14 Ways to Troubleshoot Server Connection Error in Minecraft

Are you having trouble connecting to a Minecraft server? If you're seeing the error "Can't Connect to Server" in Bedrock or Java edition, this could be caused by a variety of problems. If you're sure you have the correct server address and you're still unable to connect to a server's world, the issue could be related to your computer, system, or network. This wikiHow will show you how to fix the "Can't Connect to Server" error on desktop, console, or mobile.

Things You Should Know

Unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Disconnect and reconnect Wi-Fi on your device.
Check https://downdetector.com/status/minecraft to see if servers are down everywhere.
Disable firewall on your computer and router, or make sure Minecraft is allowed access.

Method 1

Method 1 of 14:

Check the Error

1
Check where the error is occurring. Check to see if all joined Minecraft servers are unable to connect, or if the problem is happening across multiple servers. If it is only happening on certain Minecraft servers, the problem is likely with the server itself. If you aren't able to connect to any Minecraft servers, it's likely a software issue on your end.

Method 2

Method 2 of 14:

Check Wi-Fi Connection

1
Check that your connection is enabled. On most devices, the Wi-Fi icon resembles a dot with three or four arching lines over it. Click or tap this icon and check to see if Wi-Fi is enabled, and also check the status of your connection at the top of the list of wireless networks. If you are having issues with your Wi-Fi connection, click Disconnect and then connect again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 14:

Refresh the Server List

1
Try to refresh the server list (Java Edition). Click Refresh below the list of servers. This often fixes minor connection issues.

Method 4

Method 4 of 14:

Log Out and Log In

1
Log out and log back into Minecraft. Go to Settings → Account → Sign out of your Microsoft Account.
- After logging out, close the Minecraft client. Wait a few seconds, then launch Minecraft again.
- Enter your username and password to log back in.

Method 5

Method 5 of 14:

Restart Wi-Fi Router

1
Restart your Wi-Fi router. To restart your router, unplug it and wait at least 30 seconds. Then, plug it back in. If it doesn't automatically turn on, press the power button. You may need to wait a few minutes for it to boot up.

Method 6

Method 6 of 14:

Check DownDetector

1
Go to https://downdetector.com/status/minecraft in a web browser. Sometimes servers get overloaded, or are taken down for maintenance. You'll see any current issues reported on DownDetector. Try waiting a few hours before trying to connect again.
- You can also check DownDetector for your game console's network:

Method 7

Method 7 of 14:

Disable Firewall on Desktop

1
Check your firewall settings. Your macOS or Windows firewall settings may prevent you from connecting to a Minecraft server. In this case, you can disable the firewall or check the inbound and outbound rules and make sure Minecraft is allowed.
- If you're running any third-party firewall applications, check the settings on those applications. Make sure Minecraft is allowed through those programs, or disable the firewall program.

Method 8

Method 8 of 14:

Disable Firewall on Wi-Fi

1
Disable your router's firewall. Sometimes your modem or router may have its own firewall. Log in to web interface on your modem or router and check the firewall settings. If the firewall is blocking Minecraft server connections, either allow those connections or disable the firewall.

Method 9

Method 9 of 14:

Contact the Network Admin

1
Contact the network administrator. If you are playing on a public, work, or university network, it is possible the network administrator doesn't allow Minecraft. Contact the network administrator about the issue, or use another network without restrictions.

Method 10

Method 10 of 14:

Contact Server Owners

1
Contact the server owners. When you host an online Minecraft server, you have the power to put the server online or offline. Double-check with the server owners to see if the server is offline for any reason.
- If you have a server for you and your friends, ask your friends if they adjusted any of the server settings.

Method 11

Method 11 of 14:

Uninstall Mods

1
Uninstall any mods. It is possible that unofficial software or third-party mods may be causing problems with your game. Uninstall any mods you may have installed. Restart your computer, then launch Minecraft again.

Method 12

Method 12 of 14:

Flush DNS and Renew IP (Windows)

1
Open the command prompt. Click the Start menu and enter cmd into the search.
- Right-click the Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.
- Make sure Minecraft is closed.
2
Type ipconfig /flshdns and press ↵ Enter. Do this in the command prompt window.
- You'll see a success prompt.
3
Enter ipconfig /renew and press ↵ Enter. Again, enter this in the command prompt window.
- You'll see a success prompt.
4
Launch Minecraft. Try to connect to the server again.

Method 13

Method 13 of 14:

Update Drivers

1
Update your drivers. In some cases, your network driver may be out-of-date or corrupted. You'll need to find and install any existing updates.
- On Windows, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates → Install now.
- On Mac, click the Apple menu → App Store… → Updates → Update All.

Method 14

Method 14 of 14:

Close Background Applications

1
Close any background applications. Applications running in the background can use up needed bandwidth. Web browsers such as Google Chrome can have high CPU usage. Close any unnecessary applications, then open Minecraft.

Image titled Fix "Can't Connect to Server" in Minecraft Step 17

Community Q&A

Question

How do I contact the server owners?

Community Answer

You need to see who owns it and contact them via email or any social media they have.
Question

How do I log out of Minecraft?

Community Answer

Go to the launcher and click the "Log out" button. Then you should sign back in and try to connect to the server.
Question

What does it mean when the server I open says, "Failed to login: invalid session (Try restarting your game)"? How do I fix it?

Community Answer

Close the game; if it re-opens the launcher, close that, too. Start a new instance of Minecraft.