While hanging out in the Minecraft IRC channel it's hard not to notice how many people need help with hosting their own server, so I figured with the new forum and all, why not make a list of possible solutions to try. If you think it's a good idea, feel free to add things to the list and I'll edit them into the first post.
1. Using a router? Then you probably need to forward the correct ports for the Minecraft server to work, see Port Forwarding section further down.
2. Trying to connect to your own server but it won't work? Try using this url: http://www.minecraft.net/play.jsp?ip=127.0.0.1&port=25565. Note however that if you've altered the port settings in server.properties, you'll have to replace 25565 with the port in your server.properties file.
3. Getting an Illegal name error, or are people getting kicked just as they enter the server? Try setting the verify-names option in server.properties to "false", or add the players you want on your server to players.txt
4. Other people still having trouble connecting to your server? If you're running a firewall (Yes, this includes the Windows Firewall that is on by default) you'll have to configure it accordingly or disable it. How to do it all depends on the firewall though, so start by checking if disabling the firewall fixes your problem, if it does, start diving into the configuration and trying different things, don't forget to post your solution here.
5. When trying to start the server, do you get an error saying something like "'java' is not a recognized command"? If so, the most probable reason is that the installation of Java didn't install the path variable. Solutions can be found further down, in the "Path Variable" section.
6. Running Skype? Sometimes Skype can interfere with the Minecraft Server, if you've tried the other options already, try shutting off Skype.
Port Forwarding
Depending on what router you use, the interface might look different. However, http://www.portforward.com/ has guides for most kinds of routers. Find your router model in the list, and follow the instructions. If you haven't edited the port option in server.properties, the default port is 25565.
Path Variable
Quote from Wikipedia »
PATH is an environment variable on Unix-like operating systems, DOS, OS/2, and Microsoft Windows, specifying a set of directories where executable programs are located. In general, each executing process or user session has its own PATH setting.
In short, if Java hasn't installed the path variable, you won't be able to call java by using the command "java", which is why you get the error "'java' is not a recognized command". There are two solutions to this, A) Supply the path to java yourself or :cool.gif: Add the path variable manually. Option B is a bit trickier (but not hard), and if you're not careful things could go very wrong, but it also ensures you won't have this problem with other Java apps, and option A is completely safe, but means it's a one app solution.
A) Supplying the path to Java yourself
First you'll have to find java.exe. The path to this varies, but usually it hangs out in something like C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe. If you still can't find it, try doing a file search for "java.exe". If you still can't find java.exe, it most probably means your java installation is incomplete or faulty, I recommend a Java reinstall.
Once you've found Java.exe, write down the path to the file, like such:
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe
Now open up your "start server.bat" (the file which you start the server with) with notepad (If you right click it, there's usually an option to Edit it), and find the second line, it should look something like this:
Important: If the path to your java.exe contains spaces, you have to enclose it with quotation marks as I have done in the example above, or it won't recognize it as a complete path.
Now the whole start server.bat should look like this:
@echo off
"C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe" -Xms512M -Xmx512M -cp minecraft-server.jar com.mojang.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer
pause
If everything looks right, save it and start it up.
If your server still isn't starting, copy the contents of the console window and make a thread about it.
:cool.gif: Adding the path variable manually
I'd like to cover how to do this, but atm I'm too tired, and the guide would need a few images to be 100% accurate. I might edit this in later, option A will always work, so it's alright. If anyone feels like writing it, just make a reply with it and I'll edit it in.
I did that, though it didn't seem to work... plus, when i look for the server to add it to the firewall exception list, it's not there. Though when I ran it, it asked for me to keep blocking it or to unblock it. Now it doesn't ask me to block or unblock it anymore.
I actually managed to get it working without port forwarding by using port 2302 (The port halo uses by default, I just copied it off). I'm not sure if it will hold up with other users that well, but it's fine if you want to mess around with mapmaking.
Everything I try fails, I'm a noob at computer stuff, but I have hosted my own server multitudes of times before, minecraft and otherwise. It was pretty straightforward, and so far all that I can do doesn't work. I tried re-installing the server software and everything like that, but it still wont work. I've tried using the external URL and the one you posted, but when I look at my server it says 127.0.0.1 is an illegal name or something. Any suggestions?
