How to Join a Minecraft Server on PC

Minecraft is the most popular game on the planet, with millions of players having fun every day. This is due to an infinitely expanding open world with endless possibilities, from building giant castles to exploring the depths of the Nether. However, playing alone can become lonely over time, as it is just you in the world with nobody else. Fortunately, playing with friends or making new ones is easy to do with our servers. Whether on the Java or Bedrock editions of Minecraft, we make it easy to start your adventure with other players. These adventures can be anything from waging a faction war to simply enjoying minigames, anything is possible! However, connecting to your Minecraft server can be confusing for some players, so we will show you how to join in this

Holy Hosting tutorial.

Finding the Server Address

Before connecting to your server, you will want to locate the address you will use. This comes in two forms: a subdomain with letters and an Internet Protocol (IP) address with numbers. Either of these can be used to join the Minecraft server, with subdomains being a popular choice. These addresses are used in both Java and

Bedrock versions of the game, so knowing them is essential. With this in mind, follow the instructions below to find the correct information to make the connection.

Head to your Holy Hosting server panel with the correct account.

Locate the Subdomain and/or IP Address:Port sections.

Copy or save their respective values for later use.

Joining with Java

Connecting to any Minecraft Java server follows two methods: connecting directly or adding it to a list. Some methods may be more desirable than others, but it depends on your preferences. The most common method is creating a server list that contains each one you want to join, meaning it is saved. On the other hand, joining directly strengthens your connection for better performance. Regardless of what you choose, these are the only two ways to connect.

Direct Connection

The first method for joining your server is Direct Connection, which uses only the address. As mentioned above, this method gives you the best chance of joining as it is direct. It is also the fastest method, making it a good option for connecting. With this in mind, follow the steps below to start joining your Minecraft server.

Launch Minecraft and click on Multiplayer from the main menu.

Once there, select Direct Connection at the bottom of the screen.

Proceed to enter your Subdomain or IP:Port in the Server Address field.

Then, continue by clicking Join Server at the bottom to start the connection.

Adding a Server

As for the other method, adding servers to a list makes navigation easier if you have many to play on. This is especially useful if you have a large number of them to play on. It takes slightly longer than joining the server directly, but allows you to save them for later use. As a bonus, it allows you to see the server icon and the

Message of the Day (MOTD). These aspects are what popular servers do for branding or customization purposes. Follow the steps below to start creating your server list.

Open Minecraft and select Multiplayer from the main menu.

Continue by pressing the Add Server button near the bottom right corner.

Proceed to fill in the Server Name field with whatever you wish.

Then, enter your Subdomain or IP:Port in the Server Address area.

When finished, click Done at the bottom to save the server to your list.

Select the server from the list and click Join Server near the bottom left corner to connect.

Joining with Bedrock

Other Minecraft versions on PC involve Bedrock, primarily the Windows

10 Edition. This is another type of server that differs from Java, meaning there is another method for joining. It will still use the same IP Address:Port as before, but sometimes it can also work with the Subdomain. This is more popular to use on Geyser servers, as they allow both Java and Bedrock connections.

Open your Bedrock Edition of Minecraft and click Play in the menu.

Then, click on Servers at the top of your screen to reveal the list.

Scroll past the featured servers on the left, then click Add Server.

Proceed to fill in the Server Name, Address, and Port fields as needed.

Important: Make sure to change the default Port if you do not have a dedicated one.

Once everything is completed, click Save in the bottom right corner.

Select your server from the list and click Join Server in the top right corner.

Wait for the server to accept your connection, which may take a short while.

Common Issues

Outdated Minecraft Server

In cases where you receive an outdated server error message, make sure you are using a compatible game version to join. For example, players will not be able to connect on version 1.18.2 if it only has compatibility with version 1.19.3. However, installing the ViaVersion plugin can resolve this issue to accept all versions. Sometimes, the error message will directly tell you what type to use, making it easy to fix in your Minecraft launcher.

No Further Information

Another common issue is receiving the connection refused message that has no further information than that. It may seem a bit incomprehensible at first, but it basically means the server is offline or you have entered the Server Address incorrectly. Make sure everything is online and the information is correct to join successfully. Otherwise, switching between addresses and/or connection methods may help resolve the situation.

Server is Still Starting

Other times, when trying to join the server, it may still be start

ing up. This will return a "still starting" message after attempting to connect.

Simply wait a few minutes and try again or restart the server from the panel to see if that helps. However, in rare cases, the problem may originate from internal issues. If you suspect that is the case, check our optimization guide to troubleshoot the problem.

Unable to Connect to World

Bedrock Edition of Minecraft can be a bit problematic at times due to the game's design, which can give connecting players an error message. This can be due to a wide range of reasons, from an incorrect Geyser setup to the world still generating. Resolving it involves re-adding the server to your list and trying again. However, occasionally, joining a featured server first before connecting to yours can resolve the situation.