Java servers from 10 data-center locations, with free DDoS protection.
You can update a Paper Minecraft server without losing its worlds, provided you treat the update as a controlled maintenance job: verify the target version and Java runtime, stop the server, make a complete recoverable backup, update compatible plugins, replace the Paper JAR while the server is offline, then inspect the startup log and test the server before players return.
What a Paper update changes—and what it does not
A routine Paper update replaces the server software JAR with a newer build for the same or a newer Minecraft release. Your world folders, server properties, permissions, plugin settings and other data remain on disk; the risk comes from an incomplete backup, an incompatible plugin, a Java mismatch, a wrong filename in the startup command or an interrupted write.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Ultimate Collection | Windows Digital Code | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital Code | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Minecraft | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Minecraft - Bedrock Edition PS4 | $42.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Paper’s documented warning is unambiguous: “Don’t replace any JAR in a running server.” A live process may still be reading or writing the file, so replacing Paper or a plugin while the server is running can leave a corrupt or partially updated installation. Schedule a maintenance window and perform the replacement only after the server has fully stopped.
Before you start: version, Java and access checks
Identify the target Minecraft and Paper version
Decide exactly which Minecraft release and Paper build you are installing. Do not treat “latest” as a sufficient target for a production server: plugins may support one Minecraft release but not the next, and a new release can require a newer Java runtime. Record the current Paper build, Minecraft version, installed plugins and the command used to start the server so you can compare the result after the update.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Use the Java runtime required by the target version
Paper’s current compatibility table lists these minimum Java versions:
| Minecraft/Paper release | Java requirement listed by Paper |
|---|---|
| 1.7.10–1.11 | Java 8 |
| 1.12–1.16.4 | Java 11 |
| 1.16.5 | Java 16 |
| 1.17–1.19 | Java 17 |
| 1.20–1.21.11 | Java 21 |
| 26.1 and later | Java 25 |
These are version requirements, not performance measurements. A server that starts with an older Java release may fail immediately, reject the JAR or produce errors before plugins load. Check the runtime used by the actual startup command, not only the Java version installed elsewhere on the machine. If the command uses a service, container or control panel, verify Java in that execution environment.
Confirm administrative access and a maintenance window
- Have shell, file-transfer or control-panel access that lets you stop the server and replace files.
- Know the normal startup command and the directory containing the server JAR.
- Warn players about the expected downtime and keep the console or log visible during the first restart.
- Ensure enough disk space for the new JAR and at least one complete backup.
Make a backup you can actually restore
Back up before downloading or replacing anything. A useful backup is not just a copy of the Paper JAR. Include every world folder, server configuration, plugin configuration and plugin JAR. Keep multiple rolling backups in a safe location rather than relying on the only copy stored beside the live server.
Files and folders to include
- Every world directory, including the overworld, nether and end folders and any separately named worlds.
server.properties,eula.txt, whitelist and ban files, operators and permissions data.- Plugin configuration directories and files, including database files kept inside the server or plugin folders.
- All installed plugin JARs, so the exact pre-update plugin set can be restored.
- The current Paper JAR and the startup script, service definition or panel settings that launch it.
Make the backup consistent
Stop the server before copying its live files whenever possible. A stopped server has finished writing region, player and plugin data. If your backup system supports snapshots, label the snapshot with the date, Minecraft version and Paper build. Keep at least one copy outside the server’s main disk or host account; a disk failure can otherwise destroy both the live data and its backup.
Do not delete the old installation until the new server has been tested. The old JAR and a dated backup give you a defined rollback point instead of forcing you to reconstruct the previous state from memory.
Check plugin compatibility before replacing Paper
Paper and plugins form one working stack. A Paper build can start successfully while a plugin fails to load, disables commands or causes errors later during gameplay. For every plugin, check its official release page for support for the target Minecraft/Paper version. Pay particular attention to plugins that hook into internals, provide permissions, manage worlds, alter gameplay or connect to databases.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Decide whether each plugin should be updated
- Update a plugin when its maintainer lists the target Minecraft release as supported or publishes a release intended for it.
- Leave a plugin at its current version only when its compatibility is documented or you have a tested reason to do so.
- Remove or disable abandoned plugins that are known to fail on the target release rather than assuming Paper will make them compatible.
- Record configuration changes made by a plugin update; a newer plugin may add or rename settings.
Stage plugin updates with Paper’s update folder
Paper supports placing replacement plugin JARs in the plugins/update folder. On the next restart, Paper applies those staged replacements. Keep the old plugin JARs in your backup, and do not place multiple competing versions of the same plugin in the live plugins directory.
