^TUTORIAL
How to Allow Multiple Versions to Join Your Minecraft Server with ViaVersion

In recent years, Minecraft has released multiple versions of their game, adding a lot of new structures, mobs, and resources into it. These different versions of the game help the players to stay connected to the latest updates and even switch versions if needed. However, the problem arises when players try to join your Minecraft Server using a game version different from the one your server is running. Without proper support, they’ll see frustrating errors like "Outdated server!" or "Failed to connect!", preventing them from playing.

To solve this issue, server owners can simply install ViaVersion on their server allowing players playing on different versions of Minecraft to join your server without the need to update their game to the specific version that your server is running on.

What is ViaVersion

ViaVersion is a plugin that allows players on newer Minecraft clients to join servers running on older versions of the game. The plugin is great for server owners looking to maintain compatibility with different versions of the game without the need to change to one specific. The plugin also has 3 different types, allowing customization according to your needs and requirements.

1. ViaVersion - The core plugin that allows players to join servers running on older versions of the game while playing the game with recently released versions.

2. ViaBackwards - It allows players playing older versions of the game to join servers running on newer versions.

3. ViaRewind - It further extends older version compatibility, allowing even very old clients (1.8 and below) to connect to newer servers.

Below is a chart that you can use to identify versions that can join your Minecraft Server after installing ViaVersion and its different types on the server. You can also visit https://viaversion.com/setup.html?lang=en to view a list of plugins that you will need to install in order to allow a set number of versions to join your server.

Installing ViaVersion, ViaBackwards, and ViaRewind

Before starting, we recommend you install the correct versions of ViaVersion, ViaBackwards, and ViaRewind on your server from their download page at https://viaversion.com/downloads.html according to your server version (Paper, Fabric, and others) and requirements.

1. Log in to your MCServerHost dashboard, and stop your server in order to avoid any type of error while installing the plugins into your server.

2. Go to the file manager, install the plugins into your ‘plugins’ folder, and restart your server in order to let the plugins to create their respective configuration files on the server.

3. On restarting, the plugins will create their configuration files in the 'plugins' folder and start working.

Configuring ViaVersion, ViaBackwards, and ViaRewind

After successfully installing all the plugins on your server, they will start working and allow both older and newer clients to join your server running on any version of the game. Apart from that, they don't really require much configuration to operate. Their configuration folders, present in the 'plugins' directory, contain a 'config.yml' file for each of them, presenting you with multiple customization options.

Conclusion

Installing ViaVersion, ViaBackwards, and ViaRewind on your server is a great way to make your server compatible with multiple versions of the game. This also prevents your server from losing player base due to version mismatch. The installation process of the plugins is very easy and doesn't even require any configuration. Just install them on your server, and you are good to go.

Similarly, if you are having any type of issue or problem with your server at MCServerHost you can always get in touch with us by joining our Discord server or writing us at support@MCServerHost.com.