Minecraft Java server properties

Last updated: July 23, 2026

The server.properties file is the main configuration file for a Minecraft Java Edition server. It controls gameplay, world generation, access, presentation, and performance.

Edit server.properties

Create a backup — Create a backup before changing several properties or an unfamiliar advanced setting.
Stop the server — Stop the server so it does not overwrite the file while you edit it.
Open the file — Log in to the NolimitHost Game Panel at https://panel.nolimithost.cc/ and select your Minecraft Java server. In the left sidebar, click File Manager and select server.properties in the main server directory.
Change one setting — Keep each property in name=value format without spaces around =.
```
difficulty=normal
```
Save and restart — Save the file, start the server, and check the console for an invalid value or configuration error. The server reads server.properties when it starts, so a restart is required for changes to take effect.

Warning: Do not change server-ip, server-port, query ports, or RCON settings unless NolimitHost instructs you to. The server must use its assigned network allocation, and RCON traffic is not encrypted.

Common gameplay properties

Property	Accepted value or purpose
`difficulty`	`peaceful`, `easy`, `normal`, or `hard`.
`gamemode`	`survival`, `creative`, `adventure`, or `spectator`.
`force-gamemode`	Forces the configured game mode when players join.
`hardcore`	Enables Hardcore behavior when set to `true`.
`allow-flight`	Allows Survival flight used by some mods or plugins.
`pvp`	Controls whether players can damage each other.
`spawn-protection`	Size of the protected area around world spawn.
`op-permission-level`	Controls the default command access granted to operators.

World and presentation properties

Property	Accepted value or purpose
`level-name`	Selects the active world folder.
`level-seed`	Sets the seed used when generating a new world.
`level-type`	World preset, such as `minecraft:normal` or `minecraft:flat`.
`generate-structures`	Controls structure generation in new chunks.
`motd`	Message displayed for the server in the multiplayer list.
`resource-pack`	Direct download URL for a Java resource pack.
`require-resource-pack`	Disconnects players who decline the server resource pack when `true`.

Player and performance properties

Property	Accepted value or purpose
`max-players`	Maximum simultaneous players.
`player-idle-timeout`	Idle minutes before removal; `0` disables the timeout.
`white-list`	Restricts access to `whitelist.json` when `true`.
`enforce-whitelist`	Removes players who are no longer listed after a whitelist reload.
`online-mode`	Verifies joining players with Minecraft account services. Keep enabled for public servers.
`view-distance`	Maximum chunk distance sent to players.
`simulation-distance`	Chunk distance in which entities and blocks continue updating.
`entity-broadcast-range-percentage`	Scales the range at which entities are sent to clients.
`max-tick-time`	Watchdog limit for a server tick, in milliseconds.

Note: Lower view, simulation, and entity broadcast distances can reduce server load, but they also reduce how far players can see or interact with active entities.

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