Updating all plugins at once makes a failure harder to identify. For a busy or heavily customized server, stage a small set of related updates, restart, inspect the log and test their commands before proceeding with another set.
Download and install the new Paper JAR
Download from Paper’s official downloads page
Paper distributes runnable server JARs. Select the build for the Minecraft version you chose, and verify that the downloaded file completed successfully before moving it into the server directory. Keep the downloaded file until the update has been validated; it is useful for a repeat installation or rollback.
Stop the server cleanly
- Announce the maintenance window and stop new player activity.
- Use the console’s normal shutdown command or your hosting panel’s stop control.
- Wait for the process to exit and for the console or service manager to confirm that it is no longer running.
- Check that no second server process is still holding the same world directory.
Never copy over the active Paper JAR or a live plugin JAR. If a restart is needed to apply staged plugin updates, complete the stop first, make the JAR changes while offline and then start once.
Recommended Free Tools
Match the JAR filename to the startup command
The filename matters because the startup command usually names a specific file. You have two safe options:
- Rename the new JAR to the filename already referenced by the startup command, such as
paper.jar. - Edit the startup command to point to the new filename and keep that change in your documented service or script configuration.
For example, a command using -jar paper.jar will not automatically select a downloaded file named paper- build-number.jar. Avoid leaving both old and new Paper JARs in the directory if your script could select the wrong one.
Rank #3
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Keep memory settings appropriate to the installation
Use the server’s normal memory and JVM options unless you have a separate reason to change them. A representative command is:
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --noguiAdjust the memory values and filename for your installation. The command is an example of syntax, not a universal recommendation. If your server is launched by a service, container or panel, apply the equivalent JAR and Java changes there instead of starting a second manual process.
Start the updated server and read the log
- Launch the server with the same service, script or panel used previously.
- Watch the complete startup output rather than closing the console after the “Done” message.
- Confirm that the expected Minecraft and Paper versions are reported.
- Look for Java errors, plugin load failures, disabled plugins, missing dependencies, migration messages and repeated stack traces.
- Do not reopen the server to players until you understand every error that affects gameplay, permissions, worlds or scheduled tasks.
Paper advises being present during updates and keeping a careful watch on the log afterward. A clean process exit is not proof that every plugin is functioning: some failures appear only when a command runs, a player joins or a scheduled job executes.
Verify worlds, plugins and player-facing features
Join as an operator or use an equivalent test account before removing the maintenance notice.
Core server checks
- Log in and out once, then reconnect.
- Enter each world, including the nether and end, and confirm that expected terrain and player locations are present.
- Check that spawn, world borders, time, weather and scheduled tasks behave as expected.
- Run the server’s normal save command and confirm that it completes without an error.
Plugin and administration checks
- Run essential plugin commands and verify permissions for both an operator and a normal player.
- Test protections, teleportation, economy, chat, moderation, backup and authentication features that your community relies on.
- Confirm that plugin-generated files were not reset and that database-backed plugins can connect.
- Check console output while performing these tests; a feature that appears to work may still emit recurring errors.
If the test passes, announce that the server is available and continue monitoring the log for the first active play session. Keep the backup and old JAR until the update has proved stable.
Rollback when the update fails
A failed update should be handled as a rollback, not an improvised downgrade while the server is running.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #4
- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
- Stop the server and confirm that the process has exited.
- Preserve the failed startup log so you can diagnose the cause later.
- Move the new Paper JAR and any newly staged plugin JARs out of the live path.
- Restore the known-good Paper JAR, plugin JARs and configuration from the dated backup.
- Restore world data only if the failed version may have written incompatible or unwanted changes; choose the backup taken before the update.
- Start the restored installation and verify login, worlds and essential plugins.
Do not assume that changing only the Paper JAR is always sufficient. If a plugin update changed its data format or the new server wrote world data, restoring the matching pre-update files keeps the rollback set consistent.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common update problems and their fixes
The server says the Java version is unsupported
Compare the target Minecraft/Paper release with Paper’s compatibility table, then install or select the required Java runtime in the same environment that launches the server. Update the service, container image or panel runtime selection if it still points to an older Java executable. Do not solve a Java error by repeatedly downloading different Paper builds.
