--- title: "How to update your Minecraft server version safely (Paper and plugins) | StreetHosting" description: "Step-by-step guide to upgrading a Paper Minecraft server: backup, plugin compatibility, staging test, maintenance window and rollback without losing your world." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- Minecraft · 5 min · Intermediate Published on Jun 11, 2026 · Updated on Aug 26, 2026 # Updating your Minecraft server version safely Upgrading on impulse, with no backup and no plugin check, is a recipe for a corrupted world and an angry community. This guide lays out the sequence Brazilian server operators use to migrate predictably. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Security and hardening](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/security) [Minecraft plugins](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/plugins) [Paper, Spigot and proxies](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/server-software) [Migration](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/migration) 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%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server.%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%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Claude") [](https://www.google.com/search?udm=50&aep=11&q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Google AI Mode") [](https://x.com/i/grok?text=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Grok") [](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=How%20to%20update%20your%20Minecraft%20server%20version%20safely%20%28Paper%20and%20plugins%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=How%20to%20update%20your%20Minecraft%20server%20version%20safely%20%28Paper%20and%20plugins%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fupdate-paper-minecraft-server "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server.md) In this guide 5 sections * [Preparation and inventory](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#preparacao-e-inventario) * [Backup and snapshot](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#backup-e-snapshot) * [Staging test](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#teste-em-staging) * [Execution and maintenance window](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#execucao-e-janela) * [Rollback and post-update](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#rollback-e-pos-update) Quick answer To **update the Minecraft version on a Paper server** safely, take a full backup of the world and the plugins, build a jar-by-jar compatibility list, test the boot on an isolated copy, announce the maintenance window on Discord and only then replace Paper in production. Keep the previous jar and an offline backup for a quick rollback if TPS or a critical plugin fails during the first peak. ## Preparation and inventory[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#preparacao-e-inventario) A new Minecraft version comes out, players ask for the new features and the temptation is to swap the jar right away. On a Paper server with dozens of plugins, that rush often ends in problematic chunks, an inconsistent economy or a boot loop that only shows up when thirty people try to join together. Updating your Minecraft server version safely means treating the migration as a project: a plugin inventory, a restorable backup, a test environment and clear communication on Discord. Before any download, confirm that your hosting supports the version line you want and that a recent snapshot exists. Also read [Minecraft server backup and restore](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-server-backup) and [Paper versus Spigot](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/paper-vs-spigot-minecraft) to set your performance expectations. | Item | What to record | Why | | --------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | | Paper jar | Exact build (e.g. 1.21.1 build 133) | Rollback and support need a precise number | | Plugins | Version + Vault/LP dependencies | Boot fails if the order or version is wrong | | Configs | paper-global, spigot.yml, bukkit.yml | New keys appear between versions | | World | Folder name and extra dimensions | Multiverse and datapacks need attention | Never update on a Friday night without staff on call: the first peak hour in Brazil exposes what a quiet test did not catch. ## Backup and snapshot[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#backup-e-snapshot) A control panel snapshot helps, but an offline backup is what is truly safe. Download the world, plugins, configs and the SQLite databases or MySQL dumps used by the economy and CoreProtect. Store them on a local disk or in object storage outside the same node. Running a practice restore once a quarter keeps you from discovering a corrupted file at the worst possible moment. * Stop the server gracefully before copying the world folder (avoids corruption). * Include plugins, config, recent logs and whitelist/ops. * Export the economy database if it is not only in YAML. * Keep the current Paper jar in an old/ folder with the date in the name. Managed hosting on [Minecraft Pro](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) usually makes swapping the jar and taking snapshots easier through the control panel. If you run a [Ryzen VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen), you follow a similar manual flow, with more control over Java and systemd. ## Staging test[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#teste-em-staging) Copy the entire server to a subfolder or a second instance. Replace Paper with the target build, update plugins one by one and watch the console during startup. Dependency