Released 2021-01-15
Minecraft 1.16.5 needs Java 8
A large part of modded Minecraft settled on 1.16.5 and stayed there for a long time. It is the final version that runs happily on Java 8, which goes a long way to explaining why it lasted.
Java version required
8or newer
Also runs correctly on Java 11.
Availability
Paper is available for 1.16.5
It accepts Bukkit / Spigot / Paper plugins.
Will the file I downloaded work?
Mods and plugins are two different things that both come as a .jar. Use the wrong kind and there is usually no error: the server boots and the content is simply missing.
running on Paper
No. Forge is a mod platform and Paper runs plugins — two separate systems that just share a file extension. Nothing loads, and you get no warning.
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Things to know about this version
It also works properly on Java 11, handy if your host no longer offers Java 8 — but that flexibility is rare and stops there, so do not expect Java 17 to be fine. This is the newest version in the list where Java 8 is still the right answer; from 1.17 on, the requirement rises steeply.
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This version on the Java timeline
- Java 81.7 through 1.16.5
- Java 161.17 and 1.17.1
- Java 171.18 through 1.20.4
- Java 211.20.5 and everything after