How to Install Plugins on a Minecraft Paper Server
To install a plugin on a Paper server, download its .jar, upload it to the plugins folder in your server's main directory on the Files tab, and restart. Then type plugins on the Console tab. A plugin shown in green is running, and one shown in red failed to load.
This guide covers where to get plugins safely, the install steps, what to do when a plugin does not load, and how to update. It was checked on 2026-11-15 against the Paper documentation. Plugins are not mods: they run on Paper, Spigot and similar servers, and not on Forge or Fabric. See Paper vs Spigot vs Purpur vs Vanilla if you are unsure which you run.
- Put the plugin
.jardirectly in thepluginsfolder. Subfolders are not checked. - Restart the server, then run
pluginson the Console tab. Green is loaded, red is not. - If a plugin fails, check
logs/latest.lognear where the plugins load. The usual causes are a missing dependency, a file that is not a plugin, or two copies of the same plugin. - Plugins have full access to your server, so only download them from sources you trust.
- Take a backup on the Backups tab before adding or updating plugins.
On this page
Pick plugins safely
Paper's documentation warns that plugins get full and unrestricted access to your server and the machine it runs on. Treat every plugin as code you are choosing to run.
- Use trusted places: Paper's own repository (Hangar), Modrinth, BukkitDev, or a project's GitHub page.
- Check that the plugin supports your Minecraft version and Paper. A plugin built for an old version may break.
- Read the plugin's page for required dependencies, which are other plugins it needs.
- Avoid cracked or re-uploaded copies and files from unknown sites.
Install a plugin
- Back up first
On the Backups tab, choose Whole server or World and settings and click Back up now.
- Download the .jar
If the download is a
.zip, extract it on your computer and find the.jarlabelled for Bukkit or Paper. - Upload it
Open the Files tab, go to the
pluginsfolder in the server's main directory and upload the.jar. For many files, use SFTP with the details on the Files tab. It must be SFTP, since plain FTP will not connect. - Restart
Click Restart at the top of the server page.
- Check the list
On the Console tab, run the command below, or
/pluginsin game. The new plugin should be green.plugins
Configure a plugin
Most plugins create their own folder inside plugins the first time they start, with a config file you can edit on the Files tab. Edit it, save, and restart so it is read again. Each plugin documents its own settings and commands, so read its page.
A plugin does not load
Open logs/latest.log on the Files tab and scroll to the part near the start where plugins load. Paper's documentation lists these common causes:
| What you see | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| A missing dependency is named | Install the plugin it names, for example Vault, and restart. |
| Invalid plugin.yml | The file is not a Paper plugin (such as a Forge or Fabric mod), or the download was incomplete or an error page. Download it again. If you upload by FTP, use binary mode. |
| Ambiguous plugin name | Two versions of the same plugin are installed. Keep one and restart. |
| Nothing is logged | The file is not in the main plugins folder, or does not end in .jar. |
| The plugin is red | It failed to load. Read the log for the reason. |
| The server will not start at all | Remove the newest plugin and restart. See Minecraft server won't start. |
Update and remove plugins
- Updating: Paper's documentation mentions an
updatefolder so you do not end up running two versions of one plugin. Never leave the old and new.jarside by side inplugins. - Back up before every update. Some updates change config files or data.
- Removing: stop the server, delete the
.jarand restart. Its folder and data stay until you delete them. - After a Minecraft update, wait until your plugins support the new version, or the server may fail to start them.
If plugins start causing lag, profile them. See the lag guide. Looking for a host? See Minecraft server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install plugins on a Paper server?
Download the plugin's .jar, upload it to the plugins folder in the server's main directory on the Files tab, restart, and run plugins on the Console tab. A green name means it loaded.
Where do Minecraft plugins go?
In the plugins folder in the server's root directory. Files in subfolders are not loaded.
Why is my plugin red in the plugins list?
It failed to load. Check logs/latest.log near where plugins load. The usual causes are a missing dependency, an invalid plugin file or a duplicate plugin.
Are plugins and mods the same?
No. Plugins run on Paper, Spigot and similar servers. Mods need Forge, NeoForge or Fabric. A mod jar will not work as a plugin.
Where should I download Minecraft plugins?
From trusted sources such as Hangar, Modrinth, BukkitDev or the project's GitHub page. Paper's documentation warns that plugins have full access to your server.