How to Install Simple Voice Chat on Minecraft Servers (Mod & Plugin)

Looking to add voice communication to your Minecraft server? This comprehensive guide walks you through installing and configuring the popular Simple Voice Chat mod on Forge, Fabric, and Paper/Spigot servers. Follow our step-by-step instructions to get your players talking in-game within minutes.

The Simple Voice Chat mod offers proximity-based voice communication, meaning players can only hear others who are nearby in the game world - just like in real life. This creates a more immersive and realistic experience compared to external voice chat programs.

Installing Simple Voice Chat on Forge/NeoForge Servers

Here's how to add voice chat to your Forge/NeoForge server:

1. Visit Modrinth and download the Simple Voice Chat mod version specifically compatible with your Forge server version
2. Go to the MintServers Games panel
3. Stop your server for safety
4. Navigate to the Files tab in the left sidebar

5. Open the "mods" folder

6. Upload the Simple Voice Chat .jar file you downloaded

7. Start your server to generate the initial configuration files
8. Once the server has fully started, stop it again
9. Go to the Network tab on the lower left of the panel

10. Click on right side blue button "Create Allocation"

11. Copy the new allocated port

12. Return to the Files tab

13. Navigate to the directory: /config/voicechat
14. Open the "voicechat-server.properties" file for editing
15. Find the "port=" line and change the value to the port you noted earlier

16. Save the changes
17. Start your server again

Installing Simple Voice Chat on Fabric Servers

Here's how to install voice chat on Fabric:

1. Visit Modrinth and download the Simple Voice Chat mod version specifically compatible with your Fabric server version
2. Go to the MintServers Games panel
3. Stop your server for safety
4. Navigate to the Files tab in the left sidebar

5. Open the "mods" folder

6. Upload the Simple Voice Chat .jar file you downloaded
7. Start your server to generate the initial configuration files
8. Once the server has fully started, stop it again
9. Go to the Network tab on the lower left of the panel

10. Click on right side blue button "Create Allocation"

11. Copy the new allocated port

12. Return to the Files tab

13. Navigate to the directory: /config/voicechat
14. Open the "voicechat-server.properties" file for editing
15. Find the "port=" line and change the value to the port you noted earlier

16. Save the changes
17. Start your server again

Installing Simple Voice Chat on Paper/Spigot Servers

Paper and Spigot servers are optimized for performance and are widely used for larger multiplayer servers. Here's how to add voice chat:

1. Go to the MintServers Games panel
2. Click on "Plugins" in the left sidebar

3. Search for "Simple Voice Chat"
4. Click "Install" next to the appropriate version

5. Start your server to generate the initial configuration files
6. Once the server has fully started, stop it again
7. Go to the Network tab on the lower left of the panel

8. Click on right side blue button "Create Allocation"

9. Copy the new allocated port

10. Return to the Files tab

11. Navigate to the directory: /plugins/voicechat
12. Open the "voicechat-server.properties" file for editing
13. Find the "port=" line and change the value to the port you noted earlier
14. Save the changes
15. Start your server again

Client Setup for Players

For players to use voice chat, they must also install the mod on their client:

1. Download the same version of Simple Voice Chat from Modrinth
2. Install it in their client's mods folder
3. Launch Minecraft with the appropriate mod loader (Forge or Fabric)
4. Join your server
5. Press the default voice chat key (V) to speak

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Players Can't Hear Each Other

If players can't hear each other, check these common issues:

• Ensure the UDP port you configured is open and not blocked by a firewall
• Verify all players have the same version of the mod installed
• Check that players have allowed Minecraft microphone access in their system settings
• Make sure players are within the default voice range (set to 48 blocks by default)

Voice Quality Issues

For voice quality problems:

• Adjust the quality settings in the voicechat-server.properties file
• Increase the MTU value if players experience choppy audio
• Consider lowering the audio quality if your server has bandwidth limitations

Advanced Configuration

The voicechat-server.properties file contains many options to customize your voice chat experience:

• voice_distance: How far players can hear each other (default: 48 blocks)
• whisper_distance: Range for whisper mode (default: 16 blocks)
• fade_distance: Distance over which voice fades (default: 16 blocks)
• crouch_distance_multiplier: Reduces voice range when sneaking
• groups_enabled: Enables voice chat groups for private conversations
• host_name: Server address for voice chat (usually leave as default)

Conclusion

Adding voice chat to your Minecraft server dramatically enhances the multiplayer experience, fostering better communication and community building. With Simple Voice Chat properly installed and configured on your MintServers Minecraft server, your players can enjoy seamless in-game communication without needing external programs.

Remember that all players will need to install the mod on their clients as well. For the best experience, consider creating a simple modpack or guide for your community that includes the voice chat mod and any other mods you're using on your server.