Which server software runs plugins, where to download them safely, how to install and configure them, why /reload is a bad idea, and how to fix load errors.
Plugins are how most servers get homes, economy, land claims, ranks and minigames, all without players installing anything. Installing one only takes a minute, as long as your server can run plugins in the first place.
In this guide, we will cover which server software supports plugins, where to download them safely, how to install and configure them, why you should restart instead of using /reload, and how to fix the most common errors.
By the end of this guide, you will know how to add any plugin to your server and what to do when one refuses to load.
Check Your Server Software First
Plugins only run on Bukkit-based server software. Vanilla, Fabric and Forge cannot load them at all.
| Software | Plugins? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Paper | Yes | Runs Bukkit, Spigot and Paper plugins. The best choice for most servers. |
 Purpur | Yes | A drop-in replacement for Paper, so Paper plugins work too. |
 Spigot | Yes | Bukkit and Spigot plugins. Plugins made only for Paper won't load. |
 Folia | Limited | Only plugins built for Folia. Most normal plugins don't work. |
 Velocity | Proxy plugins | Takes Velocity plugins only. Server plugins go on the backend servers. |
 Vanilla | No | Switch to Paper to use plugins. |
 Fabric,  Forge,  NeoForge | No | These use mods. Many popular plugins also have mod versions, like LuckPerms and Chunky. |
 Bedrock Dedicated Server | No | Uses add-ons. PocketMine-MP and PowerNukkitX have their own plugin systems. |
If you are on vanilla, switch to Paper first. On EternalZero, the Versions Changer does that in one click. Take a backup before you switch. Not sure which software fits? Read Vanilla, Paper, Fabric or Forge: Which Should You Choose?
Note: Since Paper split from Spigot in late 2024, most Spigot plugins still run on Paper, but plugins written only for Paper's API won't run on Spigot. That is one more reason to pick Paper or Purpur.
Where to Download Plugins Safely
Paper's docs warn that plugins get "full and unrestricted access" to your server and the machine it runs on, so only download from places you trust (source: Paper docs):
- Hangar: PaperMC's own plugin site, and the first place Paper recommends.
- Modrinth: clean pages that list supported versions and server software.
- SpigotMC: the Spigot project's resource site, home to many long-running plugins.
- BukkitDev: older plugins, many still updated.
- GitHub: many developers publish releases there.
Skip "leaked" premium plugins and random download links. Our server protection guide explains why.
Before you download, check three things on the plugin page: the Minecraft versions it supports, the server software it supports and when it was last updated.
How to Install a Plugin
- Download the plugin. The file must end in
.jar. If you got a.zip, extract it and find the jar inside, often labelled Bukkit or Paper. - Stop your server.
- Upload the jar into the
pluginsfolder in your server's main directory. Don't put it in a subfolder, because the server does not look inside them. - Start the server.
- Run
/pluginsin game, orpluginsin the console. Your new plugin should be listed in green. Red means it failed to enable.
On EternalZero, you can upload jars with the Files Manager or SFTP. Even easier, the Mods and Plugins page lets you search Modrinth and CurseForge and install a plugin in one click.
Restart, Don't Use /reload
It is tempting to type /reload instead of restarting. Don't. Paper's docs say the command is "deprecated for removal" and "known for causing issues with plugins", and recommend restarting instead (source: Paper docs).
Plugins keep data, scheduled tasks and connections while they run. A reload loads fresh copies while parts of the old ones can stay in memory, which leads to memory leaks, duplicated tasks and strange bugs that only go away after a real restart.
Many plugins have their own reload command for config changes, such as /lp reloadconfig for LuckPerms. Those are fine, because the plugin was built to handle them.
Configure the Plugin
On first start, most plugins create a folder like plugins/PluginName/ with a config.yml inside. That is where you change messages, limits and features.
- Config files are YAML. Use spaces, never tabs, and keep the indentation exactly as it was.
- One wrong space can stop a plugin from reading its config. Check the console after every change.
- Apply changes with the plugin's own reload command, or restart.
Some plugins, such as LuckPerms and CoreProtect, can store data in MySQL instead of local files. Create a database in your host's panel, then paste the login details into the plugin's config.
Dependencies
Some plugins need other plugins to work. Common examples are Vault, PlaceholderAPI and ProtocolLib. The plugin page lists them, usually under "Dependencies" or "Requirements".
If one is missing, the log tells you. Look for the line about "Unknown/missing dependency plugins", which names exactly what to install. Optional dependencies (soft depends) only add extra features, so the plugin still loads without them.
Version Compatibility
- Minecraft version: the plugin must support your server's version. Plugins that hook deep into the game, like anticheats and disguise plugins, often break after each Minecraft update until they are updated.
- Java version: Minecraft 26.1 and newer need Java 25. A plugin built for a newer Java than your server runs fails with
UnsupportedClassVersionError. Our Java version guide has the full list. - Server software: check that the page lists Paper, Purpur or Spigot, matching what you run.
Troubleshooting from the Console Log
When a plugin does not load, open logs/latest.log and look near the top, where plugins load. Read the first one or two lines of the error. They usually tell you everything.
| What you see | Usual cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown/missing dependency plugins | A required plugin is not installed | Install the plugin it names |
| Invalid plugin.yml | It is a Fabric or Forge mod, or the download was an error page | Get the Bukkit or Paper version and download it again |
| Ambiguous plugin name | Two copies of the same plugin | Delete the older jar |
UnsupportedClassVersionError | Plugin needs a newer Java | Update Java, or use an older plugin version |
Plugin is red in /plugins | It loaded but failed to enable | Read the error right after "Enabling" for that plugin |
| Nothing in the log at all | Jar is in a subfolder or still zipped | Move the .jar into plugins |
Most of these come from Paper's plugin troubleshooting docs. If you are still stuck, search the exact error together with the plugin name, or ask on the plugin's Discord or issue tracker with your full log.
Conclusion
Installing plugins is simple once your server runs Paper or Purpur: download from a trusted site, drop the jar into the plugins folder, restart and check /plugins.
Start with a few plugins you really need and add more over time. Our essential plugins guide is a good place to begin.