A Minecraft server icon is the one detail that stops your server from blending into a list of thousands. Since Minecraft version 1.7.2, every server owner has been able to set a custom icon that shows up next to the server’s name in the multiplayer list, and it’s often the first thing a player notices before they even read the name.
It looks like a simple image swap, but a few small details decide whether the icon actually shows up in game. This guide covers how to prepare the icon file, upload it through your Apex server panel, and troubleshoot it if it doesn’t appear the next time someone scrolls the multiplayer list.
Prepare Your Icon
A server icon must follow three simple rules to be able to be used on a minecraft server.
- The icon must be 64×64 pixels in size
- The icon must be named server-icon
- The icon must be in .PNG format
The second rule catches more people than it should. The filename needs the extension included, so the finished file has to read exactly server-icon.png, not just server-icon with the extension hidden by your operating system’s file browser.
How to Check the Picture Size
Windows
- Right click the image and select Properties.
- Select the Details tab on the top to view the dimensions.
Mac
- Right click the image and select Get Info.
- The dimensions will be listed under the More Info section.
How to Resize the Icon
- Navigate to this website and click the Select Image button.
- Locate and click on your desired server icon from your files.
- Proceed to change the Width and Height to 64 on the right-hand side.
- Afterward, uncheck the Maintain Aspect Ratio option.
- When you’re finished, click Resize Image at the bottom and download the file.
Remember, the filename must be server-icon.png before you upload it to the Minecraft server: both the name and the .png extension matter. Renaming can be done at any time on your computer, but changing formats involves selecting or typing .png when you download the image. Some file browsers hide the extension by default, so checking the image’s properties as mentioned above is a reliable way to confirm it’s actually saved as a PNG.
Upload to Your Server
Once you have a properly sized, named, and formatted image, log in to your Apex control panel and use FTP to upload it to your server so it can start displaying in the server list.
- Head to your control panel and stop your server.
- To the left of the game panel, navigate the FTP File Access tab. Once in that tab please login using your panel password.
- To the left of the panel, you will see an upload button. Click this and then drag your image into the uploader to upload the image to the Default folder.
You can also use the direct upload button to this same screen, so you can select the icon file from your computer instead of dragging it in if that’s easier. Both methods upload the file the same way.
- Once you see the image reach 100% you will be able to then go back to the main panel page and start the server.
Assuming all three criteria are met, you will see your newly uploaded icon in game the next time you ping the server in the multiplayer server list.
Common Issues
If you don’t see the image display in your Minecraft server list, double-check that you restarted the server after uploading and refreshed the server list in game. If it’s still not showing, try re-adding the server to your list. If that doesn’t work either, one of the following is likely the cause.
Renaming the file after it’s already uploaded is the most common way this breaks. Since the file extension, .png in this case, is part of the name shown on the panel, it’s easy to forget to include it when you rename the file, leaving something like server-icon instead of server-icon.png.
The image may not display if it’s too large or too small. Right-click the file and check its properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac) to confirm the dimensions. Anything other than 64 pixels wide and 64 pixels tall will not work on the server.
If the image isn’t sized correctly, this resizing site can fix that.
Minecraft Server Icon FAQ
Why Isn’t My Server Icon Showing Up After I Uploaded It?
Restart the server first: a running server won’t pick up a new icon file until it restarts. Then refresh your in-game server list, or remove and re-add the server entry. If it still doesn’t appear, check the filename and dimensions against the Common Issues section above.
Can I Use an Animated GIF As a Minecraft Server Icon?
No. Minecraft’s server list only reads a single static server-icon.png file and doesn’t support animation. Uploading a GIF, even after renaming it to .png, won’t produce a working icon; the game won’t render it.
What Is the Minimum Minecraft Version for a Custom Server Icon?
Version 1.7.2. Custom server icons have worked the same way, a 64×64 PNG named server-icon.png in the server’s root folder, in every version released since.
Why Does Renaming My Icon After Uploading It Sometimes Break the Filename?
Because the file extension is part of the filename itself. When you rename the file through the FTP panel, it’s easy to type over or drop the .png portion by accident, which leaves the server unable to recognize the file. Naming the file server-icon.png before you upload it avoids the problem entirely.
