How do I change my Minecraft version?
Short answerMake a backup, then open Settings in your panel and pick the version under "Minecraft version". Choose latest or an exact release; installed plugins and mods must support the version you pick.
Switch the version
Make a backup on the Backups tab first. Going up a version is usually safe, going back down can damage a world that the newer version already opened.
Open Settings and find "Minecraft version" under Server software.
Pick latest or an exact release and save. Then restart the server.
Watch the Console on the first start. A plugin or mod that does not support the new version says so there.
Changing the server type is a different thing
Moving from Paper to Fabric, or from Vanilla to Forge, changes the software and not just the version. The panel walks you through that as a conversion under Server software, because plugins and mods do not carry over.
Questions people also ask
My players see "Outdated server" or "Outdated client".
Their game and the server run different versions. Either they switch their game to the server version in the launcher, or you change the server version as above.