--- title: "Host a Paper Minecraft server on a root VPS: full manual guide | StreetHosting" description: "Java 21, Paper download, systemd, UFW firewall, EULA, initial tuning, and backups on a root Linux VPS in Brazil, for full control outside a managed panel." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- VPS · 5 min · Advanced Published on Jun 11, 2026 · Updated on Jun 11, 2026 # How to host a Paper Minecraft server on a root VPS A root VPS puts the Minecraft server in your hands: Java, jar, port, automatic restarts, and security. This manual guide covers the whole path from a clean Ubuntu install to Paper online in production in Brazil. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Linux administration](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/linux) [Paper, Spigot and proxies](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/server-software) [Deploying and running apps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/deploy) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fhost-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps.%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=Host%20a%20Paper%20Minecraft%20server%20on%20a%20root%20VPS%3A%20full%20manual%20guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fhost-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fhost-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fhost-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=Host%20a%20Paper%20Minecraft%20server%20on%20a%20root%20VPS%3A%20full%20manual%20guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fhost-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps.md) In this guide 5 sections * [Prepare the VPS and Java](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#preparar-vps-e-java) * [Install Paper and the EULA](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#instalar-paper-e-eula) * [systemd and restarts](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#systemd-e-reinicio) * [Firewall and exposure](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#firewall-e-exposicao) * [Tuning and daily operation](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#otimizacao-e-operacao) Quick answer To **host a Paper Minecraft server on a root VPS**, install Java 21 LTS, create a dedicated user, download a compatible Paper build, accept the EULA, configure **systemd** for automatic restarts, open port 25565 in UFW with SSH protected, and apply conservative JVM flags before you invite players. Test TPS with two or three clients at the same time during your Brazilian peak hours before you announce the public IP. ## Prepare the VPS and Java[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#preparar-vps-e-java) Hosting Paper Minecraft on a root VPS is the choice for people who need full control: the exact Java version, JVM flags, systemd, their own firewall, and several services on the same machine. The manual path takes discipline, but it gives you flexibility that a managed panel does not offer. This guide assumes a recent Ubuntu LTS, sudo access, and a VPS in a Brazilian data center for predictable latency. Before you open port 25565, harden SSH and configure UFW. Follow [secure SSH on a Linux VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/secure-ssh-linux-vps) and [UFW firewall on an Ubuntu VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ufw-firewall-ubuntu-vps). If you prefer simpler operation, compare [managed Minecraft Pro](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) with [Ryzen VPS for Minecraft](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ryzen-vps-for-minecraft). * Install OpenJDK 21: the LTS version that matches Minecraft 1.20.5+. * Create a `minecraft` user without an interactive login shell if you want maximum isolation. * Mount a disk with generous free space; the world and logs grow fast. Use tmux or screen only in the initial phase; production should rely on systemd with Restart=on-failure. ## Install Paper and the EULA[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#instalar-paper-e-eula) Download the Paper jar from the official API or the project website, never from a mirror without a checksum. Rename it to a predictable paper.jar and put it in a dedicated folder owned by minecraft. The first boot generates eula.txt: read the Mojang terms and set eula=true before restarting. Without it, the server stops immediately. * server.properties with server-port, motd, max-players, and a conservative view-distance. * paper-global.yml and spigot.yml reviewed after the first boot. * Ops and whitelist configured before opening the public IP. * Plugins only after a clean vanilla+Paper boot is stable. Never run a Minecraft server as root. A compromised process running as UID 0 hands the whole machine to the attacker. ## systemd and restarts[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#systemd-e-reinicio) A typical unit file sets WorkingDirectory, User, ExecStart with java and its flags, Restart=on-failure, and a raised LimitNOFILE for simultaneous connections. Keep the JVM flags in a separate file or variable so you can adjust Xms and Xmx without editing the whole unit. | Parameter | Starting suggestion | Note | | --------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | Xms / Xmx | 50% to 70% of the VPS RAM | Leave a margin for the OS and cache | | UseG1GC | Java 21 default | Avoid the old CMS flag zoo | | Restart | on-failure | Protects against an abrupt crash, not an endless crash loop | | User | minecraft | Never root in production | ### Logs and diagnostics journalctl -u