Manual Minecraft Modpack Server Installation Guide

Overview

Minecraft mods can add small convenience features, new biomes, progression systems, quests, machines, magic, and occasionally a menu screen that takes longer to load than dinner. A modpack bundles many of those mods together so players can install one package instead of tracking every file by hand.

Most popular packs have a multiplayer server download, but not every version appears automatically in a server panel. If the pack you want is missing, or you need a specific release, you can install it manually by downloading the server pack, uploading it to your HolyHosting server files, and extracting it in the correct directory.

Before changing files, confirm the modpack's Minecraft version and mod loader. Forge, Fabric, Quilt, and NeoForge are not interchangeable. A Forge 1.20.1 pack needs a Forge 1.20.1 server, not Fabric 1.20.1 or Forge 1.19.2.

Download the Server Pack

A server pack is not always the same as the client pack. Server packs usually remove client-only mods, menus, shaders, and other files that do not belong on a multiplayer server. Whenever a server pack is available, use it.

CurseForge

1. Open the CurseForge modpacks page and search for the pack you want.
2. Select the modpack, then open the Files section.
3. Choose the exact version you plan to run and confirm it has a server pack listed.

1. On the file page, scroll to Additional Files and download the server pack.

1. Save the ZIP file somewhere easy to find, such as your desktop or downloads folder.

Technic

1. Go to the Technic website and choose Browse Modpacks.

1. Open the modpack you want to install.
2. Use the Server Download option on the modpack page.

1. Keep the downloaded archive available for the upload step.

ATLauncher

1. Install and open ATLauncher.
2. Go to the Packs tab and find the modpack.
3. Click Create Server, then complete the launcher prompts.

1. Open the Folders tab and select Open Folder for the server you just created.

1. Leave this folder open. Its contents are what you will upload later.

VoidLauncher

1. Open the VoidsWrath modpacks website and find the pack.
2. Scroll through the modpack page until you see the server pack download.
3. Click Download the Server Pack.

1. Move the ZIP file to a location you can access quickly.

If There Is No Server Pack

Some modpacks only provide a client install. In that case, install the pack locally first, then locate its mods and config folders. Those are the two folders most commonly needed on the server.

Create one ZIP file that contains both folders:

1. Open the installed modpack files on your computer.
2. Select the mods and config folders.
3. Right-click them and compress them into a ZIP file with 7-Zip, Windows compression, or another archive tool.
4. Keep the ZIP ready for upload.

This method is less ideal than using a proper server pack because client-only mods may still be included. If the server crashes after startup, those files are one of the first things to check.

Prepare the Server Files

A fresh server profile is strongly recommended for manual modpack installs. It keeps old worlds, mods, and configs away from the new setup, which prevents a lot of strange conflicts. Also plan to generate a new world unless you already know the existing world is compatible with the modpack.

1. Open your HolyHosting server panel and find the server profile or instance option in the panel sidebar.

1. Click the option to create a new profile.

1. Enter a name, description, and permanent subdirectory for the new profile.

1. Save the profile. The panel will activate it automatically.
2. Return to the main panel and pick the version that matches the modpack from your panel's version selector, such as Forge 1.20.1 or Fabric 1.21.

1. When prompted, generate a new world or choose the restart option that fits your setup.

A new profile should begin with an empty directory, which is exactly what you want before uploading a custom modpack.

Upload the Modpack Archive

1. From the main server panel, open your FTP file manager.

1. Log in with your panel password.
2. Drag the server pack ZIP into the main server directory. If you made your own archive from mods and config, upload that ZIP instead.

1. Wait until the upload completes. Large packs can take a while, and staring at the progress bar rarely makes it faster.

For very large files, use FileZilla or another FTP client instead of the browser uploader. Dedicated FTP clients are usually more stable for big modpack archives.

Extract and Start the Pack

1. In your FTP file manager, right-click the uploaded ZIP file.
2. Select Extract Here.

1. Wait until new folders and files appear in the server directory.
2. Return to the main panel and start the server.

If the pack was uploaded into a clean profile and the active server version matches the modpack loader and version, the server should begin loading the modded environment. First startup can take longer than usual because configs, worlds, and mod data may need to generate.

Optional World Setting Changes

Some modpacks require a specific level type or world generator. If the pack documentation mentions a custom level type, open the configuration files section of your panel, then go to the server settings. Update the Level Type field to the value required by the modpack.

After changing world generation settings, return to the main panel and use the change world option to create a new world. Changing the level type after a world already exists will not reliably rebuild that world with the correct terrain.

Common Problems

The web FTP uploader freezes or uploads slowly. Browser FTP works best for smaller files. If a large modpack ZIP stalls, upload it with FileZilla or another FTP program. This usually improves speed and reduces failed transfers.

The server crashes during startup. Check the server's Minecraft version and mod loader first. A Forge 1.12.2 pack needs Forge 1.12.2. If the version is correct, inspect the mods folder for client-only mods. Mods meant only for menus, rendering, shaders, minimaps, or client controls may crash a dedicated server and should be removed from the server files.

The server starts, but no mods load. Make sure the mod loader is installed as the active version in your panel. Then check the file layout. Mod JAR files must be directly inside the mods folder. If they are buried inside another folder, the server will not detect them. Move the JAR files into the correct location, restart the server, and test again.

Players cannot join after installing the pack. Confirm every player has the same modpack version installed on their computer. Client and server mod lists need to match closely, especially for content mods that add blocks, items, mobs, or dimensions.

Helpful Links

• How to connect with FTP
• How to install custom modpacks on your Minecraft client