Minecraft Server Won't Start: Causes and Fixes

If your Minecraft server won't start, the most common cause is that the Minecraft EULA has not been accepted, followed by running out of memory, the wrong Java version, or a plugin or mod that fails to load. Your SolumeCore panel can detect most of these for you: open the Console tab, go to Performance & crashes and press Diagnose now in Crashes to get the cause and, often, a one-click fix.

Quick checklist

Check these first, in order:

1. Is the EULA accepted? A dialog appears when the server needs it.
2. What do the last lines of the console say? The error is almost always there.
3. Did you change the version, a plugin or a mod just before it stopped working?
4. Is the Java version right for your Minecraft version?
5. Is the server suspended, or is the installation still running?

Step 1: read the console

1. Open dashboard.solumecore.com, go to Game servers and open your server.
2. Open the Console tab and press Start.
3. Watch the last lines. Lines with ERROR, Exception or Caused by tell you the reason.
4. For the full log, go to Console → Performance & crashes → Logs. You can filter Errors, search a word and press Share on mclo.gs to get a link you can send to support or a plugin developer. That service hides IP addresses in the log.

Step 2: let the panel diagnose it

Go to Console → Performance & crashes → Crashes and press Diagnose now. Every time the server stops by itself, the panel tells you why and how to fix it. The causes it recognizes, and what to do about each one, are below.

The EULA has not been accepted

Minecraft does not start until you accept the Mojang EULA. When the console shows that it needs it, the panel opens Accept the Minecraft EULA. Press Accept and start. It writes eula=true into eula.txt and starts the server. You accept the agreement with Mojang yourself, and it is recorded in your server's history. If you closed the dialog, the fix Accept the EULA is also available in Crashes (tick I accept the EULA and press Apply).

You can also edit eula.txt in Files and set:

eula=true

It ran out of memory

If Java used all the RAM, the cause is It ran out of memory. Remove some plugins or mods, lower the view distance, pre-generate the world or move to a bigger plan. See fix Minecraft lag and TPS and upgrade your game server plan.

Wrong Java version

New Minecraft versions need newer Java. Open the Settings tab, go to Version & installer and look at Java version. The panel tells you whether the one in use is Compatible, Too old or May not work. Choose the right version, press Use this version and restart. In the Crashes view the fix Switch to Java … does the same for you. Your files are not touched. See change the Java version of your Minecraft server.

A mod or plugin is the problem

Recent additions are the first suspects. The diagnosis can point to:

• A dependency is missing. Press Install what is missing. The panel looks for it on Modrinth and installs it, and tells you if one cannot be found.
• A client-only mod is installed. Mods meant for the game client (graphics, menus) must not be on the server. Use Disable that file.
• Incompatible mods. One mod does not work with another or with this Minecraft version. Use Disable that file on the one it names, or update it.
• A plugin fails to load. Same fix: disable the file, then start the server again.

Disable that file renames the file to .disabled. Nothing is deleted, and you can enable it again from Files. After applying a fix, start the server to try it.

The port is already in use

If the console says the address is already in use or that it could not bind to the port, the server could not open its port. Check server.properties in Files for server-port, and the main port in Network & domain → Ports & domain. If it persists, open a ticket from the panel.

The world is corrupted

If part of the world cannot be read, the safest option is to restore a backup. See game server backups.

Other things to check

• The server is installing or the installation failed. While it installs, the panel says your server will be usable when it finishes. If it shows Installation failed, try reinstalling it and, if it fails again, open a ticket. See reinstall or reset your game server.
• The server is suspended. The panel shows Suspended and asks you to settle the payment before you can use it again. Check your invoices in the panel.
• It starts and stops by itself. With Start it again automatically on, a crashing server restarts up to the maximum retries, then stays off and notifies you. Fix the cause shown in the console instead of restarting in a loop.
• You changed the version or loader. Check that your plugins or mods support it. Fabric mods do not work on Paper and the other way round. See change your Minecraft server version or type.

FAQ

Why does my Minecraft server start and stop immediately?

Almost always because the EULA is not accepted, or because of an error in the console. Accept the EULA and read the last lines of the console.

How do I accept the Minecraft EULA?

Press Start. When the dialog Accept the Minecraft EULA appears, press Accept and start. You can also set eula=true in eula.txt.

My Minecraft server crashed. What do I do?

Open Console → Performance & crashes → Crashes and press Diagnose now. If a fix is offered, press Apply, then start the server.

Will I lose my world if I fix a crash?

No. The one-click fixes do not touch the world. Disable that file only renames a mod or plugin file. Make a backup before bigger changes.

Related articles

• Fix Minecraft lag and low TPS
• Change the Java version of your Minecraft server
• Game server console commands
• Game server backups

Tired of fixing crashes alone? Our Minecraft hosting includes a panel with a built-in crash diagnosis.