Everything I try fails, I'm a noob at computer stuff, but I have hosted my own server multitudes of times before, minecraft and otherwise. It was pretty straightforward, and so far all that I can do doesn't work. I tried re-installing the server software and everything like that, but it still wont work. I've tried using the external URL and the one you posted, but when I look at my server it says 127.0.0.1 is an illegal name or something. Any suggestions?
Rephrased #3 in the first post, the solution to the illegal name error is setting verify-names to false in the server.properties file.
Obvious if your server is up, but not allowing you to connect. Something is still blocking it. If you're using a firewall, along with a router, turn the firewall off. It will only interfere.
I need help i tryed to port forward with the program on how to make your own minecraft (with pics) and it didn't work and so i tryed manually and it still dont work heres a pic
D-LINK DIR 615 Hardware Version: B2 Firmware Version: 2.20
Connection Type : DHCP Client
Wireless Connection (i am the 2nd computer hooked to a 3 computer and soon to be 4 computer line)
AntiVirius Program: PC Tools Antivirius
Firewall: Windows
Please i need help trying to get this work but everytime i do a port check it says The port is not opened or couldn't be reached and my server dont work :9
A. Check if thats the correct internal ip. Go to run, type cmd, wait for the black box to load, type ipconfig, try to find Ip-Address, or Ipv4, there should be a address either: 127.0.0.1 or 192.168.1.x (X being a number or three numbers.) That will be the ip you need to put in.
B. You didn't set both Tcp/Udp. You never know.
12:24:50 Setting up
! 12:24:50 No level file found. Generating a new level
12:24:50 Generating level
12:25:02 Now accepting input on *****
12:25:03 Level saved! Load: 0/16
12:25:03 To connect directly to this server, surf to: http://www.minecraft.net/play.jsp?serve ... **********
12:25:03 (This is also in externalurl.txt)
12:26:12 Level saved! Load: 0/16
12:26:31 /127.0.0.1 connected
12:26:32 Kicking /127.0.0.1: Illegal name.
12:26:32 /127.0.0.1 disconnected
I'm having difficulty with this as well, getting the "Server must be down" error. A lot of the posts here went over my head, so I ask you to forgive my n00bishness. I'm not good at all when it comes to this kind of stuff.
I'm trying to make a server for me and my friend to goof off on, since this is a very fun game, and reminds me of my childhood years playing with Lego bricks. I have webspace with 1and1 (I believe they use Linux) if that is of any help. I myself have a Linksys Router, and I have no idea if he has a router. However, if I were to host on my site's webspace, would a router even matter? How do I install this?
This stuff is confusing, but this game is worth it.
1. Using a router? Then you probably need to forward the correct ports for the Minecraft server to work, see Port Forwarding section further down.
2. Trying to connect to your own server but it won't work? Try using this url: http://www.minecraft.net/play.jsp?ip=127.0.0.1&port=25565. Note however that if you've altered the port settings in server.properties, you'll have to replace 25565 with the port in your server.properties file.
3. Getting an Illegal name error, or are people getting kicked just as they enter the server? Try setting the verify-names option in server.properties to "false", or add the players you want on your server to players.txt
4. Other people still having trouble connecting to your server? If you're running a firewall (Yes, this includes the Windows Firewall that is on by default) you'll have to configure it accordingly or disable it. How to do it all depends on the firewall though, so start by checking if disabling the firewall fixes your problem, if it does, start diving into the configuration and trying different things, don't forget to post your solution here.
5. When trying to start the server, do you get an error saying something like "'java' is not a recognized command"? If so, the most probable reason is that the installation of Java didn't install the path variable. Solutions can be found further down, in the "Path Variable" section.
6. Running Skype? Sometimes Skype can interfere with the Minecraft Server, if you've tried the other options already, try shutting off Skype.
Port Forwarding
Depending on what router you use, the interface might look different. However, http://www.portforward.com/ has guides for most kinds of routers. Find your router model in the list, and follow the instructions. If you haven't edited the port option in server.properties, the default port is 25565.