errors show up here, not in the public announcement. Join with a test account and validate spawn, protected regions, shops, homes and moderation commands. ### Jar-by-jar compatibility * Prioritize infrastructure plugins: LuckPerms, Vault, PlaceholderAPI, WorldEdit, CoreProtect. * Postpone gameplay plugins until the core is stable; they break the visible experience if they fail. * Check Hangar, Modrinth or the official page; avoid third-party jar reuploads without a checksum. World generators and datapack converters across major versions may need external tools. Read Mojang's release notes before opening an old overworld on a much newer version. ## Execution and maintenance window[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#execucao-e-janela) Announce the date and time on Discord at least 48 hours ahead. Explain the benefit (new blocks, fixed bugs) and the risk (maintenance, a possible rollback). When the time comes, ping @everyone once, turn on a temporary whitelist if needed and stop the Java process with the stop command, not an abrupt kill. 1. Replace paper.jar and the updated plugins. 2. Review the newly generated configs and merge your custom tweaks. 3. Start the server and complete the first boot with no players. 4. Staff joins and runs through the critical gameplay checklist. 5. Remove the whitelist or open a queue depending on your confidence. Communities just starting out on [Minecraft Fácil](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-facil) can ask the support team for help with their first migration. Document what the staff did so you can repeat it on your own for the next version. ## Rollback and post-update[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#rollback-e-pos-update) If TPS plummets, the economy plugin disappears or chunks throw errors en masse, a rollback is a sign of maturity, not defeat. Restore the backup or swap back to the old jar, be transparent about it on Discord and reschedule the window after you fix the cause. Players forgive a delay; they rarely forgive a world wipe. ### Monitoring during the first 72 hours * Run spark or a timings report during peak hours in Brazil. * Watch tickets about items, permissions and localized lag. * Update secondary plugins that released a compatible build after launch day. Also review the [most used plugins](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/best-minecraft-plugins) to make sure your base stack is still aligned after the migration. Write down the exact old and new Paper builds in the staff's internal changelog. It speeds up diagnosis if you need to go back within 24 hours. Also keep the crash report from the boot that failed before you restore the backup. Running that file through crashdoc usually points to which plugin does not support the new version yet, which is what you need to solve before trying again. In this guide * [Preparation and inventory](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#preparacao-e-inventario) * [Backup and snapshot](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#backup-e-snapshot) * [Staging test](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#teste-em-staging) * [Execution and maintenance window](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#execucao-e-janela) * [Rollback and post-update](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server#rollback-e-pos-update) ## Frequently asked questions Do I need to update on release day? No. Healthy communities wait a few days for stable plugins and mature Paper builds. Launching on the hype without testing turns marketing into an incident. Do incompatible plugins break the world? An incompatible plugin usually prevents boot or disables a specific feature. A world rarely gets corrupted by the version alone, but new features without a backup and a badly done conversion raise the risk. Can I skip intermediate versions? On Paper, jumping several versions at once is possible but needs more testing. The conservative path: move up one minor version per window, validate, repeat. How long will the server be offline? With a backup and staging, one to three hours for a mid-size server. A network with a proxy and several backends can take longer if the update order matters. Next step See Minecraft Pro Managed hosting on Ryzen with modpacks, optimized Paper and technical support. [See Minecraft Pro](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) [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 Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) ## Related guides [Minecraft Intermediate How to read a Minecraft server crash report The server went down and left behind a huge file full of text. This guide shows where to look, how to separate the noise from the real cause and what to do with each type of error. 10 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/read-minecraft-crash-report) [Minecraft Intermediate Minecraft server backup: automatic, offsite, and tested A real backup has a schedule, retention, a copy off the server, and a tested restore. Here is how to build that routine in the hosting control panel, with plugins, or on a VPS, so you never lose the world when something goes wrong. 10 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-server-backup) [Minecraft Beginner Paper vs Spigot for a Minecraft server: the real differences in production Paper started as a fork of Spigot focused on lag fixes, security and extra tunables. In day-to-day operations in 2026, almost every server running Java plugins picks Paper. This article explains why, where Spigot still shows up and how to avoid marketing confusion. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/paper-vs-spigot-minecraft) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)