Released 2024-12-03
Minecraft 1.21.4 needs Java 21
One of the newer 1.21 releases, 1.21.4 runs on Java 21 like the rest of its line. Plugin server software keeps up with releases like this quickly; mods take a good deal longer.
Java version required
21or newer
An older Java will not start it. A much newer Java normally does, but that is up to the server software rather than Minecraft.
Availability
Paper is available for 1.21.4
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
Plan around the gap between plugins and mods. Paper and Purpur usually have builds out within days of a new Minecraft version, so a plugin server can stay close to the latest release. A modded server cannot: mods trail by months, and a pack only moves once every mod in it has. If you run mods, pick a version, pin it, and stop chasing updates.
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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