---
title: "How to add a server resource pack and datapacks"
url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/resource-packs-and-datapacks
category: "Minecraft Hosting"
type: Guide
tags: ["minecraft", "properties", "resource packs"]
keywords: "server resource pack, texture pack, force resource pack, require-resource-pack, sha1, resource-pack-prompt, datapack install, data pack, reload datapacks, custom crafting, dropbox link, resource pack, add resource pack, resource pack link, resource pack not loading, server texture pack, datapacks, install datapack, data pack not working, sha-1"
difficulty: intermediate
time: "10 minutes"
updated: 2026-11-14
source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official)
---

# How to add a server resource pack and datapacks

> Put a direct download link in resource-pack (plus its SHA-1) in Properties to send a resource pack. Put datapack zips in world/datapacks and reload or restart.

A **resource pack** changes how the game looks and sounds for players (textures, models, music). A **datapack** changes how the game works on the server (recipes, loot, functions, world generation). They are installed in different ways.

## Server resource pack

The server does not host the pack. It sends players a download link, and their game downloads the pack when they join.

### 1\. Upload the pack somewhere with a direct link

-   The link must download the `.zip` file straight away, not open a web page. Test it in a private browser window: the file should download immediately.
    
-   Dropbox works if you change the end of the share link to `dl=1`. GitHub releases also work well. Google Drive and Mega share pages usually do **not** work.
    
-   The zip must have `pack.mcmeta` at the top level (not inside another folder) and be under 250 MB.
    

### 2\. Get the SHA-1 hash (recommended)

The hash lets the game check the file and notice when you update it. Run one of these on the zip:

```
Windows:  certutil -hashfile pack.zip SHA1
macOS:    shasum -a 1 pack.zip
Linux:    sha1sum pack.zip
```

Copy the 40-character code in lowercase, without spaces.

### 3\. Set it in Properties

| Setting | What to enter |
| --- | --- |
| `resource-pack` | The direct download link. |
| `resource-pack-sha1` | The SHA-1 hash from step 2. |
| `require-resource-pack` | `true` to disconnect players who decline the pack. `false` lets them play without it. |
| `resource-pack-prompt` | Optional message on the download screen, as a text component, for example `{"text":"This server needs its pack"}`. |

Click **SAVE** and restart the server. Players see a download prompt the next time they join.

> **Warning:**
> **Updated your pack?** Upload the new file and update `resource-pack-sha1` too. If the hash stays the same, players keep using the old cached copy.

Players who see nothing should check that **Server Resource Packs** is set to *Enabled* or *Prompt* in their saved server entry (**Multiplayer → Edit**).

## Datapacks

Datapacks work on Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Spigot and Fabric, and on Forge/NeoForge too. They live inside the world folder.

1.  Download the datapack as a `.zip` (do not extract it). Make sure it matches your Minecraft version.
    
2.  Open **Files** and go to `world/datapacks` (replace `world` with your `level-name` if different). Create the `datapacks` folder if it is missing.
    
3.  Upload the zip there.
    
4.  Restart the server, or run `reload` in the console. On Paper, Purpur and Spigot use `minecraft:reload`, because their own `reload` command reloads plugins and can cause problems.
    
5.  Check it loaded with `datapack list`.
    

> **Note:**
> Datapacks that change world generation (new biomes, structures or terrain) only affect chunks generated after you add them. For the best result, add them before creating the world, or reset the world. See [How to reset your world](/docs/how-to-reset-your-world-or-change-the-seed).

To turn a datapack off without deleting it, run `datapack disable "file/name.zip"` (use the exact name shown in `datapack list`).

## Bedrock servers

Bedrock does not use these settings. Bedrock resource and behaviour packs (add-ons) are installed inside the world folder instead. See the [Bedrock server guide](/docs/bedrock-server-guide).

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: Players get "Failed to download resource pack"**

The link is not a direct download, the file is too big, or the SHA-1 is wrong. Test the link in a private window, and recompute the hash from the exact file you uploaded.

**Q: Can I upload the resource pack to my Endercloud server and link it from there?**

Not by default: a Minecraft server cannot serve web downloads by itself. Some plugins can host the pack on an extra port (added with **Create Allocation** in the **Network** tab), but a file host with direct links is simpler and more reliable.

**Q: My datapack isn't in datapack list**

It is probably in the wrong folder, extracted one level too deep, or made for a different Minecraft version. Check the console after a restart for errors that mention the pack.