Applies to: Minecraft Java Edition · Fabric and Forge servers
Mods require a Fabric or Forge server. They don’t work on Vanilla, Paper, or Spigot. If you’re not sure what you need, see Vanilla vs Paper vs Spigot vs Fabric vs Forge.
Before you start
Back up your server before adding mods. See Back up your Minecraft server.
- Download mods from trusted sources: Modrinth or CurseForge.
- Make sure the mod is compatible with:
- Your mod loader (Fabric or Forge, they are not interchangeable)
- Your Minecraft version
- Some mods require other mods to work (dependencies). Check the mod’s page for requirements.
Client-side vs server-side mods
| Type | Install on server | Install on client |
| Server-side only | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Client-side only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Both sides required | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
If a mod must be on both sides, all players must install the same version of the mod on their own Minecraft client.
Steps
- Download the mod .jar file to your computer.
- Sign in to your Syrup dashboard.
- On the My Servers page, click Manage on your server.
- Stop your server. See Start, stop, or restart your server.
- Open the File Manager.
- Navigate to the /mods folder.
- Upload the mod .jar file.
- Start your server and watch the console for errors.
How to check if it worked
Search the console output for the mod’s name. Fabric logs something like [FabricLoader] Loading mod modname. Forge logs a mod loading table during startup.
Common issues
| Problem | Fix |
| Server crashes on startup | Check the crash log. Most common cause: wrong loader (Fabric vs Forge), wrong Minecraft version, or missing dependency. |
| “Missing mods” error on client join | The mod needs to be installed on the client too. Send players the mod file. |
| Mod loads but features are missing | Some mods need config changes. Check /config/modname for configuration files. |
Still stuck?
Contact support with: the mod name and version, your server type and Minecraft version, and the full crash log or console error.