How to Switch a Minecraft Server from Vanilla to Paper

To switch a Minecraft server from vanilla to Paper, stop it, back up world/, replace server.jar with a Paper build for the same Minecraft version, and start it. Paper reads the vanilla world as it is, keeps server.properties, ops.json and whitelist.json, and adds a plugins folder. On Minecraft 26.1 and newer the world layout stays vanilla. Before 26.1, Paper moves the Nether and End into separate world_nether and world_the_end folders on first start.

What you can change on an existing world vs what needs a new world

Thing	Carries over to Paper?
The world: terrain, builds, chests	Yes, Paper loads the vanilla world folder
Player inventories, ender chests, advancements	Yes, they live in `world/playerdata` and `world/advancements`
Operators, whitelist, bans	Yes, the same JSON files
`server.properties`	Yes, Paper reads it like vanilla
Data packs in `world/datapacks`	Yes, Paper runs data packs
Fabric or Forge mods	No. Paper runs plugins, not mods
TNT duping, bedrock breaking and other exploits	Off by default on Paper. Can be turned back on
A newer world on an older Paper version	No. Use Paper for the same or a newer version

Keep the Minecraft version identical for the switch. Changing loader and version at the same time makes it hard to tell which one broke something.

What goes where

When Paper starts for the first time, it adds its own files next to the vanilla ones:

File or folder	What it is
`plugins/`	Where plugin `.jar` files go, each with its own config folder
`config/paper-global.yml`	Paper settings for the whole server
`config/paper-world-defaults.yml`	Paper settings for every world, overridable per world
`bukkit.yml`, `spigot.yml`	Settings inherited from Bukkit and Spigot, such as entity activation range
`world_nether/`, `world_the_end/`	Only before 26.1: the Nether and End, moved out of `world/`

Nothing in your existing world is deleted. On 26.1 and later, Paper uses the same layout as vanilla, with every dimension in world/dimensions/minecraft/ (PaperMC, 26.1).

A Minecraft survival base that keeps its world after switching server software

Step 1: Back up first

Stop the server with stop, then copy the whole folder. If anything goes wrong, you can put the vanilla jar back and restore this copy.

Step 2: Check your version and download Paper

Open the console log from the last start or run version to see the exact Minecraft version, for example 26.2. Download the Paper build for that version from papermc.io. As of October 2026, Paper 26.3 builds are still marked beta, while 26.2 has stable builds. If your vanilla server is on 26.3, either accept a beta build or wait for a stable one.

Step 3: Swap the jar

Delete or rename the vanilla server.jar and put the Paper jar in its place under the same name, or point your start script at the Paper file. Paper needs the same Java as vanilla: Java 25 for 26.x, Java 21 for 1.20.5 to 1.21.x.

Step 4: Start and check the world

Start the server and read the console. On versions before 26.1 you will see Paper migrate the Nether and End folders on the first start. Join, check your base, walk through a Nether portal and check the End if you have been there.

Step 5: Add plugins

Drop plugins into plugins/ and restart. Good first plugins are a permissions plugin, a claims plugin and a backup or map plugin. See how to install plugins on a Minecraft server and our list of the best Minecraft server plugins.

The gotcha: some vanilla mechanics behave differently

Paper keeps vanilla gameplay, but a few things players build around change by default:

Vanilla behaviour	Paper default	Setting to restore it
TNT, carpet and rail duplication	Off	`allow-piston-duplication: true`
Breaking bedrock and end portal frames	Off	`allow-permanent-block-break-exploits: true`
Headless pistons	Off	`allow-headless-pistons: true`
End portal sand duping	Off	`allow-unsafe-end-portal-teleportation: true`

All four sit under unsupported-settings in config/paper-global.yml. Paper's vanilla-like experience page lists them along with other differences. Paper marks them unsupported, so they can change between releases.

The other surprise is Spigot's entity activation range in spigot.yml. Mobs and villagers far from a player tick less often, which saves CPU but can slow some mob farms and villager breeders. Raise the ranges if a farm that worked on vanilla runs slowly. Change one thing at a time, restart, and test.

Before 26.1 there is a second trap: going back to vanilla. Vanilla only reads the Nether and End from inside world/, so a world that ran on Paper loads with an empty, freshly generated Nether and End until you move world_nether/DIM-1 back to world/DIM-1 and world_the_end/DIM1 back to world/DIM1.

Common problems

Nether or End looks brand new: before 26.1, the dimension folders were moved or copied the wrong way. Check world_nether/DIM-1 and world_the_end/DIM1 exist.
TNT duper or bedrock breaker stopped working: Paper disables these exploits. Turn on the matching unsupported-settings key.
Mob farm or iron farm is slower: entity activation range or a Paper limit. Adjust spigot.yml and test.
Server will not start after the swap: the Paper build is for a different Minecraft version than the world, or Java is too old.
Mods disappeared: Paper cannot run Fabric or Forge mods. Look for plugin versions, or see switching from Paper to Fabric if mods matter more.

Switching on GamezServers

On a Minecraft server from GamezServers, open Settings, find Server type and pick Paper. We back up your world first, then reinstall the server as Paper for your Minecraft version. Files stay on disk, so your world, ops and whitelist come along. Plugins can then go in through the file manager, which can also download a plugin jar from a link straight to the server.

FAQ

Will switching from vanilla to Paper reset my world?

No. Paper loads the vanilla world, inventories and advancements. Back up first in case you want to go back.

Can I switch back from Paper to vanilla?

Yes. On 26.1 and newer, swap the jar back. On older versions, move the Nether and End folders back into world/ first.

Does Paper change redstone?

Mostly no, but duplication exploits and bedrock breaking are off by default, and entity activation range can slow some farms.

Do players need to install anything for Paper?

No. Paper is server side only. Players join with a normal Minecraft client on the same version.