How to change your Minecraft server version (upgrade / downgrade safely) Print

This article explains the safest way to upgrade or downgrade your Minecraft server version on PlayNHost, and what you should back up before changing versions.

1. Before you change version – important notes

• Always back up your world first. Newer or older versions can corrupt a world if they are not compatible.
• Big version jumps are risky. For example, loading a 1.16 world directly on 1.20 may cause issues with some features or plugins.
• Modded servers are version-locked. If you use a specific modpack or Forge/Fabric profile, you usually need the exact same version on client and server.

If you are unsure whether your world or plugins will work on a specific version, make a backup and test on a copy first.

2. Back up your world and files

1. Go to https://panel.playnhost.com and log in.
2. Select your Minecraft server.
3. Click Stop and wait until the server is fully offline.
4. Open the File Manager.
5. Back up at least:
   • Your main world folder (for example world or the folder named in level-name).
   • Your plugins folder (if you use Spigot/Paper/Bukkit).
   • Any important config files you edited (for example server.properties, plugin configs).

You can either use the File Manager’s Compress option to create a .zip backup or download the folders to your PC using SFTP. Keep these backups safe before changing version.

3. Change version from the Game Panel (if available)

On many PlayNHost Minecraft setups, the server version is controlled from a startup/configuration page in the Game Panel.

6. With the server still Stopped, look for a page such as Startup, Configuration or Version in the Game Panel.
7. Find the field that controls the Minecraft version or Server type (for example: Paper 1.20.4, Spigot 1.19.4, Vanilla 1.20.1, etc.).
8. Select the new version you want from the list or change the value as instructed on that page.
9. Save or apply the changes.
10. Return to the server console and click Start.

Watch the console while the server starts. It should download or load the version you selected. If you see clear error messages or the server will not start, stop it again and double-check the version selection.

If you do not see any version selector in your panel: skip to step 5 and contact support – we can change the version for you.

4. Test your world on the new version

11. Once the server is online, join from a client using the same Minecraft version you just set on the server.
12. Check that:
    • Your world loads and spawns you correctly.
    • Plugins/mods load without errors (if you use a modded or plugin server).
    • There are no obvious issues (missing chunks, constant console errors).

If everything works, you’re done. If there are issues, you can restore your backups and go back to the previous version.

5. If you need us to change the version for you

If your panel does not show a version selector or you are not comfortable changing it yourself:

13. Make a backup of your world and configs as described in step 2.
14. Log in to the Client Area at https://playnhost.com/billing.
15. Go to Support → Submit a Ticket.
16. Open a ticket under your Minecraft service and tell us:
    • Your current version and server type (for example, Paper 1.20.4).
    • The exact version you want (for example, Paper 1.19.4).
    • Whether you are using any important plugins or modpacks we should be aware of.

Our team can then confirm what is possible on your plan and help migrate your server version safely.

6. Rolling back to your previous version

If the new version causes problems:

17. Stop the server.
18. Change the version back to your old one using the same method you used to upgrade (or ask support to switch it back).
19. Restore your backed-up world and config files by uploading them over the new ones.
20. Start the server and test again.

If you are unsure at any step, please open a ticket from Support → Submit a Ticket and include your server IP, the old version, the new version and what you are trying to achieve. We would rather help you early than fix a corrupted world later.