Minecraft Server Plugin Installation Guide

This guide is for plugin-based Minecraft Java servers such as Spigot, Paper, and compatible forks.

Vanilla, Bedrock, and most mod-loader servers (Forge/Fabric/NeoForge) do not use Bukkit/Spigot plugins.

We recommend plugin downloads from SpigotMC, Modrinth, or CurseForge.

Before You Install Plugins

Only install plugins from trusted authors and sources.

Check plugin compatibility with both your Minecraft version and your server software version.

Some plugins require dependency plugins. Review each plugin page for required libraries or companion plugins.

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Download the plugin to your computer
  2. Log in to the ApexNode panel: https://panel.apexnode.host
  3. Select your Minecraft server
  4. Open the Files tab
  5. Open the plugins folder
  6. If the plugins folder does not exist, create it
  7. Upload the plugin .jar file into plugins
  8. If your download is a .zip, unarchive it and upload the contained .jar file(s)
  9. Restart the server
  10. Confirm the plugin loads in console output and in-game behavior

Troubleshooting

If a plugin does not load, check:

  1. The plugin file is a valid .jar
  2. Plugin version matches your Minecraft and server software version
  3. Required dependencies are installed
  4. Server restarted after upload
  5. Startup logs for specific plugin errors