--- title: "How to install mods on your Minecraft server" url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/how-to-install-mods category: "Minecraft Hosting › Plugins, Mods & Modpacks" type: Guide tags: ["files", "minecraft", "mods"] keywords: "browse mods, manage mods, mod loader filter, versions tab, add mods, mod manager, mods folder, curseforge, modrinth, fabric api, client side mod, optifine crash, iris, sodium, invalid dist dedicated_server, server crash after adding mod, modded server, install mods, how to install mods, add mods to server, fabric mods, forge mods, neoforge mods, mods not loading, mod dependencies, client only mods, mod kaise dale" difficulty: beginner time: "10 minutes" updated: 2026-11-14 source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official) --- # How to install mods on your Minecraft server > Install Fabric, Forge or NeoForge in the Versions tab, then use Mods → Browse Mods (Modrinth or CurseForge) → Install, or upload .jar files to the mods folder. Players need the same mods. To run mods, your server must use a **mod loader** (Fabric, Forge or NeoForge). Then you can install mods from the **Mods** tab in one click, or upload mod `.jar` files to the `mods` folder. Every player must install the same mods on their own game too. ## Step 1: Pick the right loader Each mod is made for one loader (sometimes more) and one Minecraft version. A Fabric mod will not load on Forge, and a 1.20.1 mod will not load on 1.21. Before you add anything, decide which loader and version your mods need, and make sure your server matches. 1. In the [Game Panel](https://panel.endercloud.in), open your server and click **Versions**. It shows what is *Currently running* and the Minecraft version. 2. If you need a loader, click **Fabric**, **Forge** or **NeoForge** (Quilt is under Experimental), click the Minecraft version, then in the **Install** pop-up tick **Accept EULA** and click **Install**. Java is chosen for you. 3. Watch the **Console** until the install finishes, then click **Start** once so the server creates its `mods` folder. > **Warning:** > Make a backup in **Backups** before changing software. Ticking **Wipe Server Files** deletes everything, including your world. See [How to change your Minecraft version or server software](/docs/how-to-change-minecraft-version-or-server-software). ## Step 2 (easy way): Install from the Mods tab 1. Click **Mods** in the sidebar and stay on **Browse Mods**. 2. Choose a **Platform**: **Modrinth** or **CurseForge**. 3. Set **Mod Loader** to your loader (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt…) and **Version** to your Minecraft version, so only matching mods show. 4. Search for the mod. Click **Details** to check it supports servers, then **Install**. 5. Restart the server and check the **Console**. The **Manage Mods** tab shows the mods already in your `mods` folder, including ones you uploaded yourself. ## Step 2 (manual way): Upload mod files 1. Download the **server-compatible** `.jar` from the mod's official CurseForge or Modrinth page. Pick the file for your exact loader and Minecraft version. 2. Open **Files** and go into the `mods` folder. 3. Click **Upload** → **Upload Files** and pick the `.jar` files (or use SFTP for many files: [How to connect with SFTP](/docs/how-to-connect-to-your-server-with-sftp)). 4. Restart the server and check the **Console** for errors. ## Don't forget dependencies - **Fabric API:** almost every Fabric mod needs it. Put the Fabric API `.jar` (for your Minecraft version) in the `mods` folder on the server *and* on every player's game. - **Library mods:** many mods also need a library mod, for example a config or API library. The mod page lists "dependencies" or "required" mods. If one is missing, the server stops and the console names it. ## Remove client-only mods Some mods only change what you see on your own screen, so they are made for the game client, not for servers. Common examples are shader and graphics mods such as OptiFine, Iris and Oculus, and many HUD, zoom, menu and minimap-only mods. On a server they do nothing at best, and often stop it from starting. A Forge or NeoForge crash that mentions `invalid dist DEDICATED_SERVER` is a typical sign. To fix it, stop the server, delete the client-only mod from the `mods` folder and start again. Players can keep these mods on their own game. On Modrinth, a mod page shows whether it is needed on the client, the server or both. ## Players need the same mods Anyone joining a modded server needs the same loader, the same Minecraft version and the same content mods (same versions) installed in their launcher. The easiest way to share them is a modpack: see [How to install a modpack](/docs/how-to-install-a-modpack). If players get a "mod rejections" or missing mods message, see [Mod mismatch and missing mods errors](/docs/mod-mismatch-and-missing-mods-errors). ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Can I use mods and plugins together?** Not on the standard loaders. Fabric, Forge and NeoForge load mods only, and Paper loads plugins only. Pick the one that fits most of what you want. **Q: How much RAM do I need for mods?** Mods use far more memory than plugins. A few small mods run fine on smaller plans, but bigger mod lists need much more. See [How much RAM do I need?](/docs/how-much-ram-do-i-need-for-my-minecraft-server) **Q: My server crashes after adding a mod** Remove the last mod you added and start again. Then check that it matches your loader and version, that its dependencies are installed, and that it is not client-only. [How to read logs and crash reports](/docs/how-to-read-logs-and-crash-reports) shows where to find the reason. Still stuck? [Open a ticket](https://billing.endercloud.in/tickets/create) with your crash report and we'll help with the hosting side.