---
title: Install a plugin
description: Install a Paper plugin from Modrinth and load it with a restart.
---

This guide shows how to install a plugin on a Paper server. The Plugins page searches Modrinth and downloads the selected JAR to your server's `plugins` folder.

You need a server that has finished installing. If you use Fabric, Forge, or NeoForge, the panel shows a **Mods** page instead. Mods and plugins are not interchangeable.

## Open your server

On **Overview**, select the server you want to change.

<Image
  src="/assets/guides/installing-plugins/panel-overview.png"
  alt="SwiftServers Overview with the MyAwesomeServer card highlighted"
  width={1200}
/>

## 1. Open Plugins

Select **Plugins** in the server navigation.

<Image
  src="/assets/guides/installing-plugins/panel-console.png"
  alt="Server page with the Plugins tab marked as step one"
  width={1200}
/>

## 2. Install a plugin

Browse the popular list or search for a plugin. Check the Minecraft version in the top-right selector, then click **Install**.

<Image
  src="/assets/guides/installing-plugins/plugin-browser-install.png"
  alt="Simple Voice Chat in the plugin browser with its Install button visible"
  width={1200}
/>

The panel downloads the plugin JAR and any required Modrinth dependencies. When it finishes, the button changes to **Installed**.

<Warning>
  Use plugins that support your server software and Minecraft version. A mod, datapack, or client-only project will not work as a Paper plugin.
</Warning>

## 3. Restart the server

Paper only loads new plugins during startup. Click **Restart now** in the message above the plugin list.

<Image
  src="/assets/guides/installing-plugins/plugin-restart-prompt.png"
  alt="Restart required message with the Restart now button marked as step three"
  width={1200}
/>

Wait for the server to finish starting before moving on.

## 4. Check that it loaded

Open **Console** and run:

```text
plugins
```

The shorter `pl` command does the same thing. Your plugin should appear in the list.

<Image
  src="/assets/guides/installing-plugins/plugin-console-verification.png"
  alt="Console showing voicechat in the loaded plugin list"
  width={1200}
/>

<Info>
  The offline or insecure mode warning shown in the console is expected on SwiftServers backend servers. Player connections are handled by the SwiftServers proxy.
</Info>

## Remove a plugin

Open **Plugins**, switch to **Installed**, and click **Remove** beside the JAR. Restart the server afterward so Paper unloads it.

## If the plugin is missing

- Make sure you restarted the server after installation.
- Open **Plugins > Installed** and check that the JAR is listed.
- Read the startup lines in **Console**. Paper reports missing dependencies and incompatible plugins there.
- Check the plugin's Modrinth page for supported Minecraft versions and required dependencies.

You can also upload a JAR manually from **Files**, inside the `plugins` folder. Only use files from a source you trust.