A plugin will not load or shows red

My plugin does not show up, or it is red in /plugins.

The console explains why: wrong Minecraft version, a missing dependency, an invalid file, or a config error.

Before you start: The console output from the last start.

Step by step

1. Restart the server and watch the console, or search logs/latest.log for the plugin's name.
2. "Unknown dependency" / "requires": install the plugin it names (Vault, ProtocolLib, PlaceholderAPI…).
3. "Unsupported API version" or "not compatible": get the build for your Minecraft version.
4. "Invalid plugin.yml" / "zip file is empty": the file is broken or not a plugin; download it again.
5. Make sure the jar is directly in plugins/, not in a subfolder, and that the server is not Vanilla or Fabric.
6. Config errors: see the YAML guide, or rename the plugin folder to regenerate its config.

Check it worked: The plugin is green in /plugins.

Why it happens: Plugins are checked and enabled at startup; any failure disables them.

More guides on Plugins, mods, and modpacks:

• Install a plugin in one click
• Upload a plugin jar yourself
• Update or remove a plugin
• Why not to use /reload
• Set up ranks and permissions with LuckPerms
• EssentialsX and a working economy