How to Join a Minecraft Server

If someone gave you a server address and you're not sure what to do with it, you're in the right place. Joining a Minecraft server only takes about 30 seconds once you know where to click.

How to Join a Minecraft Server (Step by Step)

This is the same whether you're joining Hypixel or your friend's private server. Here's how:

Step 1: Get the server address

Every server has an address. It's either a domain like play.luckychunk.com or a raw IP like 123.45.67.89. You get this from:

• A friend who created the server
• A server listing website
• Your hosting provider (if you created the server yourself)

Step 2: Open Minecraft and go to Multiplayer

1. Launch Minecraft Java Edition
2. Click "Multiplayer" from the main menu
3. Click "Add Server"

Step 3: Enter the server details

1. In the "Server Name" field, type any name you want (this is just a label for your server list)
2. In the "Server Address" field, paste or type the server address
3. Click "Done"

Step 4: Connect

The server will now appear in your server list. Double-click it to connect. If everything is working, you'll load into the world within a few seconds.

What You Need Before Joining

• A paid copy of Minecraft Java Edition - you can't join servers with a pirated or demo version
• The correct Minecraft version - your game version must match the server's version. If the server runs 1.21, you need to be on 1.21. You can change your version in the Minecraft Launcher under "Installations"
• An internet connection

How to Check Which Version a Server Uses

When you add a server to your list, Minecraft shows the server's version next to its name. If you see a red "X" or the version number doesn't match yours, you'll need to switch.

To change your Minecraft version:

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher
2. Go to the "Installations" tab
3. Click "New Installation"
4. Select the version you need from the dropdown
5. Save it, then select that installation before launching the game

Troubleshooting: Common Problems When Joining a Server

"Can't connect to server"

Either the server is offline or you typed the address wrong. Double-check it - and watch for extra spaces at the end, that trips people up a lot.

"Outdated client" or "Outdated server"

Your Minecraft version doesn't match the server's version. Check the server version in your server list and switch to the matching version in the Launcher (see instructions above).

"Connection timed out"

Minecraft tried to connect but got no response. Could be a few things:

• The server is down or overloaded
• Your internet connection is unstable
• A firewall is blocking the connection
• The server address is incorrect

"You are not whitelisted on this server"

The server owner has restricted access to approved players only. Ask them to add your Minecraft username to the whitelist.

"io.netty.channel" errors

Networking errors. Restart Minecraft, restart your router, try again. If it keeps happening, it's probably the server's problem, not yours.

Types of Minecraft Servers You Can Join

Public servers

Open to everyone. Hypixel, Mineplex, that kind of thing. Bedwars, Skyblock, Survival Games - thousands of people online at once. You can find server addresses on listing sites like minecraft-server-list.com.

Private servers (friends only)

Someone in your group sets up a server, shares the address, and only your friends join. Most private servers also use a whitelist so random people can't connect even if they somehow get the IP. This is what most people actually mean when they say "I want to play Minecraft with friends."

Don't Have a Server to Join? Create One

If you want your own world where you and your friends can play, here's what's out there:

Self-hosting (free but a project)

You run the server on your own PC. It works, but you need to deal with port forwarding, Java setup, and your friends seeing your home IP address. Plus the server dies whenever your computer is off.

LuckyChunk (least setup)

If you don't want to think about any of that, LuckyChunk gets you a server in about a minute:

1. Choose which Minecraft version you want
2. Pay $20/month
3. Your server is live - share the address with friends

No port forwarding, no control panels. It supports up to 20 players and your friends just add the address to their server list. That's it.

Quick Reference: Joining a Server in 30 Seconds

1. Open Minecraft → click Multiplayer
2. Click Add Server
3. Paste the server address → click Done
4. Double-click the server to join

Once a server is in your list, you can rejoin anytime with one click. If you need a server to join in the first place, check out our guide on how to make a Minecraft server or just grab one through LuckyChunk - it takes about a minute.