Path Variable
In short, if Java hasn't installed the path variable, you won't be able to call java by using the command "java", which is why you get the error "'java' is not a recognized command". There are two solutions to this, A) Supply the path to java yourself or :cool.gif: Add the path variable manually. Option B is a bit trickier (but not hard), and if you're not careful things could go very wrong, but it also ensures you won't have this problem with other Java apps, and option A is completely safe, but means it's a one app solution.
A) Supplying the path to Java yourself
First you'll have to find java.exe. The path to this varies, but usually it hangs out in something like C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe. If you still can't find it, try doing a file search for "java.exe". If you still can't find java.exe, it most probably means your java installation is incomplete or faulty, I recommend a Java reinstall.
Once you've found Java.exe, write down the path to the file, like such:
Now open up your "start server.bat" (the file which you start the server with) with notepad (If you right click it, there's usually an option to Edit it), and find the second line, it should look something like this:
Replace the bolded out part ("java") with the path you wrote down to java.exe, so that the second line looks something like this:
Important: If the path to your java.exe contains spaces, you have to enclose it with quotation marks as I have done in the example above, or it won't recognize it as a complete path.
Now the whole start server.bat should look like this:
If everything looks right, save it and start it up.
If your server still isn't starting, copy the contents of the console window and make a thread about it.
:cool.gif: Adding the path variable manually
I'd like to cover how to do this, but atm I'm too tired, and the guide would need a few images to be 100% accurate. I might edit this in later, option A will always work, so it's alright. If anyone feels like writing it, just make a reply with it and I'll edit it in.
There doesn't need to be a specific guide for minecraft; http://www.portforward.com/english/rout ... efault.htm will do just fine.
I did that, though it didn't seem to work... plus, when i look for the server to add it to the firewall exception list, it's not there. Though when I ran it, it asked for me to keep blocking it or to unblock it. Now it doesn't ask me to block or unblock it anymore.
Rephrased #3 in the first post, the solution to the illegal name error is setting verify-names to false in the server.properties file.
kthnx
The only way I can get into my server is by using the link provided in the OP, though then the problem is getting other people in.
However, i just got a new modem today. DI-514.
I used Port Forward Checker to see if the port is open. It says it is open!
However, when i try to connect to my own server. It gets stuck on the connecting screen and eventually tells me that the server could of shutdown.
My server does show up on the server list. If that means anything.
City and Art Server Status:
Thanks mail2345 for hosting my server!
Former #minecraft channel operator.
D-LINK DIR 615 Hardware Version: B2 Firmware Version: 2.20
Connection Type : DHCP Client
Wireless Connection (i am the 2nd computer hooked to a 3 computer and soon to be 4 computer line)
AntiVirius Program: PC Tools Antivirius
Firewall: Windows
Please i need help trying to get this work but everytime i do a port check it says The port is not opened or couldn't be reached and my server dont work :9
B. You didn't set both Tcp/Udp. You never know.
Former #minecraft channel operator.
I found out by redownloading the server, and changing the port, fixes some 'illegal name' problems.
Former #minecraft channel operator.
Why would I help Mac users if I don't have a Mac? I would have no idea where to start. I'm sure that applies to most of the others that help people.
Some people help Linux users though.
12:24:50 Setting up
! 12:24:50 No level file found. Generating a new level
12:24:50 Generating level
12:25:02 Now accepting input on *****
12:25:03 Level saved! Load: 0/16
12:25:03 To connect directly to this server, surf to: http://www.minecraft.net/play.jsp?serve ... **********
12:25:03 (This is also in externalurl.txt)
12:26:12 Level saved! Load: 0/16
12:26:31 /127.0.0.1 connected
12:26:32 Kicking /127.0.0.1: Illegal name.
12:26:32 /127.0.0.1 disconnected
How can I stop this from happening?
I'm trying to make a server for me and my friend to goof off on, since this is a very fun game, and reminds me of my childhood years playing with Lego bricks. I have webspace with 1and1 (I believe they use Linux) if that is of any help. I myself have a Linksys Router, and I have no idea if he has a router. However, if I were to host on my site's webspace, would a router even matter? How do I install this?
This stuff is confusing, but this game is worth it.