Hey guys! Want to dive into the awesome world of modded Minecraft with your friends? Aternos makes it super easy to set up your own server, and adding mods is simpler than you might think. Let's walk through the process step-by-step so you can get your modded server up and running in no time!

Getting Started with Aternos

First things first, head over to the Aternos website and create an account if you don't already have one. It's free, and the sign-up process is straightforward. Once you're logged in, you'll see a big button that says "Create." Click that, and you're on your way!

After clicking "Create," you'll be prompted to choose between the Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Make sure you select the Java Edition if you're planning to use mods, as most mods are designed for the Java version of Minecraft. Bedrock Edition has its own marketplace for add-ons, but those aren't the same as Java mods.

Once you've chosen Java Edition, you'll be taken to your server dashboard. Here, you'll see all the settings you can tweak to customize your server. Before we get to the mods, let's take a quick look at some of the essential settings.

• Software: This is where you choose the server software you want to run. For mods, you'll typically want to use either Forge or Fabric. These are mod loaders that allow you to install and manage mods easily.
• Options: Here, you can set the game mode (Survival, Creative, Adventure, etc.), difficulty, enable command blocks, and more. Customize these settings to match your desired gameplay experience.
• World: This section allows you to generate a new world, upload an existing world, or use a specific seed. If you have a favorite world you want to use, this is where you'd upload it.
• Players: Manage your server's player slots and add operators (admins) who can use commands.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's get to the exciting part: adding mods!

Installing Forge or Fabric

To use mods on your Aternos server, you need to install a mod loader. The two most popular options are Forge and Fabric. Forge is the older and more established mod loader, while Fabric is a newer, lightweight option that's gaining popularity. Both have their pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

Installing Forge:

1. Go to the "Software" section of your Aternos server dashboard.
2. In the software selection, choose "Forge."
3. Select the version of Forge that corresponds to the version of Minecraft you want to play. It's generally a good idea to choose the latest recommended version, as it's usually the most stable.
4. Aternos will automatically install Forge for you. This may take a few minutes, so be patient.

Installing Fabric:

1. Go to the "Software" section of your Aternos server dashboard.
2. In the software selection, choose "Fabric."
3. Select the version of Fabric that corresponds to the version of Minecraft you want to play. Again, the latest recommended version is usually the best choice.
4. Aternos will automatically install Fabric for you.

Once you've installed either Forge or Fabric, your server is ready to start adding mods.

Adding Mods to Your Aternos Server

Now comes the fun part: choosing and installing mods! Aternos makes this process relatively straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Finding Mods:

• CurseForge: This is one of the most popular websites for finding Minecraft mods. It has a vast library of mods for both Forge and Fabric, and you can easily filter mods by category, popularity, and Minecraft version.
• Modrinth: A newer mod repository that's gaining popularity, Modrinth offers a clean interface and a wide selection of mods. It's a great alternative to CurseForge.

When choosing mods, make sure they are compatible with the version of Forge or Fabric you installed. Also, pay attention to any dependencies. Some mods require other mods to function correctly, so you'll need to install those dependencies as well.

Installing Mods on Aternos:

1. Go to the "Mods" section of your Aternos server dashboard. This section will only appear after you have installed Forge or Fabric.
2. Use the search bar to find the mods you want to install. Aternos has a built-in mod browser that allows you to search for mods directly from CurseForge.
3. Click on the mod you want to install, and then click the "Install" button. Aternos will automatically download and install the mod for you.
4. Repeat this process for all the mods you want to add to your server.

Important Considerations:

• Compatibility: Ensure that all the mods you install are compatible with each other. Some mods may conflict and cause your server to crash. It's always a good idea to test your server with a small number of mods first before adding more.
• Server Performance: Adding too many mods can impact your server's performance. If you experience lag or crashes, try removing some of the more resource-intensive mods.
• Client-Side Mods: Some mods are client-side only, meaning they only need to be installed on the client (your Minecraft game) and not on the server. These mods typically affect the game's visuals or user interface. Make sure you only install server-side mods on your Aternos server.

Configuring Your Mods

Many mods come with configuration files that allow you to customize their behavior. These configuration files are usually located in the config folder of your Minecraft installation. To access these files on your Aternos server, you'll need to use the file manager.

1. Go to the "Files" section of your Aternos server dashboard.
2. Navigate to the config folder.
3. Find the configuration file for the mod you want to configure. These files usually have a .cfg extension.
4. Click on the file to open it in the text editor. You can then modify the settings as desired.
5. Save the changes and restart your server for the new settings to take effect.

Common Configuration Options:

• Changing Item IDs: Some mods may use the same item IDs, causing conflicts. You can use the configuration files to change the item IDs to resolve these conflicts.
• Disabling Features: If you don't like a particular feature of a mod, you can usually disable it in the configuration file.
• Adjusting Difficulty: Some mods add new challenges or difficulty levels to the game. You can adjust these settings in the configuration files to tailor the experience to your liking.

Starting Your Modded Server

Once you've installed your mods and configured them to your liking, it's time to start your server! Simply click the "Start" button on your Aternos server dashboard.

Aternos will start your server, which may take a few minutes depending on the number of mods you've installed. Once the server is running, you'll see the server address and port number on the dashboard. Share this information with your friends so they can join your server.

Connecting to Your Server:

1. Open Minecraft and go to the "Multiplayer" section.
2. Click "Add Server."
3. Enter the server address and port number provided by Aternos.
4. Click "Done." Your server will now appear in the server list.
5. Select your server and click "Join Server."

Troubleshooting Connection Issues:

• Firewall: Make sure your firewall isn't blocking Minecraft or Java.
• Incorrect Address: Double-check that you've entered the server address and port number correctly.
• Server Not Running: Ensure that your Aternos server is actually running before attempting to connect.
• Mod Mismatch: Make sure you have the same mods installed on your client as on the server, and that they are the correct versions.

Keeping Your Server Updated

It's essential to keep your server updated with the latest versions of Minecraft, Forge/Fabric, and your mods. This will ensure that your server is secure, stable, and compatible with the latest features.

Updating Minecraft:

• Go to the "Software" section of your Aternos server dashboard.
• Select the desired Minecraft version from the dropdown menu.
• Aternos will automatically update your server to the selected version.

Updating Forge/Fabric:

• Follow the same steps as updating Minecraft, but choose the corresponding Forge/Fabric version.

Updating Mods:

• Go to the "Mods" section of your Aternos server dashboard.
• Aternos will show you which mods have updates available. Click the "Update" button to update each mod.

Important Considerations:

• Backups: Before updating anything, it's always a good idea to create a backup of your server. This will allow you to revert to the previous version if something goes wrong.
• Compatibility: Make sure that the new versions of Minecraft, Forge/Fabric, and your mods are compatible with each other.

Conclusion

Creating a modded Minecraft server with Aternos is a fantastic way to enhance your gameplay experience and share it with your friends. By following these steps, you can easily set up your server, install mods, configure them to your liking, and keep everything updated. So gather your friends, choose your favorite mods, and get ready for endless hours of fun in your very own modded Minecraft world!