Can't connect to a Minecraft server: the errors and how to fix them

A connection error message almost always tells you where the problem lies: the server, your game, your account or your network. Start with one simple check, then look up your message in this guide. Many of these messages stay in English whatever the game's language: that's the name they are listed under here.

First: is the server online?

Paste the server's address into the server tester. If it doesn't answer, the problem isn't on your side: the server is off, under maintenance, or its address has changed. On CubeVote, each server's status page also shows whether it has been online over the last few days. Wait, or check its Discord.

If it does answer, the problem lies between you and the server: read on.

Network errors

Connection timed out

The game got no answer at all. In this order:

• check the address and the port: one typo is enough;
• restart your router and turn off any VPN;
• on a school, office or hotel network, Minecraft's port is often blocked: try another connection, such as your phone's hotspot.

Connection refused

The address exists, but nothing is listening on that port: wrong port, or a server in the middle of a restart. Take the exact address from the server's page, and try again a minute later.

Unknown host

The address name doesn't exist: a typo, an extra space, or an old address. Copy it from the server's page rather than typing it by hand.

io.netty and AnnotatedConnectException

These technical lines (io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException) mean the same as Connection refused or Connection timed out: the connection couldn't be established. Same checks, plus one: allow Java (javaw.exe) through the Windows firewall and your antivirus.

Disconnected in the middle of a game

Timed out or An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host while playing: your connection drops, or the server is overloaded. Use a cable rather than Wi-Fi if you can, stop running downloads, and ask on the server's Discord whether other players have the same issue.

Version errors

Outdated client and Outdated server

Your Minecraft version isn't the server's (depending on the version, the message talks about an incompatible client or server). Client: your game is too old; server: it's too new. In the launcher, open Installations, then New installation, choose the version given on the server's page, and launch that installation.

Mod errors

Mod rejections, Incompatible FML modded server, or a list of missing mods: the server is modded and your game doesn't have the same mods. Install exactly the modpack and version the server announces, from CurseForge or Modrinth for instance.

Account errors

Failed to verify username

The server couldn't check your account with Microsoft. Close the game and the launcher, log out of the launcher, then log back in. If the error hits everyone at once, Microsoft's login servers are having an incident: wait.

Invalid session

Same cause, same fix: your session has expired. Restart the launcher, log out and log back in.

Multiplayer is disabled

Multiplayer is blocked in your Microsoft account settings, very often a child account. It's all explained in Minecraft multiplayer disabled.

When the server turns you away

Message	What it means	What to do
You are not white-listed on this server	the server is reserved for a list of players	ask the staff for access
You are banned from this server	you have been banned	read the reason, appeal on the Discord
The server is full	no free slot left	try again a bit later
Kicked for spamming, Flying is not enabled	kicked by a plugin	reread the rules, report a mistake

A kick from the anti-cheat can be a mistake: a client-side mod, a minimap for instance, is sometimes enough to trigger it. Ask the staff which mods are allowed rather than retrying over and over.

On Bedrock

The "Unable to connect to world" message covers several causes:

• the port: Bedrock usually uses 19132, not 25565;
• a Java server without Geyser can't be joined from Bedrock;
• your game is not up to date: install the latest update from your device's store;
• on console, you have to use one of the methods in the guide Minecraft servers on Switch, PS5 and Xbox.

Still stuck?

If the server answers the tester and none of this works, write to its staff, on its Discord or website, with the exact message, your edition and your version. And if you're looking for another server in the meantime, the CubeVote ranking shows which ones are online right now.