Will my IP address or ports change when I switch games?

Your ports may change because many games use different ports. You'll keep a dedicated IP unless your server needs to move to another node. The confirmation dialog shows all planned changes before you proceed.

What happens to my mods and plugins?

They belong to the previous game and won't be active after the switch. The confirmation dialog shows which mods and plugins will be affected.

Game Server: Switch Games and Manage Variants

Q: How long does a game switch take?

The switch runs in the background and usually takes a few minutes. If your server is running, it will be stopped and restarted with the new game, and any connected players will be disconnected.

Learn how to install another game on your ZapX game server, switch between installed games, and find out what happens to your data, ports, and costs → Learn more now

10 November 20267 min read1 Views0 helpful

Introduction

With Game Switch, you can install and activate another game from our game catalog on your game server without ordering a new server. Your server keeps its allocated resources. Each installed game and variant gets its own data folder, so your data will still be there when you switch back.

Game Server: Switch Games and Manage Variants

Where to find Game Switch

Open your game server management panel and select Games & Variants in the sidebar. Alternatively, on the overview page, you can find the Games & Variants tile under Actions, which takes you directly there.

The page is divided into two cards:

Installed – all games and variants already installed on your server. The running game is marked Active game, and the running variant is marked Active. Other installations show the status Installed (or Installing, Failed, or Deleting).
Install – choose a new game here and install a variant or modpack.

Info

If you use a game server that has been shared with you, you need permission to install and switch games and variants. If you don't have it, contact the server owner.

Install a new game

In the Install card, go to the Search for a game... field and select the game you want. For each game, you'll see the recommended RAM, CPU, and storage requirements.
Select the variant you want. For some games (e.g., Minecraft), you'll first choose the Installation type—whether to install a ready-made modpack or a server type such as Vanilla, Paper, or Forge.
If needed, select the Version in the dialog that follows.
Review the information in the dialog (see below) and enter your server name to confirm.
Click Install & activate.

The switch will then run in the background and may take a few minutes. If your server is running, it will be stopped and restarted with the new game. Any connected players will be disconnected.

Switch back to an installed game

In the Installed card, find the game or variant you want to use.
Click Activate (the play icon).
If the variant belongs to a different game than the active one, the Switch game dialog will open. Review the information, enter your server name, and click Switch & activate.

When you switch back, ZapX uses that game's existing data folder, restoring your worlds, configurations, and startup parameters (e.g., server name, slots, and passwords). The same pricing rules apply as for any game switch (see Costs): If the game is in a higher price tier than your active game, the price changes for a rental server. For a lifetime server, switching isn't possible.

Tip

To switch variants within the same game (e.g., from Vanilla to Paper), just click Activate. You don't need to confirm by entering your server name.

What the confirmation dialog shows you

Before you confirm a game switch, ZapX checks what will change on your server and displays the details in the dialog. Depending on your server and the new game, this may include:

Ports and IP address: The new game often uses different ports. The ports that will be assigned are shown in the dialog. If you have a dedicated IP, you'll keep it; only the ports will be set to the new game's default ports. If your server needs to move to another node, it will get a new IP address there.
Domain: Your default domain and any additional subdomains will be pointed to the new address. If the new game doesn't support subdomains, they'll be removed.
Mods and plugins: These belong to the previous game and won't be active after the switch.
Add-ons: For Minecraft, Bedrock crossplay and BlueMap won't be active after the switch. You'll need to set them up again when switching back.
Server list: If your server is listed in a public server list, the listing will be hidden while the other game is running and will reappear when you switch back.
Host system change: If the new game only runs on a different operating system (Linux or Windows), your server will move to a compatible node.

Warning

Changing the host system deletes all previously installed games and their data from the old host. Be sure to create a backup first.

