How to Join a Minecraft Server on Java, Bedrock and Console

To join a server on Java Edition, open Multiplayer, click Add Server, paste the address and double-click the entry. On Bedrock, open the Servers tab, scroll to the bottom and choose Add Server, then enter the address and port. Either way it takes under a minute, as long as your game version is one the server accepts.

Java Edition, step by step

1. Launch Minecraft and click Multiplayer. The first time, it shows a warning about third-party servers; tick the box and continue.
2. Click Add Server. The name can be anything; it’s only a label for you.
3. Paste the Server Address exactly as the server publishes it (for example play.example.com). If the server uses a non-default port, it goes after a colon: play.example.com:25566. Java’s default port is 25565, so you usually don’t type one.
4. Click Done, wait for the entry to show a player count and ping bars, then double-click it.

Direct Connection does the same thing without saving the server to your list. It’s handy for a one-off test.

The Server Resource Packs option on that screen matters too. Many servers send their own resource pack when you join. “Prompt” is the safe default; “Disabled” can stop you from joining servers that require their pack.

Matching the server’s version

Java servers tell you which version they run. If your entry says “Outdated client” or “Outdated server”, open the launcher, go to Installations, create a new installation with the server’s version, and launch that one. Many big servers accept a range of versions, so the latest release usually works. Our guide to playing old versions shows the installation screen in detail.

Join a server on Bedrock (Windows, Android, iOS)

1. From the main menu, choose Play, then the Servers tab.
2. The top of the list is Mojang’s featured servers. Scroll past them to Add Server.
3. Enter a name, the Server Address and the Port. Bedrock’s default port is 19132; use whatever the server lists.
4. Save, then select the server and choose Join Server.

Bedrock servers usually update within days of a game update, but if you’ve updated before they have, you’ll get an outdated-server message until they catch up.

Consoles

On Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, the Servers tab only lists the featured partner servers. There’s no supported way to add your own address. Guides that tell you to change your console’s DNS settings rely on third-party workarounds that can break at any time, so we don’t walk through them. If you want a private server that console players can join, a Bedrock Realm is the official route.

Reading ping before you commit

The bars next to each Java server show connection quality; hover over them to see the ping in milliseconds. Lower is better. Under about 100 ms feels normal for building and survival, and PvP players notice anything much higher. Most large networks host in North America or Europe, so players in South and Southeast Asia often see high numbers. Our page on judging servers from Bangladesh goes into regions and routing, and fixing Minecraft lag helps you tell ping lag apart from low FPS.

When it won’t connect

• “Unknown host” or “Can’t resolve hostname”: the address is mistyped or the server’s domain no longer exists. Copy it again from the official site.
• “Connection refused” or “Connection timed out”: the server is offline, the port is wrong, or (on a friend’s home server) their port forwarding isn’t working.
• “You are not whitelisted on this server”: it’s a private server. Ask the owner to add your exact username.
• “Failed to verify username” or “Invalid session”: fully close the launcher, sign out and back in, then try again.
• Kicked for “Disconnected” with no reason: often a mod or client the server doesn’t allow. Try a plain vanilla installation.

For a friend’s Bedrock world (rather than a server), the causes are different. Head to can’t connect to world instead.

Staying safe

Servers never need your Microsoft password. Logging in happens through the official launcher, and any server website asking for your password is a scam. Be careful with “free rank” offers that ask you to download a program, too. Everything else about how multiplayer works is in how to play Minecraft multiplayer.