afk bot for free minecraft hosts
Keeping a free-hosted server populated, within the rules
Free hosts often stop a server that sits empty. A connected bot counts as a player, but several hosts, Aternos included, restrict that kind of keep-alive use. Read the terms of your host before you try it.
Check the host terms
Aternos staff have said on their forum that running a server around the clock by any means is against the terms. Other hosts differ, so confirm yours.
Works on servers you control
On a server you pay for or host yourself, a bot can keep the world loaded and give friends something to join.
Know when it drops
A Discord webhook tells you when the bot was kicked and why, so a stopped server does not go unnoticed.
Why free hosts need a player online
Free Minecraft hosts usually stop a server after a few minutes with nobody connected. A bot that stays logged in counts as a player and keeps the world loaded, so friends can join without waiting for it to start.
Read the host rules before you start
Some hosts forbid keep-alive bots and may suspend servers that use them. Aternos staff have said on their forum that keeping a server running around the clock is against their terms. Check the current terms of your host, and only use a bot on a server you own or have permission to keep online.
Setup in a few steps
Create a bot with offline login, enter your server address and port, turn on anti-AFK and auto-reconnect, and press start. If your server uses a login plugin, set an auto-login password so the bot registers and signs in on every join.
How free hosts decide to stop a server
Most free Minecraft hosts watch for activity. When no player has been connected for a few minutes, the server is stopped to save resources, and you start it again by hand. A connected bot counts as a player, which is why people try it, and why hosts have rules about it.
Those rules change. Check the current terms of your host, because a suspended server can cost you the world.
Offline login and login plugins
Most free-hosted servers run in offline mode, so the bot joins with a plain username. If the server uses a login plugin, turn on Auto Login and set a password that you do not use anywhere else. The plugin sends /register the first time and /login on every join after that.
If the server uses a chat captcha, the Captcha Solver can answer simple math and type-the-code messages. Map and image captchas need a person.
Keeping the bot small
One bot is enough to keep a server counted as occupied. More bots use more of the free resources, take slots from real players and make the server easier to notice. Keep AFK Keeper on, leave chat quiet and set auto-reconnect so the bot returns after a restart.
Alternatives to a keep-alive bot
If the server matters to you, consider a small paid host that stays on, or run the server yourself on a cheap VPS. Both avoid the risk of breaking a host rule, and the cost is often only a few dollars a month. A bot then becomes an extra, not a requirement.
Common questions
Does the bot start the server for me?
No. The server has to be running for the bot to join. The bot can help keep it from stopping, but it does not boot it.
Will my host allow this?
It depends on the host. Several restrict keep-alive bots, so read the terms before you use one.
What if the server restarts overnight?
Auto-reconnect retries with growing delays, so the bot rejoins once the server is back.
Is a keep-alive bot allowed?
It depends on the host, and several restrict it. Read the current terms before you use one.
Does it work on Aternos or Minehut?
A bot can connect, but those hosts may forbid keep-alive use, so check their terms first.
Which login type do I choose?
Offline for most free hosts. Choose Microsoft only if the server runs in online mode.
Can I run more than one bot?
You can, but one is usually enough and uses fewer of the host's resources.
What if the host suspends my server?
Stop the bot and contact the host. A paid or self-hosted server avoids the problem.