The server cannot find the JAR
Read the startup command literally. Confirm the working directory, capitalization and filename after renaming the downloaded file. If the command says -jar paper.jar, either create that exact filename or edit the command to the new name. Remove ambiguous duplicate JARs from the directory.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A plugin is disabled or throws errors
Read the first plugin error and its dependency messages in the startup log. Check the plugin’s official release information for the target Minecraft version, install required dependencies and remove duplicate versions. If no compatible release exists, restore the previous Paper/plugin combination or run the target version without that plugin only after deciding what functionality will be unavailable.
The world appears missing or reset
Stop immediately and do not generate new terrain in the affected location. Check the server directory, the level name in server.properties, world-management plugin settings and the backup. A wrong working directory or level name can make an intact world look absent. Restore the known-good world folders if the update changed or replaced them.
The server starts but players experience odd behavior
Compare the log from a test login with the plugin compatibility list. Check permissions, scheduled tasks, database connections and world-specific settings. A successful startup only proves that the process launched; it does not prove that every feature is compatible.
Best Value
- Play and share with friends on console, mobile and Windows 10
- discover community creations in the new in-game store
- access new mini games and game modes through servers
Manual hosting versus a managed control panel
Manual JAR replacement gives an administrator direct control over timing and files. A managed control panel can be more convenient for an owner who prefers buttons, automated backups or built-in version selection, but the underlying compatibility decisions remain yours.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Decision area | Manual self-hosting | Managed control panel |
|---|---|---|
| Downtime control | You choose the exact stop and restart window. | The panel may schedule or automate restarts, subject to its controls. |
| Backups and rollback | You create, label and store rolling backups. | Backup and restore tools may be integrated; verify retention and where copies are stored. |
| Paper-build selection | You download and name the exact JAR. | The interface may offer version selectors; verify that the requested build is available. |
| Java management | You install and select the required runtime. | The provider may expose Java choices; confirm the runtime used by the server. |
| Plugin workflow | You inspect releases, stage JARs and read logs directly. | The panel may simplify uploads, but you still must check compatibility and dependencies. |
| Log access | Full access to console and service logs. | Access depends on the panel and its retention settings. |
| Automation | Scripts, services and scheduled jobs are under your control. | Built-in schedules can reduce routine work but may hide file-level details. |
| Cost | Depends on your hardware, network and administration time. | Depends on the provider and plan; no universal price follows from Paper itself. |
Choose the model that matches your tolerance for file and Java administration. In either model, demand a full backup, an identifiable Paper build, usable logs and a way to restore the previous state.
Do not confuse an update with a server migration
Moving from Vanilla Minecraft to Paper or moving between server implementations is a separate operation from replacing one Paper JAR with a newer Paper JAR. Paper’s migration guidance calls for a full backup first. Paper can replace a Vanilla server JAR directly when migrating to Paper, while moving from modern Paper back to Vanilla may require moving specified world-data files.
Do not mix those migration instructions into a routine Paper-to-newer-Paper update. If your goal is to change server software, follow the migration procedure for that direction and test the resulting world on a copy before exposing it to players.
Update checklist
- Target Minecraft release and Paper build selected.
- Java runtime checked against Paper’s compatibility table.
- Maintenance window announced.
- Worlds, server files, plugin configurations and plugin JARs backed up.
- Backup stored separately and labeled for rollback.
- Every plugin checked for target-version compatibility.
- Server stopped completely before any JAR replacement.
- New Paper JAR downloaded and matched to the startup command.
- Staged plugin updates placed in
plugins/updatewhen appropriate. - Startup command run with the intended Java runtime and filename.
- Startup log inspected for conflicts and errors.
- Worlds, commands, permissions, plugins and scheduled jobs tested before reopening.
- Known-good JARs and backup retained until stability is established.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace the Paper JAR while the server is running?
No. Stop the server completely first. Paper explicitly warns against replacing any JAR in a running server because the process may still be reading or writing it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Will updating Paper delete my world?
Replacing the Paper JAR does not inherently delete world folders, but you should make a complete backup of every world and configuration before updating. If something goes wrong, stop the server and restore the known-good backup.
Which Java version does Paper require?
Paper lists Java 8 for Minecraft 1.7.10–1.11, Java 11 for 1.12–1.16.4, Java 16 for 1.16.5, Java 17 for 1.17–1.19, Java 21 for 1.20–1.21.11 and Java 25 for 26.1 and later.
Where do I put plugin updates?
Paper supports staging replacement plugin JARs in the plugins/update folder. Stop and restart the server to apply them, and check each plugin’s compatibility with the target Minecraft/Paper version first.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
