---
title: "How to change the MOTD and server icon"
url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/how-to-change-the-motd-and-server-icon
category: "Minecraft Hosting"
type: Guide
tags: ["minecraft", "properties"]
keywords: "server description, server list message, colour codes, color codes, two line motd, server logo, server-icon.png, 64x64, server picture, motd generator, motd, change motd, colored motd, motd colors, server icon, change server icon, server icon not showing, server-icon, server name in list"
difficulty: beginner
time: "5 minutes"
updated: 2026-11-14
source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official)
---

# How to change the MOTD and server icon

> Set the motd property in the Properties tab (use § colour codes and \n for a second line) and upload a 64×64 server-icon.png to the server's main folder.

The **MOTD** (message of the day) is the text shown under your server's name in the Minecraft multiplayer list. The **server icon** is the small picture next to it. You can change both in a few minutes.

## Change the MOTD

1.  Open your server in the Game Panel and go to the **Properties** tab.
    
2.  Search for `motd` and type your message in its text box (the default is `A Minecraft Server`).
    
3.  Click **SAVE**, then **Restart** the server.
    
4.  Refresh the server list in Minecraft to see it.
    

### Colours and formatting

Put a `§` sign and a code before the text you want to colour. The style lasts until the next code.

| Code | Result | Code | Result |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `§0` | Black | `§8` | Dark grey |
| `§1` | Dark blue | `§9` | Blue |
| `§2` | Dark green | `§a` | Green |
| `§3` | Dark aqua | `§b` | Aqua |
| `§4` | Dark red | `§c` | Red |
| `§5` | Dark purple | `§d` | Light purple |
| `§6` | Gold | `§e` | Yellow |
| `§7` | Grey | `§f` | White |
| `§l` | **Bold** | `§o` | *Italic* |
| `§n` | Underline | `§m` | Strikethrough |
| `§k` | Scrambled text | `§r` | Reset to normal |

Use `\n` to start the second line. The list shows two lines, and long lines are cut off, so keep each line short. Example:

```
§6§lMy SMP §7| §aSurvival\n§eNew season now live!
```

### If the § sign shows up as strange characters

Some editors save the `§` sign in a way Minecraft reads wrongly, and the list shows `§` or broken text. In that case write `§` instead of every `§`, for example `§6§lMy SMP`. This always works in `server.properties`.

> **Tip:**
> Don't want to type codes by hand? Design your MOTD with a live preview in the [Endercloud MOTD creator](https://endercloud.in/motd) and paste the result into **Properties**.

Plugins such as MiniMOTD can show gradients, random messages or the player count. If a plugin controls the MOTD, the `motd` property is ignored, so edit the plugin's config instead.

## Change the server icon

1.  Make a square **PNG** image exactly **64 × 64 pixels**.
    
2.  Name it exactly `server-icon.png` (all lowercase).
    
3.  Open **Files** and upload it to the server's main folder, the same folder as `server.properties`.
    
4.  **Restart** the server and refresh your server list.
    

> **Tip:**
> Have a JPG or a bigger image? The [Endercloud server icon converter](https://endercloud.in/server-icon-converter) resizes it to 64 × 64 and gives you a ready `server-icon.png`.

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: The icon doesn't show**

Check that the file is a real PNG (not a renamed JPG), exactly 64 × 64, named `server-icon.png`, in the main folder and not inside `world` or `plugins`. Restart the server. Your Minecraft client may also cache the old icon until you refresh or restart the game.

**Q: Does this work on Bedrock?**

No. Bedrock servers show `server-name` from `server.properties` in the list and do not support a custom icon. Bedrock players joining through Geyser see Geyser's own MOTD settings.

**Q: Can I hide the player count or player names?**

Turn on `hide-online-players` in **Properties** to hide player names. Hiding the count needs a plugin.