How to Change the Server Version Without Losing Data

⚠️ Before you start: make a backup

This is the most important step. Before changing any version, create a full server backup. If something goes wrong, you can return to the previous state in seconds. Read our article "Backups: How to Create and Restore" if you don't know how.

🔍 1. Check compatibility

Before updating, answer these questions:

• Do all my plugins/mods have a version compatible with the new Minecraft version?
• If I change server type (e.g. from Forge to Paper), will the current plugins still work? (Spoiler: Forge mods do NOT work on Paper).
• Is the current world compatible with the new version? (Big Minecraft updates add new biomes/blocks that only appear in unexplored chunks).

⚙️ 2. Change the version in the panel

In the ZentexNode panel, go to the Startup tab. You'll see variables like MINECRAFT_VERSION or SERVER_JARFILE depending on your server type.

Change the value to the version you want (e.g. 1.21.4) and click Save. The next time you start the server, it will automatically download the new jar.

🔄 3. Start and watch the console

Start the server and pay attention to the console. The server will download the new jar (may take a couple of minutes). Once downloaded, it will start. Watch for messages:

• Plugins giving incompatibility errors — you'll need to update or remove them.
• Warnings about the world format — generally normal.
• If the server won't start, the console error tells you exactly what's failing.

📦 4. Update the plugins/mods

After changing version, update all plugins to their compatible version. Go to the file manager, open /plugins and replace the .jar files one by one. If a plugin no longer has a version for the new Minecraft version, you'll have to find an alternative or remove it.

🌍 5. The world after updating

The existing world is kept. Areas you already explored stay as they were (they don't regenerate). New areas you explore will have the blocks and biomes of the new version. If you want a completely new world, delete the world folder (and world_nether, world_the_end) before starting — the server will generate a new one.

💡 Changing server type (e.g. Paper to Forge)

If you change the server type, not just the version, you'll also need to change the software type in the Startup tab. Keep in mind that Paper plugins don't work on Forge and vice versa. It's advisable to start with a clean new server if you radically change the type.