How to Install Simple Voice Chat on a Minecraft Server

To install Simple Voice Chat on a Minecraft server, put the voice chat .jar in plugins (Paper, Purpur) or mods (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge), start the server once, then set port in plugins/voicechat/voicechat-server.properties (or config/voicechat/voicechat-server.properties on modded). Voice uses UDP, default 24454, separate from the game's TCP port, so that UDP port must be open. If your host gives you only one port, set port=-1. Every player installs the client mod for the same Minecraft version.

What you are working with

Vanilla servers cannot run it, since they load neither plugins nor mods. Switch to Paper first; your world comes with you. Download only from the project's own pages on Modrinth or CurseForge, and pick the build that matches your server's Minecraft version and loader.

Step 1: Install it on the server

1. Stop the server and take a backup.
2. Upload the correct jar: the Bukkit/Paper build into plugins/, or the loader build into mods/. On Fabric, also add Fabric API if it is not there yet.
3. Start the server once so it creates its config, then stop it again.

The config ends up in one of two places:

Step 2: Set the voice port (the step everyone misses)

Minecraft talks over TCP on its game port, usually 25565. Simple Voice Chat sends audio over UDP on a port of its own, 24454 by default. Opening or forwarding only the Minecraft port is the reason most servers end up with voice installed but nobody connected. The developer's server config reference documents every key.

Open voicechat-server.properties and pick one of these:

The -1 option has one catch. Minecraft's own query feature (enable-query=true) also listens on UDP, by default on the game port, and the developer warns the two clash. Query is off by default, so most servers are fine. If you turned it on for a server list, either turn it off or move it with query.port.

Leave bind_address empty and leave voice_host alone. voice_host is only for setups where players must reach voice on a different address or port than the game, such as a proxy, and a wrong value there breaks voice for everyone.

port=-1
bind_address=
voice_host=
max_voice_distance=48.0

Save the file and start the server. The console should log that the voice chat server started on your port.

Step 3: Install the client mod

Every player who wants to talk needs Simple Voice Chat on their own game, even when the server runs the plugin:

1. Install a mod loader for the server's Minecraft version: Fabric, NeoForge, Forge or Quilt. On Fabric, add Fabric API too.
2. Put the Simple Voice Chat client jar for that loader and version in .minecraft/mods.
3. Join the server. A small microphone or speaker icon appears when voice connects. Press V to open the voice chat settings and pick your microphone and output device.

Players without the mod can still join and play. They just cannot hear or be heard.

Step 4: Test it

Run /voicechat test <player> while that player is online. It checks whether the voice connection to them works. You cannot check a UDP port with a normal online port checker, because UDP only answers when the program behind it does, so use the in game test instead.

Common problems

• Plug icon, "Voice chat not connected": the UDP port is not reachable. Check the port in the config matches the one that is actually open, for UDP and not just TCP. On a single port host, use port=-1.
• Server crashes on start with "failed to bind" or "address already in use": another program, or query, already uses that UDP port. Pick another number or turn query off.
• No icon at all for one player: they do not have the client mod, or it is for a different Minecraft version or loader than they launched.
• Works for some players, not others: usually DDoS filtering or a strict network on their side blocking UDP. Ask them to try another network to confirm.
• Can hear but cannot be heard: wrong input device or permissions. On macOS the game needs microphone access in system privacy settings.
• Voice broke after a Minecraft update: server and clients need the voice chat build for the new version. Update both together.

Running it on GamezServers

A Minecraft server from GamezServers runs Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge or NeoForge, so upload the matching jar in the Files tab or over SFTP and edit voicechat-server.properties right in the browser. Every server comes with a spare port for voice chat: the control panel lists it under your address as Extra ports (your game port plus one). Put that number in port= and restart. Click Backup before adding plugins, and see how to install plugins on a Minecraft server for the basics.

FAQ

What port does Simple Voice Chat use?

UDP 24454 by default, set with port in voicechat-server.properties. It is separate from Minecraft's TCP game port, which is why it needs opening on its own.

Do players need to install Simple Voice Chat to join?

No, they can join without it. They need the client mod, on a mod loader for the same Minecraft version, only to use voice.

Does Simple Voice Chat work on Paper?

Yes. Use the Bukkit/Paper plugin build in the plugins folder. Players still use the client mod on Fabric, NeoForge, Forge or Quilt.

Can Simple Voice Chat use the same port as Minecraft?

Yes, set port=-1 and it uses the game's port number over UDP. Keep enable-query off, because query also uses UDP on that port.