How to Install Fabric Mods on Your Free Minecraft Server

Fabric mods install much like Forge mods — drop them in the mods folder and restart. Here's the full process for your free FreeMCServers.org Fabric server.

Step 1: Decide your Minecraft version

Pick a Minecraft version and stick with it. Fabric supports nearly every version from 1.14 onward, but mods are tied to specific versions. Make sure your server runs that exact version.

Step 2: Always install Fabric API first

Almost every Fabric mod depends on Fabric API. It's the standard library that mods build against. Download it from Modrinth or CurseForge for your Minecraft version.

Step 3: Download your mods

Fabric mod sources:

• Modrinth (Fabric mods) — the best Fabric mod library
• CurseForge (Fabric mods) — also has a big selection

Download the .jar files. Make sure they're labeled "Fabric" — Forge mods will not work on Fabric.

Step 4: Upload to your server

1. Open your FreeMCServers.org dashboard
2. Click your Fabric server
3. Go to Files → mods
4. Drag in fabric-api.jar first, then your other mods

Step 5: Install the same mods on your client

Just like Forge, every player needs Fabric and the same mods on their client to join the server.

1. Download the Fabric installer from fabricmc.net
2. Run it and select "Client" + your Minecraft version
3. Launch your Minecraft launcher and pick the new "fabric-loader-..." profile
4. Find your .minecraft/mods/ folder and copy the same mod jars in (including Fabric API)
5. Launch the game

Step 6: Connect

From your FreeMCServers.org dashboard, copy your server address and connect from your Fabric Minecraft client.

Common Fabric mod issues

• Missing Fabric API — almost everything depends on it. Always include it.
• Wrong loader (Forge vs Fabric) — Forge mods literally won't work. Check the mod label.
• Wrong Minecraft version — a 1.20.4 mod won't work on a 1.20.1 server.
• Server-side only mods — Lithium, Phosphor, FerriteCore can run server-only. Sodium & Iris are client-only.

Recommended starter mods

See our list of best Fabric mods. Start with Lithium + FerriteCore for free server-side performance.