FAQ
Quick answers to the questions we hear most. Click any question to open it.
The plugin will not enable. What is wrong?
Check the console for the error. The most common causes are an unsupported server version (PhantomBans needs Paper 1.21+ on Java 21+) or no internet on the first start, which is needed to download a few libraries. See Installation.
Do I need internet to run the plugin?
Only on the first start. PhantomBans downloads a few libraries once and caches them. After that it runs without a connection, though Discord logging and GeoIP need internet to reach those services.
Which Minecraft and Java versions are supported?
Paper 1.21 and newer, on Java 21 or newer. Older servers will not load the plugin.
What is a silent punishment?
A silent ban or mute (/ban -s, /mute -s, or the /silentban and /silentmute aliases) is applied
normally, but the public broadcast is suppressed. Only staff with phantombans.silent.see get a quiet
notice. See Silent Punishments.
Can I move from SQLite to MySQL later?
Yes. Change database.type and fill in the connection details. Plan it during a quiet time and back up
your data first. See Storage & Data.
How do players appeal a punishment?
They run /appeal <punishment-id> <message>. The id is shown on their ban or mute screen and in their
history. Staff handle appeals from /appeals. See Reports & Appeals.
How do I make a player immune to punishments?
Grant phantombans.exempt. To let someone talk while muted, grant phantombans.bypass.mute. Use these
carefully. See Permissions.
My messages look wrong or have odd symbols.
Messages use MiniMessage tags for colour and style. Make sure your tags are closed correctly, for
example <red>text</red>. See Messages & Screens.
Changes to a config file did nothing.
Run /phantombans reload, or restart the server, after editing any config file.
Can I turn off the menus and use commands only?
Yes. Set punish-gui-enabled: false in config.yml. Every menu has command equivalents. See
Commands.
Still stuck? Head to Support.