How to change your Minecraft Java server version
Switch your Minecraft Java server to another version or server type, such as Paper, Vanilla, Forge or Fabric, from the Version page in your control panel.
2 min read · Updated Sep 24, 2026 · By GuavaHost Team
Overview
Changing your Minecraft server version is quick using the Version page in your control panel. It lets you switch between server software such as Paper, Vanilla, Forge, Fabric and more, and pick the Minecraft version you want.
It is important to choose the correct version for your server to keep it compatible with your plugins, mods and modpacks.
This guide shows you how to install or change your Minecraft server version in just a few clicks.
Step 1: Open the Version page
- Sign in at customer.guavahost.com, open My servers and click Manage on your server.
- Stop your server with the Stop button at the top of the page. The software buttons stay greyed out while the server is running, so the files are not replaced underneath it.
- In the server menu, under Minecraft tools, click Version.
The Server software card at the top shows what your server is running now, for example Paper and its version.
Step 2: Choose your server type
The Server software card lists the software you can install, grouped with the recommended options first. Click the one you want.
Common server types include:
- Paper
- Purpur
- Vanilla
- Forge
- Fabric
- NeoForge
- Spigot
Choose the type that best fits your server needs.
- Paper / Purpur are commonly used for performance and plugins
- Forge / Fabric / NeoForge are used for modded servers
- Vanilla is the standard Minecraft experience with no modifications
By default, servers come with the latest version of Paper installed.
Step 3: Select your Minecraft version
A window opens listing the Minecraft versions available for that software. Click the version you want to run, for example:
- 1.20.1
- 1.21
- 1.21.1
- 1.21.5
Make sure the version matches the mods, plugins or modpacks you plan to use. The panel installs the newest build available for that version.
Changing the Minecraft version can also mean changing Java. The panel moves your server up to a newer Java if the version you picked needs one. For the cases it does not cover, see Choosing a Java version. Take a backup on the Backups page before you switch, too: moving up to a newer version keeps your world, but moving a world back to an older version can damage it.
Step 4: Confirm and install
A confirmation window asks what to do with Your existing server files:
- Keep them (recommended): your world, settings and uploads stay where they are.
- Wipe server files: every file on the server is deleted before the new version is installed. This cannot be undone.
Click Install (or Delete files and install if you chose to wipe). You do not need to accept the Minecraft EULA yourself: the panel accepts it for you as part of the install.
When the card says Installed, start your server and watch the Console for the first boot.
Need more help?
If you're unsure which version to choose, or your server is having trouble starting after changing versions, please contact our support team and we'll be happy to help.
- minecraft
- java
- version
- paper
- forge
- fabric
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