How to Join a Minecraft Server Using Its IP Address

Joining a Minecraft server with its IP address takes less than a minute once you know the steps, but it trips up a lot of new players. Here is exactly how to do it on both Java and Bedrock editions.

On Java Edition: open Minecraft and click Multiplayer from the main menu. If this is your first time, click Add Server. Type any name you want in the Server Name field — it is just a label for your list. In the Server Address field, paste the server's IP exactly as shown on its listing, for example play.example.com or play.example.com:25565 if a custom port is included. Click Done, then double-click the server in your list to connect. If the server uses a non-default port, make sure you included the part after the colon — leaving it off is the most common reason a Java server "won't connect."

On Bedrock Edition (Windows, mobile, console): open Minecraft, go to Play, then switch to the Servers tab. Scroll to the bottom and select Add Server. Enter a name, then enter the Server Address in the Server Address field. Bedrock servers almost always need a separate Port field filled in too — commonly 19132 unless the listing says otherwise. Save, then tap the server to join.

A few things that commonly go wrong. First, typos: server IPs are unforgiving, so copy-paste instead of typing them by hand whenever you can. Second, using the wrong edition's address — some networks run Java and Bedrock on completely different addresses or ports, so check the listing carefully if you are not on Java. Third, the server might genuinely be offline or under maintenance; a Minecraft server list that shows live status before you try connecting saves you from troubleshooting a problem that isn't on your end at all.

If you keep getting "Connection timed out" or "Unable to connect," try the IP address again in a few minutes, double-check you copied it exactly, and confirm the server's live status on its listing page. Once you're in, most servers will drop you at a spawn hub with signs or an NPC menu explaining the rules, gamemodes and how to get started — take a minute to read it before you start building or fighting, since every server's setup is a little different.