heres the output: 

"C:\Users\Akeera\Desktop\forge server>"C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_361\bin\javaw.exe" -Xmx2048M -Xmx2048M -jar forge-1.16.5-36.2.34.jar

C:\Users\Akeera\Desktop\forge server>pause
Press any key to continue . . ."

I think it has to do with my java versions but i've tried so many...

'java' not 'javaw'

Javaw opens it in the background.

thank you! this sort of fixed the issue, although the server still will not start..

 

output: 

"

C:\Users\Phili\Desktop\forge server>"C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_361\bin\java.exe" -Xmx2048M -Xmx2048M -jar forge-1.16.5-36.2.0.jar
2023-03-14 19:10:32,646 main WARN Advanced terminal features are not available in this environment
[19:10:32] [main/INFO] [cp.mo.mo.Launcher/MODLAUNCHER]: ModLauncher running: args [--gameDir, ., --launchTarget, fmlserver, --fml.forgeVersion, 36.2.0, --fml.mcpVersion, 20210115.111550, --fml.mcVersion, 1.16.5, --fml.forgeGroup, net.minecraftforge]
[19:10:32] [main/INFO] [cp.mo.mo.Launcher/MODLAUNCHER]: ModLauncher 8.0.9+86+master.3cf110c starting: java version 1.8.0_361 by Oracle Corporation
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [ne.mi.fm.lo.FixSSL/CORE]: Added Lets Encrypt root certificates as additional trust
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [mixin/]: SpongePowered MIXIN Subsystem Version=0.8.2 Source=file:/C:/Users/Phili/Desktop/forge%20server/libraries/org/spongepowered/mixin/0.8.2/mixin-0.8.2.jar Service=ModLauncher Env=SERVER
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [cp.mo.mo.LaunchServiceHandler/MODLAUNCHER]: Launching target 'fmlserver' with arguments [--gameDir, .]
Exception in thread "main" [19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]: java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: sun.security.util.ManifestEntryVerifier.<init>(Ljava/util/jar/Manifest;)V
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.SecureJarHandler.createCodeSource(SecureJarHandler.java:66)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.TransformingClassLoader$DelegatedClassLoader.findClass(TransformingClassLoader.java:275)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.TransformingClassLoader.loadClass(TransformingClassLoader.java:136)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.TransformingClassLoader.loadClass(TransformingClassLoader.java:98)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at java.lang.Class.forName0(Native Method)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at java.lang.Class.forName(Unknown Source)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at net.minecraftforge.fml.loading.FMLServerLaunchProvider.lambda$launchService$0(FMLServerLaunchProvider.java:51)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.LaunchServiceHandlerDecorator.launch(LaunchServiceHandlerDecorator.java:37)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.LaunchServiceHandler.launch(LaunchServiceHandler.java:54)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.LaunchServiceHandler.launch(LaunchServiceHandler.java:72)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.Launcher.run(Launcher.java:82)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at cpw.mods.modlauncher.Launcher.main(Launcher.java:66)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at net.minecraftforge.server.ServerMain$Runner.runLauncher(ServerMain.java:63)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at net.minecraftforge.server.ServerMain$Runner.access$100(ServerMain.java:60)
[19:10:33] [main/INFO] [STDERR/]: [java.lang.ThreadGroup:uncaughtException:-1]:         at net.minecraftforge.server.ServerMain.main(ServerMain.java:57)

C:\Users\Phili\Desktop\forge server>pause
Press any key to continue . . ." 

 

your responses are appreciated

Nevermind, I figured it out. For future reference to anyone that might need it: 

1.16.5 Forge server hosting requires jre-8u321 or earlier, and jdk 11 should be stable for most mods.

 

reference: 

https://github.com/McModLauncher/modlauncher/issues/91

 

https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/what-java-version-should-i-use-for-1-16-5-network.516538/

 

thank you LexManos.