--- title: "How to set up a Minecraft survival server from scratch | StreetHosting" description: "Step-by-step guide to setting up a Minecraft survival server: difficulty, land protection, essential plugins, spawn and basic rules for a healthy community." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- Minecraft · 3 min · Beginner Published on Jun 18, 2026 · Updated on Jun 18, 2026 # Minecraft survival server: complete setup from scratch Building a survival server takes more than clicking start. This guide covers the server.properties settings, the must-have plugins and the first tweaks that help you build a community that sticks around. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Minecraft plugins](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/plugins) [Community and game modes](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/community) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fminecraft-survival-server-setup.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fminecraft-survival-server-setup.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. 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"Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=How%20to%20set%20up%20a%20Minecraft%20survival%20server%20from%20scratch&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fminecraft-survival-server-setup "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fminecraft-survival-server-setup "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fminecraft-survival-server-setup "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=How%20to%20set%20up%20a%20Minecraft%20survival%20server%20from%20scratch%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fminecraft-survival-server-setup "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup.md) In this guide 6 sections * [server.properties settings](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#server-properties) * [Essential plugins for survival](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#plugins-essenciais) * [Land protection](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#protecao-terreno) * [Setting up the starting spawn](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#spawn-inicial) * [Automatic backups](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#backup) * [Rules and moderation](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#regras) Quick answer For a working **survival** server: set up **server.properties** with gamemode=survival and difficulty=normal, install EssentialsX, WorldGuard and LuckPerms, create a protected spawn region, turn on automatic backups and set clear rules before you open the server to players. ## server.properties settings[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#server-properties) The **server.properties** file lives in the root of the server and controls its core settings. For a survival server, adjust these lines: * `gamemode=survival`: survival mode * `difficulty=normal`: default difficulty (easy, normal, hard) * `force-gamemode=true`: forces every player into the configured mode * `max-players=20`: maximum number of simultaneous players * `spawn-protection=16`: protection radius around the spawn (in blocks) * `pvp=false`: start with PvP off and turn it on later if you need it Always save server.properties before restarting. The file is read when the server starts. ## Essential plugins for survival[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#plugins-essenciais) A healthy survival server needs at least these plugins before it opens: * EssentialsX: basic commands, homes, warps, kits and chat * LuckPerms: permissions and groups system * WorldGuard + WorldEdit: region protection and building tools * CoreProtect: logging and rollback of player actions * Vault: bridge between economy and permissions plugins See the full list of [most popular plugins](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/best-minecraft-plugins) to find out what makes sense for your server's style. ## Land protection[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#protecao-terreno) Griefing (destroying other players' work) is the main reason people quit survival servers. With WorldGuard, each player can protect their own land: 1. Install WorldGuard and WorldEdit on the server. 2. Set the area limit each player can protect (in square blocks). 3. Tell players to create regions with the WorldGuard golden shovel. 4. Admins can manage all regions from the console. To learn more, see the [complete WorldGuard setup guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/worldguard-minecraft-setup). Also install CoreProtect to track any action and roll back damage caused by griefing outside protected regions. ## Setting up the starting spawn[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#spawn-inicial) The spawn is your server's first impression. Put effort into a build that is simple but well organized, with: * A welcome sign with the IP and basic rules * Access to the starter kit (set it up with EssentialsX) * A clear exit to the survival world * Full block protection in the spawn area Use `/setspawn` from EssentialsX to define where players appear when they join or die. ## Automatic backups[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#backup) Turn backups on before you open the server to players. Losing a world that took dozens of hours to build is the main reason whole communities stop playing. Managed hosting like StreetHosting's includes automatic backups. Confirm that backups are active in the control panel before you announce the server. To learn how to set them up manually, see the guide on [backup and restore](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-server-backup). ## Rules and moderation[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#regras) Define the rules before you open the server. Clear rules reduce conflicts and make moderation easier. Common rules on survival servers: * No griefing or stealing outside open zones * Respect other players in chat * No cheats, hacks or mods that give an unfair advantage * Duels and PvP only in designated zones Post the rules on the server's Discord and on visible signs at spawn. To set up moderation through permission groups, see the [LuckPerms](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/luckperms-minecraft-setup) guide. In this guide * [server.properties settings](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#server-properties) * [Essential plugins for survival](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#plugins-essenciais) * [Land protection](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#protecao-terreno) * [Setting up the starting spawn](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#spawn-inicial) * [Automatic backups](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#backup) * [Rules and moderation](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-survival-server-setup#regras) ## Frequently asked questions Which game mode should I set for survival? In server.properties, use gamemode=survival. That puts every player into survival mode when they join. To stop players from switching modes on their own, set force-gamemode=true. What is the best difficulty for a survival server? Most Brazilian servers use normal difficulty (difficulty=normal in server.properties). Hard suits more competitive servers, where dying has real consequences. How do I prevent griefing on a survival server? Install WorldGuard for region protection and CoreProtect to log and roll back player actions. With CoreProtect you can find out who broke a block and undo the damage. Do I need a whitelist on a survival server? A whitelist is optional. Without one, anyone can join. If you want to control who gets in, enable the whitelist in server.properties with white-list=true and add players with /whitelist add PlayerName. Next step Minecraft plans Compare Minecraft hosting options in Brazil. [Minecraft plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft) [Create a Minecraft server Simple plans for beginners, with activation within 60 seconds, Anti-DDoS and support in Portuguese.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-facil) [See Minecraft Pro Managed hosting on Ryzen with modpacks, optimized Paper and technical support.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) ## Related guides [Minecraft Beginner How to create a Minecraft server from scratch (step by step) This guide lays out server creation in a logical order: picking the right resources, launching the jar, accepting the EULA, pointing a domain, setting up the world and inviting players safely. 6 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/how-to-create-a-minecraft-server) [Minecraft Beginner Best Minecraft plugins for Paper servers: a practical list to start right This guide lists the plugins that show up on almost every serious Paper server: permissions, utilities, economy, world editing, auditing and placeholders. The idea is not to install everything at once, but to know what each jar does before you clutter the server. 5 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/best-minecraft-plugins) [Minecraft Intermediate How to set up WorldGuard to protect regions in Minecraft WorldGuard is the classic defense against griefing. With WorldEdit to mark the area, you create protected regions, decide what can and cannot happen, and keep your spawn intact. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/worldguard-minecraft-setup) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)