UDP vs TCP Ports Explained (and Which One You Need)

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When adding extra ports to your server on Serverwave, you’ll see two options: TCP and UDP. If you’re not familiar with networking, this can be confusing — but don’t worry. In most cases, the choice is straightforward once you know what each one is used for.

This guide explains: What TCP and UDP are (in simple terms) The key differences * Which port type to add for common Minecraft use cases like Geyser or Votifier ---

What is a Port? A port is like a door into your server. Each service (Minecraft, plugins, voice chat, voting, etc.) uses a specific port to send and receive data. Your main Minecraft server already uses a port (usually 25565).

Some plugins and tools need additional ports to function correctly — that’s where adding extra ports comes in. ---

TCP vs UDP (Simple Explanation)

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - prioritizes reliability Makes sure all data arrives correctly Retries missing data * Slightly slower, but very stable

Best for: Things where accuracy matters more than speed. Examples: Web traffic Plugin communication Voting systems Most Minecraft plugins

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - prioritizes speed. Sends data without waiting for confirmation Faster, but data can be lost * Used for real-time communication Best for: Things where speed matters more than perfection.

Examples: Game connections Bedrock connections Voice chat Real-time gameplay data ---

Which One Do You Need? (Most Important Part)

✅ Minecraft Java Server Port type: TCP Why: Java Edition uses TCP for stable, reliable communication. (Default port is already set — you usually don’t need to add this.)

✅ Geyser (Bedrock Support) To allow Bedrock players to join your Java server using Geyser, you need an extra UDP port. Port type: UDP Why: Bedrock Edition communicates over UDP 📌 Example: Java server runs on TCP 25565 Geyser listens on a separate UDP port (e.g. 19132) ➡️ Add a UDP port when using Geyser

✅ Votifier (Receiving Votes) Voting plugins like Votifier / NuVotifier require an extra TCP port. Port type: TCP Why: Vote requests must be reliable and secure ➡️ Add a TCP port for Votifier

✅ Voice Chat Plugins (Simple Voice Chat, Plasmo Voice, etc.) Most voice chat plugins require UDP. Port type: UDP Why: Voice data needs low latency and real-time delivery ➡️ Add a UDP port for voice chat

✅ Webhooks, APIs, Plugin Communication If a plugin communicates with external services or dashboards: * Port type: TCP (almost always) ➡️ Default to TCP unless the plugin explicitly says UDP

Quick Rule of Thumb If you’re unsure, use this: Gameplay / Bedrock / Voice → UDP Plugins / Voting / Web / APIs → TCP

| Or even simpler: If the plugin documentation doesn’t mention UDP, use TCP. --- ### How to Add an Extra Port on Serverwave 1. Stop your server 2. Go to Port Allocation in the sidebar 3. Add a new port 4. Choose TCP or UDP depending on your use case 5. Save and start your server Your plugin will now be able to listen on that port. ---

Still Not Sure? Always check the plugin’s documentation — it will usually say: Which port is needed Whether it’s TCP or UDP And if you’re stuck, Serverwave support can help you choose the correct port. ---