minecraft -f follows the boot live. Combine it with latest.log in the server folder for plugin errors. Document the jar path and the world folder for your backup script. ## Firewall and exposure[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#firewall-e-exposicao) UFW should allow 22/tcp (ideally restricted to your IP), 25565/tcp for Java Edition, and deny everything else by default. If you use Velocity or a Bedrock proxy on the same VPS, open the extra ports explicitly, not a wide range. The provider's edge Anti-DDoS complements local rules; it does not replace them. 1. ufw default deny incoming 2. ufw allow OpenSSH (or a custom port) 3. ufw allow 25565/tcp 4. ufw enable, then test SSH in a second session before closing the current one For a gaming VPS in São Paulo with mitigation included, see the [StreetHosting Ryzen VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) and compare the [VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps) according to the RAM and vCPU you need. ## Tuning and daily operation[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#otimizacao-e-operacao) Moderate view-distance and simulation-distance are worth more than a miracle jar. Install spark early, monitor TPS at your Brazilian peak hour, and read [how to reduce lag on a Paper server](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/reduce-lag-paper-server). A scripted backup via cron that copies the world to external storage, or an offsite rsync, is mandatory; local NVMe does not protect against rm -rf or ransomware. ### Updates and plugins * Follow a staging flow when changing the Paper version or a critical plugin. * Check the guide on [updating your Minecraft version](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/update-paper-minecraft-server) before replacing the jar in production. * Configure swap only as a cushion; chronic dependence on swap kills TPS. Teams that do not want to maintain systemd, Java, and the firewall by hand usually move to [Minecraft Pro](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) after validating the project. A root VPS shines when there is a proxy, a bot, a web map, and an API on the same machine, a scenario described in [Ryzen VPS for Minecraft](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ryzen-vps-for-minecraft). Test an external join through the public IP (not localhost) before you announce it on Discord. NAT, a wrong firewall rule, and an incorrect bind-address all slip through a local test. In this guide * [Prepare the VPS and Java](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#preparar-vps-e-java) * [Install Paper and the EULA](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#instalar-paper-e-eula) * [systemd and restarts](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#systemd-e-reinicio) * [Firewall and exposure](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#firewall-e-exposicao) * [Tuning and daily operation](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/host-paper-minecraft-server-on-vps#otimizacao-e-operacao) ## Frequently asked questions How many GB of RAM should the VPS have? For a single server with ten to twenty players, start with four to eight GB of RAM on the VPS, including the OS and some headroom. Modpacks and dozens of plugins need more. Monitor real usage before scaling down. Ryzen or Xeon for Paper? Paper responds well to a CPU with a high clock speed per core. Ryzen is the usual choice for Minecraft; Xeon can suit mixed workloads. See Ryzen VPS vs Xeon VPS in the Guide Center. Do I need a panel like Pterodactyl? It is not required. systemd + journalctl are enough for an experienced operator. A panel helps larger teams or multiple instances. How do I update Paper later? Stop the service, back up the world, replace the jar, and start it again. Test that your plugins are compatible. Use the same staging flow recommended in the guide on updating your Minecraft version. Next step See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS. [See Ryzen VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See VPS plans Root VPS in Brazil with NVMe and Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps) [See Minecraft Pro Managed hosting on Ryzen with modpacks, optimized Paper and technical support.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) ## Related guides [VPS Intermediate How to secure SSH on a Linux VPS: keys, passwords, fail2ban SSH is usually the first target on any VPS with a public IP. This guide walks through a practical routine that cuts the risk without complicating your day: an ED25519 key, password-free login, admin access through sudo, blocking of automated attempts and a periodic review of authorized keys. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/secure-ssh-linux-vps) [VPS Beginner UFW on Ubuntu VPS: firewall rules without losing SSH UFW makes the Ubuntu firewall simpler, but one rule in the wrong order locks you out of your VPS. Learn how to enable it without losing SSH, open only what you need, deal with Docker, and get back in through the console if something goes wrong. 10 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ufw-firewall-ubuntu-vps) [VPS Intermediate Ryzen VPS for Minecraft: when it makes sense and how to size it A Ryzen VPS for Minecraft fits when you need full control of the system, multiple instances and integration with your own services. This guide shows when that choice pays off and how to run it predictably. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ryzen-vps-for-minecraft) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)