--- title: "Minecraft server won't start or crashes on startup" url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/minecraft-server-wont-start category: "Minecraft Hosting › Troubleshooting & Performance" type: Troubleshooting tags: ["crash", "java", "startup", "troubleshooting"] keywords: "server not starting, server stuck on starting, server crashes on start, server goes offline, unsupportedclassversionerror, has been compiled by a more recent version of the java runtime, you need to agree to the eula in order to run the server, unable to access jarfile, invalid or corrupt jarfile, no space left on device, attempted to load class net/minecraft/client, invalid dist dedicated_server, chunk saved with newer version, accept minecraft eula popup, you are not whitelisted on this server, server start nahi ho raha, server band ho jata hai, server won't start, minecraft server not starting, server crashes on startup, server stopped, server offline after start, server not turning on, disk full, server on nahi ho raha" difficulty: beginner time: "10 minutes" updated: 2026-11-14 source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official) --- # Minecraft server won't start or crashes on startup > A server that stops right after Start prints the reason in the Console. Usually it's a broken plugin or mod, the EULA, wrong Java after a manual change, or a full disk. If your Minecraft server goes offline a few seconds after you press **Start**, or never finishes loading, the reason is almost always written in the **Console**. Find that message first, then use the matching fix below. The causes are listed from most to least common. ## Step 1: Find the error message 1. Open your server in the Game Panel and go to **Console**. 2. Press **Start** and watch the output. When it stops, scroll up to the **first** line that says `ERROR`, `Exception` or `Caused by`. The first error is usually the real cause; later errors are often side effects. 3. If the text scrolls away too fast, open **Files** → `logs` → `latest.log`. If the server crashed, also look in the `crash-reports` folder. Our guide on [reading logs and crash reports](/docs/how-to-read-logs-and-crash-reports) explains what to look for. ## Wrong Java version You will see `java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError` or a line like *"has been compiled by a more recent version of the Java Runtime"*. When you install software from the **Versions** tab, the panel picks the correct Java for you (a fresh Paper 26.3 server runs on Java 25 automatically). So this error usually appears only after you **uploaded your own server jar** or **changed the Docker Image by hand** in **Startup**. Each Minecraft version needs a certain Java version: | Minecraft version | Java version | | --- | --- | | 1.16.5 and older (including old Forge packs) | Java 8 (some 1.16.5 servers also run on 11) | | 1.18 to 1.20.4 | Java 17 | | 1.20.5 to 1.21.x | Java 21 | | 26.1 and newer | Java 25 | The easiest fix is to reinstall your software and version from the **Versions** tab, which sets the right Java again. If you run a custom jar, stop the server, open **Startup** → **Docker Image**, pick the matching Java (the list goes from Java 8 to Java 25) and start again. Full steps: [How to change your server's Java version](/docs/how-to-change-your-minecraft-servers-java-version). ## EULA not accepted The first time you press **Start** on a new server, a popup called **Accept Minecraft® EULA** appears. Click **I ACCEPT** and the server boots. If you clicked **CANCEL**, the console says *"You need to agree to the EULA in order to run the server"*. Press **Start** again and accept, or open **Files**, edit `eula.txt`, change `eula=false` to `eula=true`, save and start the server. ## A plugin or mod is crashing the server The error or crash report names a plugin or mod, or shows a package name such as `com.someplugin`. Common cases: - **Outdated plugin or mod** that does not support your Minecraft version. Update it or remove it. - **Missing dependency**, for example a mod that needs a library mod such as Fabric API. The log usually says which one is missing. - **Client-only mod on the server**. Messages like `Attempted to load class net/minecraft/client/...` or `invalid dist DEDICATED_SERVER` mean a mod made only for players (minimaps, shaders, menus) is in the server's `mods` folder. Remove it from the server. - **Wrong type of add-on**: plugins only work on Paper, Purpur or Spigot; mods only work on Fabric, Forge or NeoForge. Not sure which file is guilty? Move half of your plugins or mods into a new folder such as `disabled` in **Files** and start the server. Keep halving until you find the one that crashes it. ## Disk is full Errors with *"No space left on device"*, or a server that cannot save, mean your disk is full. Check the Disk usage at the top of the panel. Delete old log files, unused worlds and old archives, or upgrade your plan for more NVMe space. ## Other common messages - `OutOfMemoryError`: see [OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space](/docs/outofmemoryerror-java-heap-space). - `FAILED TO BIND TO PORT`: see [Failed to bind to port](/docs/failed-to-bind-to-port). - `Unable to access jarfile` or `Invalid or corrupt jarfile`: the server jar is missing or damaged. Reinstall the same software and version from the **Versions** tab without ticking **Wipe Server Files**. If you uploaded or renamed the jar yourself, make sure the name matches the **SERVER JAR FILE** variable in the **Startup** tab. - *"Server attempted to load chunk saved with newer version of minecraft"*: the world was opened on a newer Minecraft version. Going back to an older version is not supported. Switch back to the newer version in **Versions**, or restore a backup from before the update in **Backups**. - `Exception in server tick loop`: see [Exception in server tick loop](/docs/exception-in-server-tick-loop). ## The server starts, but you can't join If the console shows `Done` but you are kicked with *"You are not whitelisted on this server"*, the server is fine. New servers have the whitelist turned on (`white-list=true`). Type `whitelist add YourName` in the **Console** or add yourself in the **Players** tab, then join again. See [Whitelist, OP and ban players](/docs/whitelist-op-and-ban-players). > **Tip:** > Before you change software, versions or delete files, make a backup in the **Backups** tab. It takes a minute and lets you undo any mistake. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: The console is empty and the Start button does nothing** Check the billing panel for an unpaid invoice, because suspended servers cannot start. Also check [our status page](https://uptime.endercloud.in). If both look fine, open a ticket. **Q: Will reinstalling the software delete my world?** Not if you leave **Wipe Server Files** unticked. Still, make a backup first, because changing software or version can change how your world and plugins load. Still stuck? [Open a ticket](https://billing.endercloud.in/tickets/create) with your server name and the error lines from `latest.log`.