# Update the Minecraft Server to the latest version

Learn how to update the version of Minecraft Server running on your Linux server, without losing any data or overwriting your world file. When Mojang issues a Minecraft update, Minecraft server administrators need to manually update the version of Minecraft running on their servers.

## Requirements

- A Cloud Server running Linux (Ubuntu 16.04)
- [Minecraft Server](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/setting-up-a-minecraft-server-with-a-dedicated-server/) installed and running

## Create backups and download the new version

Before upgrading your Minecraft server, go to the Minecraft directory on your server:

```none
cd /minecraft
```

Back up your world file with the command:

```none
sudo cp -r world world-backup
```

Next, create a backup copy of your working minecraft\_server.jar file:

```none
sudo cp minecraft_server.jar minecraft_server.jar-backup
```

Go to the [Minecraft server download page](https://minecraft.net/en/download/server "Minecraft server download page") to get the URL for the new version. Download this version to your server with the command:

```none
sudo wget [URL]
```

For example, the command to download the most current version (1.11.1) is:

```none
sudo wget https://s3.amazonaws.com/Minecraft.Download/versions/1.11.1/minecraft_server.1.11.1.jar
```

## Stop the Minecraft Server and upgrade

To stop the Minecraft server, attach to the screen session:

```none
screen -r
```

Then stop the server with CTRL + C.

Swap in the new software version with the command:

```none
sudo mv minecraft_server.1.11.1.jar minecraft_server.jar
```

## Restart the Minecraft Server

Begin a new **screen** session with the command:

```none
screen -r
```

Then start the Minecraft server with the command:

```none
java -Xms1G -Xmx1G -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
```

Use CTRL + A, CTRL + D to detach from this session.

---

### Tip

Minecraft is one of the most popular games in the world right now. We’ve got a list of Minecraft servers to help you find the [best servers for Minecraft](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/servers-of-minecraft/ "Servers of Minecraft") for your gameplay style.

---


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/update-the-minecraft-server-to-the-latest-version/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/update-the-minecraft-server-to-the-latest-version/) for AI/LLM consumption.