Datapacks change Minecraft Java behavior without a mod loader. They go in the active world’s datapacks folder.
If the pack is available but disabled, enter datapack enable "file/MyPack.zip" in Console. Replace file/MyPack.zip with the exact name from datapack list available, including the file/ prefix. Keep the quotes.
Check the pack
- Choose a release for your Minecraft version and read the author’s setup instructions. Some packs need a resource pack or new world.
- Open the ZIP. pack.mcmeta and data should be at its top level, not inside an extra folder.
- Stop the server and back up the world before adding a pack that changes its data or generation.
Upload and enable it
- Check level-name in server.properties to find the active world folder.
- Open that world’s datapacks folder, creating it if needed. Upload the pack ZIP there, or use SFTP for an extracted pack folder.
- For MyPack.zip in a world named world, the path is world/datapacks/MyPack.zip.
- Start the server, or restart it if it was running. Enter datapack list enabled in Console and check for the pack.
If it is missing or disabled
Check world name, folder nesting and Console compatibility errors. Use a release for the installed game version instead of changing its pack format number to hide a warning.
If listed by datapack list available but disabled, use datapack enable with its exact listed name. Follow the author’s setup and removal instructions; leave the built in vanilla pack enabled.
Further help: Minecraft’s datapack introduction and Paper’s datapack documentation.
Related: Set a resource pack · Find your world · Minecraft hosting.
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