Learning from Others' Mistakes
Running a Minecraft server is rewarding, but there's definitely a learning curve. Here are the five most common mistakes we see—and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Enough RAM
The Problem: You chose the cheapest plan, and now your server lags whenever more than a few players are online.
Why It Happens: Minecraft's RAM requirements have increased significantly with recent updates. The game loads more chunks, entities, and data than ever before.
The Fix:
- Vanilla/Paper: 2GB for 1-5 players, 4GB for 10-20 players
- Modded/Forge: Start at 4GB minimum, 6-8GB for heavy modpacks
- When in doubt, go bigger—you can always downgrade
At HostedGG: Plans start at $2.49/month, so upgrading is affordable.
Mistake #2: Installing Too Many Plugins at Once
The Problem: You install 30 plugins on day one, and your server is unstable, slow, or constantly crashing.
Why It Happens: Plugins can conflict with each other, some are poorly coded, and many use significant resources.
The Fix:
- Start with essential plugins only (EssentialsX, LuckPerms)
- Add plugins one at a time
- Test thoroughly after each addition
- Monitor performance with Spark or Timings
- Remove plugins you don't actively use
Pro tip: Quality over quantity. A server with 5 well-configured plugins beats one with 50 conflicting ones.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Backups
The Problem: Something goes wrong—a griefer, a bad plugin, a corruption—and you lose everything.
Why It Happens: "It won't happen to me" syndrome. Then it does.
The Fix:
- Enable automatic backups (HostedGG does this by default)
- Create manual backups before major changes
- Test restoring from backup occasionally
- Keep local copies of important backups
At HostedGG: Automatic backups every 6 hours, 7 days retention, included free.
Mistake #4: Wrong Server Type
The Problem: You want plugins but chose Vanilla. Or you want mods but chose Paper.
Why It Happens: Confusion about the difference between server types.
Quick Reference:
| Want | Choose |
| Plugins (EssentialsX, etc.) | Paper or Spigot |
| Mods (Forge/Fabric mods) | Forge or Fabric |
| Pure vanilla experience | Vanilla |
| BungeeCord network | Requires separate proxy |
The Fix: Understand your needs before deployment. You can switch later, but it's easier to start right.
Mistake #5: Poor View Distance Settings
The Problem: Lag when exploring, or players complaining they can't see far enough.
Why It Happens: Default view distance (10) is often too high for busy servers or too low for exploration-focused ones.
The Fix:
- PvP/Minigames: 6-8 chunks
- Survival (large playerbase): 8-10 chunks
- Survival (small group): 10-12 chunks
- Singleplayer-like experience: 12-16 chunks (needs more RAM)
Also consider simulation distance, which affects mob spawning and redstone.
Bonus: The #1 Mistake
Not asking for help.
Every experienced admin was once a beginner. Our Discord community has hundreds of server owners ready to help with any question.
Ready to start your server the right way? Deploy now and avoid these pitfalls from day one.
