Cannot connect to your Minecraft server
What to check when the game says connection refused, timed out or outdated server, and how to fix each message.
Most connection problems come down to three things: the server is not fully started yet, the address or port is wrong, or the game version does not match. Check them in this order before anything else.
Check these first
- Open the console and wait for the line starting with
Done. Until it appears, the server is still loading and will refuse connections. Modpacks can take a few minutes. - Copy the address from the Dashboard tab. If it shows a port, type it together with the address, for example
play.example.com:25565. The IP addresses and ports tab lists every address and port of the server. - Make sure your game version matches the server. You can see and change the server version in the Version and engine tab.
- Try connecting through Direct Connection instead of a saved server entry. An old entry may still point to a previous address.
What the message means
| Message | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
Connection refused | Nothing is listening on that address and port. The server is offline, still starting, or the port is wrong. Start it, wait for Done and check the port in IP addresses and ports. |
Connection timed out | The connection never reached the server. Usually a typo in the address or a firewall on your network. Try mobile data to rule out your own network. |
Unknown host | The domain does not resolve. Check the spelling. If you just pointed your own domain at the server, DNS can take up to a few hours to update. |
Failed to verify username | The server checks accounts with Mojang and your game is not logged in properly. Restart the launcher. Players without a premium account need online-mode=false in Server settings, which also turns off name protection. |
Outdated server / Outdated client | The game and server versions differ. Change the version in your launcher or in the Version and engine tab. |
Incompatible mod set / Mod rejections | Your mods do not match the server. Install the same modpack version as the server, in the same Minecraft version. |
When the server is online but nobody gets in
If the console shows Done and the address is right, look at the last lines of the console while you connect. A plugin that blocks joins (whitelist, anti-bot, login plugin) usually prints the reason there. If the whitelist is on, only listed players can join.
Still nothing
If the server keeps stopping before Done, that is a start problem, not a connection problem: see When the server will not start. The Log analysis tab reads the log for you and explains the most common errors. If that does not help, open a ticket and paste the exact message from the game.