Released 2021-07-06
Minecraft 1.17.1 needs Java 16
1.17 is the odd one out. No other line in Minecraft's history needs Java 16 in particular — a Java release replaced within six months and no longer offered by most vendors.
Java version required
16or newer
Also runs correctly on Java 17.
Availability
Paper is available for 1.17.1
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.
Advertisement
Things to know about this version
Just install Java 17; it runs 1.17.1 properly even though the official requirement says 16. Hunting for a genuine Java 16 build is time wasted. The version was brief because Caves and Cliffs shipped in two halves, and the community jumped to 1.18 almost at once, so mods here are few.
Advertisement
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