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# Managing Minecraft Server Properties


# ⚙️ Minecraft `server.properties` File Explained (and How to Edit It)

[![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/85bc5985980c3800/helpdesk-cta_1gizt3y.png)](https://empowerservers.com/)
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## 🧠 What is `server.properties`?

The `server.properties` file is the main configuration file for your Minecraft server. It controls **core settings** like your server name, game mode, difficulty, world generation, and connection options.

Whenever you make changes here, you **must restart your server** for the changes to take effect.
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## 🛠️ How to Edit `server.properties`

1. **Log into the [Control Panel](https://gp.empowerservers.com).**

2. **Click 'Manage'** next to your server.

   ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/8/5/b/c/85bc5985980c3800/image_3h5v0r.png)

3. **Navigate to your server files.**

   ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/8/5/b/c/85bc5985980c3800/image_cvgzs8.png)

4. **Find and open the `server.properties` file.**

   ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/8/5/b/c/85bc5985980c3800/image_ukdnad.png)

5. **Edit the settings you want.**

6. **Press the 'Save File' button.**   ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/8/5/b/c/85bc5985980c3800/image_1hzxabk.png)

7. **Restart your server** to apply the changes.
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## 📋 Common Settings You Might Want to Change

| Setting | What it Does | Example |
| ---- |
| `motd` | Sets the server's message shown in the multiplayer list. | `motd=Amazing Survival Server` |
| `gamemode` | Sets the default gamemode (0=Survival, 1=Creative, 2=Adventure, 3=Spectator). | `gamemode=0` |
| `difficulty` | Controls game difficulty (peaceful, easy, normal, hard). | `difficulty=normal` |
| `allow-flight` | Allows flying if true (needed for mods or plugins). | `allow-flight=true` |
| `white-list` | If true, only players added to the whitelist can join. | `white-list=true` |
| `pvp` | Enable or disable Player vs Player combat. | `pvp=true` |
| `level-name` | The folder name of your world. | `level-name=world` |
| `max-players` | Sets the maximum number of players allowed. | `max-players=20` |
| `view-distance` | How much of the world is loaded around players. Higher values need more memory. | `view-distance=10` |
| `online-mode` | Whether players must be authenticated through Mojang. (Should be true unless using Geyser/Floodgate.) | `online-mode=true` |
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## 🌎 Important Notes

- **Always restart your server** after editing `server.properties`.
- **Make a backup** before making big changes — especially if you change world generation settings.
- Some settings (like `level-seed`) only take effect after **creating a new world**.