Minecraft server.properties Explained (Java 26.3 Settings)
server.properties is the plain-text file in your Minecraft server folder that controls the basics: slot count, difficulty, game mode, whitelist, view distance and the message of the day. Edit it with the server stopped, save it, and start the server again for changes to apply. This guide covers the settings people actually change and flags the ones that moved out of the file.
It was checked in November 2026 against Minecraft Java 26.3 (released September 15, 2026) using Mojang's release notes and community references. Defaults can differ if your host preconfigures the file, so always trust what is in your own copy.
- Edit with the server stopped. Settings are read at startup.
pvp,spawn-monsters,allow-netherandenable-command-blockare no longer in the file. They became game rules, set in-game with/gamerule.- In Minecraft 26.3, new servers get
white-list=trueby default. Existing files keep whatever value they had. simulation-distanceis usually the more expensive of the two distance settings; lower it first if the server lags.- Leave
online-mode=trueunless a trusted proxy handles account checks.
On this page
What changed recently
- Version numbers. Java Edition releases in 2026 use numbers such as 26.2 and 26.3 instead of 1.x. Mojang's last 1.x release was 1.21.11.
- Settings that became game rules. Mojang's snapshot 25w35a notes list
allow-nether,spawn-monsters,enable-command-blockandpvpas removed server properties replaced by new game rules. Check game rule names with in-game autocomplete after typing/gamerule, because naming changed in 26.2 according to community references. - Whitelist default. Mojang's 26.3 notes say the
white-listproperty is now enabled by default. Existingserver.propertiesfiles are not rewritten. - Older removals.
spawn-animalsandspawn-npcswere removed in 1.21.2. Old keys stay in the file but do nothing.
Gameplay settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
gamemode | Mode new players start in: survival, creative, adventure or spectator. | survival |
force-gamemode | If true, every player is set to gamemode on join. | false |
difficulty | peaceful, easy, normal or hard. | easy |
hardcore | Locks hard difficulty and makes death permanent. | false |
allow-flight | Stops the server kicking players for flying in survival. Needed by some mods and plugins. | false |
spawn-protection | Radius around spawn that regular players cannot build in. 0 disables it. Operators are not affected. | 16 |
max-players | Maximum simultaneous players. | 20 |
Access: whitelist, online-mode and operators
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
white-list | Only listed players can join. | true in new 26.3 files |
enforce-whitelist | When the whitelist reloads, kicks online players who are not on it. | false |
online-mode | Verifies players' accounts with Mojang. | true |
enforce-secure-profile | Requires Mojang-signed chat keys. | true |
op-permission-level | Permission level for newly opped players, 0 to 4. | 4 |
player-idle-timeout | Minutes idle before kicking. 0 never kicks. | 0 |
Don't turn online-mode off to let players with unverified accounts in. It lets anyone impersonate any username, including operators. The legitimate use is behind a trusted proxy (Velocity or BungeeCord, for example) that does the authentication itself.
Performance: view-distance and simulation-distance
Both accept 3 to 32 and default to 10 in the vanilla server. view-distance is how many chunks the server sends to each player. simulation-distance is how many chunks around each player have entities, crops and redstone ticking, and it is usually the setting that costs more CPU.
- Server lagging or stuttering: lower
simulation-distancefirst, for example to 6 to 8. - Terrain pop-in complaints: raise
view-distancemodestly. It has little effect on gameplay logic. max-tick-time(default 60000 ms) is a watchdog that stops the server if one tick takes too long. Set it to -1 only if a heavy modpack genuinely needs more.entity-broadcast-range-percentage(default 100) can be lowered to reduce how far away entities are sent to players.
World settings
level-name(defaultworld) is the world folder. Changing it makes the server load a different folder or generate a new world.level-seedonly affects a world that is being created. Changing it on an existing world does nothing for chunks that already exist.level-typeis the world preset (defaultminecraft:normal).generate-structures(default true) controls villages, strongholds and similar.max-world-size(default 29999984) is the border radius from the centre.
Server list, networking and remote access
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
motd | The line under the server name in the multiplayer list. Keep it short. | A Minecraft Server |
server-port | Port the server listens on. On a managed host this is assigned for you, so leave it. | 25565 |
server-ip | Bind address. Leave blank unless you know you need it. | blank |
enable-status | Answers server list pings. False shows the server as offline. | true |
enable-rcon | Enables unencrypted remote console. Requires rcon.password. | false |
rcon.port | RCON port. | 25575 |
resource-pack | Direct download URL for a server resource pack. | blank |
Use RCON only with a strong password and do not expose it more than necessary, since it is unencrypted. Hosting with ChicagoServers? The Minecraft server hosting page lists what is included, such as one-click mod and modpack installs, free server backups and SFTP file access.
Changing a setting safely
- Stop the server
The file is read at startup, and a running server can overwrite your edits.
- Back up the folder
Copy
server.propertiesand the world folder before bigger changes. - Change one thing at a time
If something breaks, you will know why.
- Start and check the log
Read
logs/latest.logfor warnings about the file.
Frequently asked questions
Where is server.properties?
In the main folder of your Minecraft server, next to the server jar. It is generated the first time the server starts.
Why doesn't pvp=false work in server.properties anymore?
Mojang removed it and replaced it with a game rule. Run /gamerule pvp false in game or from the console.
Why is my whitelist on by default?
Minecraft 26.3 made white-list default to true for newly generated server.properties files. Set it to false if you want an open server, or add players to the whitelist.
What is a good view distance for a Minecraft server?
The default is 10. If the server lags, reduce simulation-distance first, to around 6 to 8, and keep view-distance as high as the server can comfortably handle.