Create the audio server
Sign in with Discord, Google, GitHub, or email and password. Free hosting works with any sign-in method and requires a verified email address.
Choose a paid plan with enough memory, then select the Lavalink template. The smallest current paid plan has 512 MB memory. Free has 256 MB and cannot select this runtime. Compare the plan resources before creating the server, especially if you expect several simultaneous voice connections. See pricing
The template downloads the latest stable Lavalink release and YouTube-source plugin at install and checks for updates on restart. A failed update retains the last valid archive. It sets the allocated port, a strong private password and a memory-based Java heap. Keep your own configuration and data copies before changing runtimes.
Connect your music bot
Open the audio server's overview to find its host and port. The password stays masked until you submit Reveal. Copy the fields into your music bot's environment variables. Never paste the password into a public repository or support screenshot. The overview includes examples for shoukaku, lavalink-client and wavelink.
A Discord music bot sends playback instructions to Lavalink. Lavalink processes audio separately, while the command bot handles commands, permissions and queues. Run your command side on the discord.js, discord.py or JDA runtime. Restart both programs after changing connection details, then check their consoles for authentication or connection errors.
Operate responsibly
Audio sources have their own terms and availability. Hosting a runtime does not grant rights to any catalog or bypass Discord's terms. Check source permissions and test playback before inviting users. Watch memory graphs during real use and leave headroom for the JVM outside its heap. A larger plan can help with load; it cannot correct an invalid password, unreachable port or unsupported source.
Keep the address, port and password in private variables. If credentials are exposed, rotate them before reconnecting your music bot. A quiet service does not sleep for being idle. Paid crash alerts can notify a Discord channel when the server stops unexpectedly. Claim a free bot to try a command bot, or See pricing for a Lavalink server.