// modpack server guide
The Dwellers server hosting & setup guide
A server for The Dwellers needs Java 17 and about 2.5–4 GB of RAM for up to 8 players.
Horror modpack adding multiple dwellers, Herobrine, and numerous horror and immersion mechanics to the game
Summary from The Dwellers on Modrinth.
The Dwellers is a Forge modpack for Minecraft 1.20.1 (older versions go back to 1.19.2) with 48 mods. We'd pick our Standard plan (4 GB) for it.
Quick facts
| Loader | Forge |
|---|---|
| Minecraft versions | 1.20.1, 1.19.2 |
| Java needed | Java 17 for Minecraft 1.20.1 Java version chart. |
| Mods | 48 modsCounted from the pack's file list on Modrinth. None are marked client-only. |
| RAM | About 2.5–3 GB for 1–3 playersBy player count. |
| Downloads | 673,186 on Modrinth |
| Last updated | December 25, 2023 (version 3.4) |
| First published | December 2, 2023 on Modrinth |
| Server support | Required: the pack has mods that must run on the server. |
| Server pack | Not published separatelyHow to build the server. |
| Modrinth tags | adventure, challenging, combat, quests |
The Dwellers on a server: what to know
The Dwellers is a Forge horror pack built around the Cave Dweller, the Man from the Fog and From the Fog's Herobrine, with a sanity mechanic and an insanity shader. Its newest releases on Modrinth (up to 5.3, January 2024) are for Minecraft 1.19.2, while the 1.20.1 versions stop at 3.4. Both lines need Java 17; the server and every player must be on the same line and version.
The authors ask for a computer with at least 6 GB of RAM to play it, and 16 GB for the best experience, so players may need more memory than the server does.
Watch out for
- The pack bundles Simple Voice Chat for proximity voice. Voice only connects if the server's UDP port 24454 is open as well as TCP 25565. Source.
Sources: modrinth.com, modrinth.com (2), modrinth.com (3), modrepo.de. Checked October 12, 2026.
The Dwellers server files
No. The Dwellers has no separate server pack on Modrinth, so the server is built from the .mrpack: the Forge server for Minecraft 1.20.1, plus the pack's overrides folder and the server-side mods its modrinth.index.json lists. A modpack installer does this for you; our guide shows how to make a server for a modpack with no server pack.
How much RAM does a server for The Dwellers need?
| Players online | RAM | DSN plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 players | About 2.5–3 GB | Standard (4 GB) |
| 4–8 players | About 2.5–4 GB | Standard (4 GB) |
| 9–15 players | About 3.5–5 GB | Premium (8 GB)Standard (4 GB) can do if players stay close. |
Estimated from 48 mods on the server with our RAM calculator, not measured: low end if players stay together, high end if they spread out.
Set Java's heap (-Xmx) 10–15% under the RAM you have, about -Xmx3500M on 4 GB. Forge 1.20.1 reads it from user_jvm_args.txt: uncomment the -Xmx line. RAM guide.
The Dwellers server requirements
| Java | Java 17 |
|---|---|
| Loader | Forge for Minecraft 1.20.1 |
| CPU | Fast single-core speed (one main thread). |
| RAM | About 2.5–5 GB for 1–15 players (table above) |
| Disk | The server files, a growing world and backups |
| Network | TCP port 25565 open to players |
Recommended plan
Our pick for The Dwellers
Standard
4 GB RAM · planned launch price $16/month
At about 48 Forge mods this is a light pack, so 4 GB of RAM covers it for a small group.
Ordering is closed until we relaunch. We aren't taking orders or payments while we move to new hardware. Join the launch list and we'll email you when Standard servers open.
More than 8 players, or lots exploring at once? Go up to Premium (8 GB). Not sure? Email hello@dsnservers.com.
Planned launch price in USD, billed monthly once ordering opens, with a 7-day refund window.
How to make a server for The Dwellers on your own PC
What's specific to The Dwellers, step by step. The full walkthrough for any pack: how to make a modded Minecraft server.
- Install Java 17.
Check with
java -version. Java version chart. - Get the server files.
Build them from the .mrpack, as in server files above.
- Start it and accept the EULA.
Run the start script in the server files, or the
run.sh/run.batthe Forge 1.20.1 installer writes, then seteula=trueineula.txtif you accept Mojang's EULA (EULA step). - Set the RAM with
-Xmx, sized from the table above. - Let friends connect: forward TCP 25565, or use a tunnel or host behind CGNAT (can't connect?).
Or run The Dwellers on DSN
Once we relaunch (join the launch list), on DSN you'd install The Dwellers from the panel's Modrinth modpack installer (version 3.4), pick Java 17 on the Startup tab and accept the EULA in the console. No port forwarding.
How to play The Dwellers with friends
Each player installs The Dwellers version 3.4 with the Modrinth App or Prism Launcher, the same version as the server, and adds the server's address under Multiplayer.
Different versions of The Dwellers on the server and a client show up as Mismatched mod channel list or mod rejections. Why friends can't join, timeouts included.
Lag and performance on The Dwellers
Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded? means ticks take longer than 50 ms; more RAM won't fix that once The Dwellers has enough (tick lag guide). For The Dwellers:
- Measure first: spark's
/spark tpsand profiler work on 1.20.1 and name the mod or machine using the tick time. - Distances:
view-distance=8and a lowersimulation-distanceinserver.properties. - Pre-generate: Chunky for 1.20.1,
/chunky radius 3000then/chunky start, before people explore.
Common crashes on The Dwellers
What a Forge 1.20.1 server running The Dwellers hits most. For any other error, paste the log into the free crash log analyzer.
- Wrong Java version. The Dwellers on Minecraft 1.20.1 needs Java 17. Started on Java 8, it stops with
UnsupportedClassVersionError: ... class file version 61.0, this version of the Java Runtime only recognizes class file versions up to 52.0. Java version fix. - Out of memory. The Dwellers (48 mods on the server) needs about 2.5–3 GB for 1–3 players;
java.lang.OutOfMemoryErrormeans it ran out. Out-of-memory fix. - Client-only mod on the server. The Dwellers pack file marks none of its mods client-only, so this usually means one was copied over from a player's mods folder. Check a mods list with the client-or-server-side checker. Client-only mod fix.
- After adding or updating a mod. Mods you add to The Dwellers by hand usually crash it with a missing dependency or a mixin conflict.
- Ticking entity or block entity. The crash report names it and gives its coordinates. Ticking entity fix.
Updates and support
Before moving The Dwellers past version 3.4, back up the world: see updating a modpack server without losing your world.
Bugs in The Dwellers itself go to its authors through its Modrinth page. Server problems on DSN: hello@dsnservers.com or Discord.
Packs like The Dwellers
More: all modpack guides and how to make a modded server.
Run The Dwellers on DSN when we relaunch.
Our pick, Standard: 4 GB, planned at $16/month.
DSN Servers isn't affiliated with The Dwellers or Modrinth. The pack's name, icon, summary and stats come from Modrinth's public API (checked October 4, 2026).