Minecraft server.properties Guide
The server.properties file controls how your Minecraft Java server behaves. From player limits to world generation and performance tuning, this file is where most core settings live.
You can edit server.properties from your Nodecraft panel using the Files menu. Always stop your server before making changes, then start it again after saving.
Below is a breakdown of every setting and what it does.
server.properties Details
accepts-transfers
Controls whether the server accepts incoming player transfers via transfer packets. If set to false, transfer attempts are rejected and the player is disconnected.
allow-flight
Controls whether players using fly mods in Survival mode are kicked. If set to false, players flying longer than 5 seconds in Survival will be kicked. If set to true, the server will not kick them, but it does not grant flight.
broadcast-console-to-ops
Sends console command output to online OP players.
broadcast-rcon-to-ops
Sends RCON command output to online OP players.
bug-report-link
Sets the link used when players run /report-bug. Place your website or support URL here.
debug
Enables debug mode for the server.
difficulty
Sets world difficulty.
Options:
peaceful
easy
normal
hard
This affects mob damage, hunger behavior, and survival mechanics.
enable-code-of-conduct
If enabled, the server looks for Code of Conduct files to show players based on language.
enable-command-block
Enables command blocks. If disabled, command blocks will not function even if they exist in the world.
enable-jmx-monitoring
Exposes tick time metrics for advanced monitoring tools.
enable-query
Enables GameSpy query protocol. This allows server listing websites to check player count and server status.
enable-rcon
Enables remote console access (RCON). Must also set rcon.password and rcon.port.
enable-status
Controls whether the server appears online in the Multiplayer list. If set to false, it will appear offline but still allow direct connections.
enforce-secure-profile
Requires Mojang-signed public keys. If disabled, chat messages will be unsigned and players will see a warning.
enforce-whitelist
When enabled, players not on the whitelist are kicked immediately after whitelist reload.
entity-broadcast-range-percentage
Controls how far entities render relative to the default. Lower values improve performance. Example: 50 = half the normal range.
force-gamemode
Forces players into the default gamemode on join.
function-permission-level
Sets the default permission level for functions. Levels range from 1 to 4.
gamemode
Default gamemode for new players.
Options:
survival (0)
creative (1)
adventure (2)
spectator (3)
generate-structures
Controls generation of villages, temples, and other structures. Dungeons still generate even if disabled.
generator-settings
Used to customize world generation. Depends on level-type.
hardcore
Enables hardcore mode for newly generated worlds.
hide-online-players
Prevents sending the player list in status requests.
initial-disabled-packs
Datapacks that will not auto-enable on world creation.
initial-enabled-packs
Datapacks enabled automatically on world creation. Comma-separated list.
level-name
World folder name. If the folder exists, it loads. If not, it creates a new world.
level-seed
World seed.
Leave blank for random.
level-type
World generation preset.
Options:
minecraft:normal
minecraft:flat
minecraft:large_biomes
minecraft:amplified
minecraft:single_biome_surface
log-ips
Logs player IP addresses in console and logs.
management-server-allowed-origins
Allowed origins for the built-in management server.
management-server-enabled
Enables the built-in management server.
management-server-host
Host/interface the management server binds to.
management-server-port
Port used by the management server.
management-server-secret
Authentication secret for the management server.
management-server-tls-enabled
Enables TLS encryption for the management server.
management-server-tls-keystore
Path to TLS keystore file.
management-server-tls-keystore-password
Password for TLS keystore.
max-chained-neighbor-updates
Limits consecutive block updates. Negative value disables the limit.
max-players
Maximum number of players allowed at once. Very high values can break the client player list display.
max-tick-time
Maximum time (in milliseconds) a single tick can take before the watchdog shuts down the server. Set to -1 to disable watchdog.
max-world-size
Sets maximum world border distance from center.
motd
Message shown in the Multiplayer server list.
Supports:
Color codes
Formatting codes
Non-ASCII characters
Keep under 59 characters to avoid display errors.
network-compression-threshold
Controls packet compression size.
Values:
-1 = disable compression
0 = compress everything
Default is optimized for most setups.
online-mode
Requires authenticated Minecraft accounts. If disabled, cracked clients can join.
op-permission-level
Sets permission level granted to OP players. Range: 1–4.
pause-when-empty-seconds
Pauses the server after being empty for this many seconds. Set to -1 to disable.
player-idle-timeout
Kicks players after this many minutes of inactivity. Set to 0 to disable.
prevent-proxy-connections
Attempts to block VPN or proxy connections.
query.port
Port used for server query protocol.
rate-limit
Limits packet rate per player. Set to 0 to disable.
rcon.password
Password for RCON access.
rcon.port
Port used for RCON.
region-file-compression
Controls region file compression format.
require-resource-pack
Forces players to accept the resource pack before joining.
resource-pack
URL of the server resource pack.
resource-pack-id
Unique identifier for the resource pack.
resource-pack-prompt
Custom message shown when prompting players to download the resource pack.
resource-pack-sha1
SHA-1 hash of the resource pack file.
server-ip
IP address the server binds to. Leave blank in most hosting environments.
server-port
Port the server runs on.
Default: 25565
simulation-distance
Controls how far from players the server processes entities and blocks.
Lower = better performance.
spawn-protection
Radius (in blocks) around spawn where non-OP players cannot build.
status-heartbeat-interval
Controls how often the server updates its status heartbeat.
sync-chunk-writes
Forces chunk writes to complete before continuing. May reduce corruption but impact performance.
text-filtering-config
Configures chat filtering behavior.
text-filtering-version
Specifies filtering version.
use-native-transport
Enables optimized networking for Linux systems.
view-distance
Controls how many chunks players can see. Higher values increase load.
white-list
Enables the whitelist system. Only players on the whitelist can join.
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