Will my plugins still work after I update the Minecraft version?

Updating your Minecraft version doesn't automatically update your plugins — and a big version jump often breaks older ones until their authors catch up. Here's what to expect and how to update cleanly.

Why plugins break on updates

Plugins are built for specific Minecraft versions. A big jump (e.g. 1.20 → 1.21) often breaks older plugins until the author releases an update. This is normal — it just means each plugin needs a matching build.

Steps after updating

1. Update each plugin to the build that matches your new version.
2. Start the server and watch the Console for "failed to load / incompatible" lines.
3. Remove or update any plugin that errors.

Tip: Update plugins before or together with the version bump, and keep a backup (download via Files/SFTP) so you can roll back.

Frequently asked questions

Will all my plugins break? Not always — but a large version jump often breaks older ones until they're updated.

How do I spot a broken plugin? Watch the Console after starting for "failed to load" or "incompatible" messages, then update or remove that plugin.