Help CenterServer Configuration › Change Version

Changing Your Server Version & Engine

Pexnode makes it easy to switch between Minecraft versions and server engines. Whether you want to update to the latest release or switch from Vanilla to Paper, it only takes a few clicks.

Available Server Engines

EngineBest ForPlugin/Mod Support
VanillaPure Minecraft experienceNone
PaperMost servers (recommended)Bukkit & Spigot plugins
PurpurExtra customizationBukkit & Spigot plugins + Purpur extras
ForgeModded MinecraftForge mods
FabricLightweight modsFabric mods

How to Change Your Engine

1Open the Engines Tab

Go to your server in panel.pexnode.com and click Engines in the sidebar.

2Select an Engine

Browse the available engines. Each card shows the engine name and description. Click Install on the one you want.

3Choose a Version

A dropdown will show all available versions for that engine. Select the Minecraft version you need (e.g., 1.21.5).

4Confirm & Install

Click Install. The panel will download the server jar and configure your server. This usually takes 10-30 seconds.

Warning: Switching engines will replace your server jar file. Your world data, plugins, and configs are preserved, but plugins from one engine type won’t work on another (e.g., Bukkit plugins won’t work on Forge).

Updating to a Newer Minecraft Version

To update your Minecraft version while keeping the same engine:

1Go to Engines

Open the Engines tab in your server panel.

2Re-select Your Engine

Click Install on your current engine (e.g., Paper).

3Pick the New Version

Select the newer version number from the dropdown.

4Install

Click Install. Your server will update to the new version.

Tip: Always create a backup before changing versions. Some version upgrades change world format and can’t be easily reversed.
Note: Bedrock Edition servers use a single engine and update through the Startup tab. The Engines page is Java-only.