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Mod Placed in Plugins Folder

A Forge/Fabric mod was placed in a server's plugins folder, where the plugin loader expects a plugin.yml and finds none. Mods do not load from plugins/.

What does this error mean?
On Bukkit-based servers, the plugins/ folder loads plugins, which must contain a valid plugin.yml. A mod jar has no plugin.yml, so the loader reports it invalid. Mods load from mods/ on Forge/Fabric (or hybrid) servers, not from plugins/. 
Invalid plugin.yml
Most Common Causes
  • A mod jar dropped into the plugins folder.
  • Confusing mods with plugins.
  • Trying to run mods on a pure Paper/Spigot server.
  • Mixing mod and plugin files.
  • Following modded instructions on a plugin server.
How To Diagnose
  1. Confirm the jar is a mod (no plugin.yml, has mod metadata).
  2. Check your server type (Paper vs Forge/Fabric vs hybrid).
  3. Note that Paper/Spigot cannot load mods.
  4. Identify other misplaced files.
Recommended Fixes
  • Remove the mod from plugins
    Take the mod jar out of the plugins folder, it cannot load there.
  • Run a modded/hybrid server
    To use mods, run Forge/Fabric, or a hybrid (Mohist/Arclight) if you also need plugins.
  • Find a plugin equivalent
    On Paper, look for a plugin that provides the feature the mod offered.
  • Use the correct folder
    Mods go in mods/, plugins go in plugins/, on a platform that supports each.
Analyze My Log
Frequently Asked Questions

No. Paper/Spigot load Bukkit plugins only. Mods need Forge/Fabric or a hybrid server.

In the mods/ folder of a Forge/Fabric (or hybrid) server.

Use a hybrid server like Mohist or Arclight, keeping their stability caveats in mind.