When switching isn't possible

If your server doesn't meet the requirements for the new game, the dialog will show you why and you won't be able to confirm the switch. This can happen, for example, if:

There aren't enough resources: The game or variant requires more RAM, CPU, or storage than your server has. You can upgrade your server using Adjust server under Actions. For more information, see our Upgrade/downgrade guide.
The game is in a higher price tier on a lifetime server: A lifetime server can't switch to a game in a higher price tier than its active game, even if you switch back after moving to a cheaper game. Please order a new game server instead.
The price of a rental server can't be changed right now: For example, this may be during an already-paid rental period, while a payment is pending, or while a plan change is in progress. You can't switch to a more expensive game in this situation, but you can switch to a cheaper one (your price will remain as originally booked).
You don't own the server: If the switch changes the price, only the server owner can confirm it.
Another process is in progress: You can't switch while a backup is being created, another game switch is running, or the server is paused or locked.
No suitable node is available: If the new game requires a different node and there isn't space available, try again later.

Costs

ZapX doesn't charge an unlock fee or a per-game purchase. Each game belongs to a price tier. Switching to a game in the same price tier is free, and your price stays the same.

Rental servers: If you switch to a game in a different price tier, the confirmation dialog will show your current and new prices. After you confirm, charges are calculated as they are for an upgrade or downgrade: A more expensive game is charged on a prorated basis for the remaining rental period, and a cheaper game is credited on a prorated basis.
Lifetime servers: You can switch to a cheaper game, but you won't receive a refund. You can't switch to a game in a higher price tier.

You'll only incur costs if you need more resources for the new game and upgrade your server using Adjust server.

Delete installations

You can remove installed games and variants you no longer need to free up storage:

In the Installed card, click Delete (the trash icon) next to the variant.
In the Delete variant dialog, enter your server name to confirm.
Click Delete permanently.

Warning

Deletion is permanent. All worlds, configurations, mods, and plugins for that variant will be lost. You can't delete the active variant, and you can't delete installations while a game switch is in progress.

Backups before switching

A regular game switch doesn't overwrite any data because each game has its own folder. Still, you should create a backup before changing the host system or deleting installations. With your ZapX Pass, you can create one with a click in the Backups tab. For step-by-step instructions, see our game server backup guide.

Info

A game server backup saves all installed games on your server. If you restore a backup, the data for all games will be reset to the state it was in when the backup was created. Games installed after that point will be removed. The restore dialog will show you which games are affected before you proceed.

Common issues and solutions

The game switch failed

If a switch fails, ZapX automatically restores your previous game. You can find the reason under Activity on your server or next to the affected variant in the Installed card. If the issue persists, contact our support team.

The server won't start after switching

Some games need a special key before they can start, such as a Cfx.re license key for FiveM or an Auth key for BeamMP. In this case, the game will be installed but remain stopped until you add the key. A message in the dashboard will tell you what's missing.

I can no longer connect

Ports or the IP address may have changed after switching. Check your server's current address on its overview page and update it in your game client or community.

Conclusion

That's it—you now know how to switch games on your game server. If you have any other questions or need help, our support team is available every day! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

No. Each game and variant has its own data folder. When you switch back, your worlds, configurations, and startup parameters will be there. The only exception is a host system change (Linux or Windows), which deletes all games previously installed on the old host. Create a backup first.

Switching within the same price tier is free. For rental servers, if you switch to a different price tier, the confirmation dialog shows the new price. After you confirm, the difference is charged or credited on a prorated basis. Lifetime servers can switch to cheaper games without a refund, but not to a higher price tier.

The dialog will show you why. Common reasons include insufficient RAM, CPU, or storage; a higher price tier on a lifetime server; a price change that can't be made right now; a backup in progress; or another game switch already running. You can add resources using Adjust server.

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Game Server: Switch Games and Manage Variants

Introduction

Where to find Game Switch

Install a new game

Switch back to an installed game

What the confirmation dialog shows you

When switching isn't possible

Costs

Delete installations

Backups before switching

Common issues and solutions

The game switch failed

The server won't start after switching

I can no longer connect

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Game Server

Where to find Game Switch

Install a new game

Switch back to an installed game

What the confirmation dialog shows you

When switching isn't possible

Costs

Delete installations

Backups before switching

Common issues and solutions

The game switch failed

The server won't start after switching

I can no longer connect

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting