Surge Host

SURGE HOST HELP CENTER

Answers to get you playing.

Practical guides for your Minecraft server, account, and billing. Find the step you need and get back to your world.

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GETTING STARTED

Connect to your Minecraft server

Find your friendly join address and get into your server.

  1. Sign in to the Portal and open Servers. Choose your Minecraft server.
  2. Open Connection. Wait until the DNS indicator is active, then copy the Join address.
  3. Open Minecraft Java Edition, choose Multiplayer, then Add Server or Direct Connection.
  4. Paste the Join address and connect. Use the Minecraft game version compatible with your server.

You do not need an infrastructure IP address or an exposed port. If the address is still pending, check the Connection tab and try again later.

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GETTING STARTED

Set up a new server

A simple checklist for your first world.

  1. Choose an available plan and region, create your account, and verify your email.
  2. During checkout, select an available Minecraft hostname.
  3. After payment is confirmed and provisioning completes, open Servers and select your new server.
  4. Use Overview to see its health and start it if it is stopped; use Connection to copy your address.
  5. Configure your preferred Minecraft software and settings before inviting friends.

Your server may take a little time to install and start after payment is confirmed.

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SERVER MANAGEMENT

Choose Minecraft software and version

Pick Paper, Purpur, Vanilla, Fabric, Forge, or NeoForge.

  1. Open Servers, select your server, and go to Software.
  2. Stop your Minecraft server before changing software or version.
  3. Select the software and available Minecraft release you want to run.
  4. Review the compatibility warning and backup options if available.
  5. Apply the change, then start the server and check Console for startup errors.

Paper/Purpur are commonly used for plugins; Fabric/Forge/NeoForge are for modded setups. Mods, plugins, and worlds are not always compatible across versions.

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MODS AND PLUGINS

Install a modpack

Browse Modrinth and supported Feed The Beast packs.

  1. Open the server's Modpacks tab.
  2. Choose a catalog and search for the modpack you want.
  3. Select the pack and an available release. Check its Minecraft version, loader, and RAM guidance.
  4. Stop the server, confirm the installation, and create a safety backup if that option is available.
  5. Start the server. Watch Console while the required files are installed and loaded.

Large modpacks may need more RAM than the plan provides. A server-side modpack may also require compatible mods in each player's Minecraft client.

Manage server software
MODS AND PLUGINS

Upload and manage plugins

Install a compatible plugin JAR and manage it from the panel.

  1. Use Paper or Purpur with a Minecraft version supported by your plugin.
  2. Download the plugin JAR from its publisher and check that it is compatible.
  3. Stop the server and open Plugins in your control panel.
  4. Use Upload plugin to select your JAR, or manage an existing plugin.
  5. Start your server and check Console for errors or additional configuration steps.

Only install plugins you trust. Plugin JARs execute server-side code and may require specific dependencies.

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FILES AND WORLDS

Import a Minecraft world from a ZIP

Upload a world archive and safely extract it into a new folder.

  1. Stop your server and open the Files tab.
  2. Select Upload file and choose your world ZIP. The file manager supports uploads up to 2 GB per file.
  3. Once the ZIP appears in Files, choose Extract ZIP.
  4. Choose a new destination folder name. Extraction rejects unsafe files and checks available storage.
  5. Wait for the import to finish, then open the extracted folder and verify the world files.
  6. To activate the imported world, ensure Minecraft's level-name in server.properties matches the intended world directory. Keep the server stopped while editing configuration.

Extraction never automatically overwrites the active world. A ZIP that already contains a parent folder can produce an extra directory level; check where level.dat is located before starting the server.

Open file manager
FILES AND WORLDS

Manage, upload, and download files

Browse configuration, upload large files, and download originals.

  1. Open Servers, choose a server, then open Files.
  2. Browse directories and download individual files even while the server is running.
  3. To upload, rename, or delete files, stop the server first.
  4. Use Upload file to send a file up to 2 GB. A progress indicator shows the transfer.
  5. For ZIP archives, use Extract ZIP when you want to unpack them into a new folder.

Large downloads stream to your browser. Your browser manages the download; files must remain within the storage and access rules of your plan.

Open my files
ACCOUNTS AND SECURITY

Give a friend access to your server

Delegate specific controls without sharing your password.

  1. Ask your friend to create and verify their own Surge Host account.
  2. Open your server and go to Access.
  3. Enter their account email and choose a role or custom permissions.
  4. Grant only the controls they need, such as power, console, player management, or files.
  5. Save. Your friend can see shared servers alongside any servers they own.
  6. You can change or remove their access from the same Access tab.

Sharing server access does not transfer ownership, billing, or other servers.

Manage shared access
ACCOUNTS AND SECURITY

Set up or recover two-factor authentication

Use an authenticator, email codes, and single-use recovery codes.

  1. Open Account → Security and choose Set up authenticator or Enable email codes.
  2. You may keep authenticator and email verification enabled together.
  3. Save any recovery codes in a secure place. Each code works once.
  4. At sign-in, use the authenticator or request an email code; recovery codes are a last resort.
  5. If you replace your phone, use Replace authenticator in Account Security and verify using an existing method.

An authenticator is stronger than email-only verification and is required for administrator accounts.

Account security
BILLING AND SUPPORT

Billing, upgrades, and cancellations

Understand monthly subscriptions and what happens after cancellation.

  1. Open Billing to see your subscriptions, next billing date, and order history.
  2. Review plan change options there. Available upgrades depend on capacity and the server's hosting tier.
  3. To stop future renewals, use the cancellation option and review its confirmation carefully.
  4. Cancellation is generally scheduled for the end of the current paid billing period.
  5. Before service ends, download or back up any files you need. Server data may be removed when the service terminates.

Refer to the Terms and Refund Policy for the full binding conditions. Check your actual subscription status in Billing rather than relying only on an email.

Manage billing
BILLING AND SUPPORT

My server won't start or connect

What to check before opening a support ticket.

  1. Look at your server status in Overview and check its subscription status in Billing.
  2. Open Console and read the latest startup errors if available.
  3. If Minecraft cannot connect, confirm the hostname in Connection is active and your game version matches.
  4. If you changed mods, plugins, or software, undo incompatible changes or consult a recent backup if your plan includes backups.
  5. Check the public Status page for maintenance or regional issues.
  6. If the problem continues, submit a support ticket and select the affected server.

Avoid deleting your world or reinstalling without first preserving data you want to keep.

Contact support

NEED MORE HELP?

We're here for you.

For a specific server, order, or billing issue, sign in to create a support ticket.

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