Install
Set up DGuard in a couple of minutes
Two files in plugins/, a key in the config and a restart. After that DGuard installs its own updates.
- 1
Step 1 of 4
Get a key
Sign up and add a server in the panel — it gives you a dg_… license key. Free: one server with up to 30 players online. The key is shown once, so copy it right away.
- 2
Step 2 of 4
Install PacketEvents
DGuard reads packets through the PacketEvents plugin and runs on its latest release only. Put it into plugins/. Developer builds (dev, SNAPSHOT) won't do.
Download PacketEventslatest release · Modrinth - 3
Step 3 of 4
Add DGuard.jar and paste the key
DGuard.jar goes into plugins/ too. Paste the key into plugins/DGuard/config.yml, the license.key field.
DGuard.jar is in the panel, next to your key.
plugins/DGuard/config.yml license: key: "dg_…"
No file yet? Create it with these lines, or start the server once — DGuard creates the config itself.
- 4
Step 4 of 4
Restart the server
DGuard checks the key and connects to the site — the panel shows the server as Online. To check from the console, run /dguard license.
- your-server/
- server.jarPaper or Leaf
- plugins/
- packetevents.jar
- DGuard.jar
- DGuard/
- config.yml
- license:key:"…"
DGuard panel
Your server
waiting to connect
/dguard licenseWhat your server needs
- Server
- Paper or Leaf 1.21.4, 1.21.8, 1.21.11, 26.2, and 26.3. The main version is 1.21.11: DGuard is tested on it and runs on production servers.
- Java
- 21 or newer — Paper 1.21 needs it anyway.
- PacketEvents
- Always the latest release. When a new one is out, the panel shows it and lets you know.
- Internet
- HTTPS access to the DGuard site — for the license and updates. Without it, protection keeps running on the saved license for up to 72 hours.
- Networks
- On BungeeCord and Velocity, DGuard goes on every game server, each with its own key.
Commands
They need the dguard.admin permission.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/dguard license | Plan, online limit, license state, the last signal to the site and the PacketEvents version. |
/dguard update | Check for and download a new version — it's installed on restart. |
/dguard reload | Reload the config. Changed the key? DGuard reconnects to the site. |
/dguard perf | How much time the checks take. |
Punishment log in the panel
By default bans and kicks stay on your server. To see them in the panel with reports, filters and CSV export, turn the log on and run /dguard reload:
cloud: punishment-log: true
The log holds player names, so it's off until you say so. Entries are kept for 90 days.
If something's off
Stuck?
Write to support with your server software, its version and what the console shows — we'll help you connect.
Contact support- The server doesn't show up in the panel
- Check that plugins/ holds both files — PacketEvents and DGuard.jar, the whole key is in license.key, and the server can reach the internet. /dguard license shows the license state.
- The panel says “No PacketEvents”
- DGuard doesn't start protection without PacketEvents. Put the latest release from Modrinth — not a dev build — into plugins/ and restart.
- The key isn't accepted
- The key was reissued or the server was deleted in the panel. Copy the current key from Servers & keys, paste it into config.yml and run /dguard reload.
- “This key was started on another server”
- One key, one server. For a second server, add it in the panel and get its own key. If that other start wasn't you, issue a new key.
- Online is above my plan limit
- Protection keeps working and players can still join. The panel suggests a bigger plan and lets you know.