How to Add a Server IP in Minecraft Step by Step

Adding a server IP in Minecraft takes less than a minute once you know which menu to open, which field to use, and whether your server needs a custom port.

This is one of the most common sticking points for new Minecraft players. You may have the right server address, but Java, Bedrock, and Pocket Edition place the server-entry fields in slightly different places. This guide walks through each version and explains the errors that usually appear when something goes wrong.

Before You Start: Confirm the Address Format

A Minecraft server address can be a plain numeric IP, a domain name, or an address with a custom port. The official Minecraft Help guide explains the Java flow for adding or directly entering multiplayer server addresses in its Minecraft Java multiplayer server guide.

• Plain IP: 192.168.1.100
• IP with port: 192.168.1.100:25565
• Domain: play.someserver.net
• Domain with port: play.someserver.net:19132

Java Edition uses port 25565 by default. Bedrock and Pocket Edition commonly use port 19132. If the server owner gives you a custom port, copy the full address exactly.

Adding a Server IP in Java Edition

Java Edition has the most straightforward multiplayer menu. The key field is called Server Address.

Step-by-Step: Java Edition

1. Open Minecraft Java Edition and wait for the main menu.
2. Click Multiplayer.
3. If an online-play warning appears, click Proceed.
4. Click Add Server.
5. In Server Name, type any label you want.
6. In Server Address, paste or type the server IP or domain.
7. Leave resource pack settings at default unless the server owner told you otherwise.
8. Click Done, select the server, and click Join Server.

Java Address Examples

Adding a Server IP in Bedrock and Pocket Edition

Bedrock Edition covers Windows 10/11, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile-style interfaces. Pocket Edition on Android and iOS follows nearly the same pattern.

Step-by-Step: Bedrock Edition

1. Open Minecraft and go to Play.
2. Select the Servers tab.
3. Scroll past the featured servers and choose Add Server.
4. Enter a server name, the server address, and the port.
5. Use 19132 unless the server owner provides a different Bedrock port.
6. Click Save, then select the server to join.

Step-by-Step: Pocket Edition

1. Open Minecraft PE and tap Play.
2. Tap the Servers tab.
3. Scroll down and tap Add Server.
4. Enter the server name, server address, and port.
5. Tap Save, then tap the server entry to connect.

Java vs Bedrock Port Table

Cross-Play Limitations

Java and Bedrock are separate versions. A Java server cannot normally be joined from Bedrock, and a Bedrock server cannot normally be joined from Java. Crossplay requires a bridge layer.

GeyserMC is one common bridge for letting Bedrock players connect to Java servers, and the Geyser setup documentation explains how server owners configure that kind of support. If an IP fails even though it looks correct, confirm that you and the server are using the same edition.

Suggested Video: Java and Bedrock Crossplay

This short walkthrough is useful if you want to understand why Java and Bedrock addresses do not always work interchangeably, and how server owners can bridge the editions.

How to Check the IP Before You Join

Before troubleshooting inside the game, check the basics: the address, port, edition, and server status. A server can be typed correctly and still fail because it is offline, firewalled, overloaded, or using a different version.

• Paste the address into a Minecraft server status checker.
• Confirm the server version and edition.
• Check whether the player count and MOTD load.
• Make sure the port matches Java or Bedrock.
• Try joining only after the status check responds.

Fixing Common Connection Errors

Connection Refused

This usually means the game reached the IP but nothing is listening on the expected port. Confirm the server is running, verify the port, and ask whether a firewall is blocking incoming connections.

Can't Resolve Hostname

This means the domain name could not be translated to an IP address. Check for typos, missing letters, extra spaces, expired domains, or DNS issues.

Timed Out

A timeout means the client tried to connect but did not receive a response in time. The server may be overloaded, offline, blocked by the network, or too far away from your route.

Outdated Client or Outdated Server

Your Minecraft version does not match the server. In Java Edition, use the Minecraft Launcher’s Installations tab to switch versions if the server requires an older release.

Wrong Edition

If all details look right and the connection still fails, double-check that you are not using a Java client for a Bedrock server, or a Bedrock client for a Java-only server.

IP Routing Matters Beyond Minecraft

For most players, adding a server IP is a one-time task. For server owners, uptime tools, QA teams, and network-dependent products, IP routing, ports, and regional reachability become serious infrastructure concerns.

LycheeIP supports responsible workflows where teams need to compare access from different locations, test public-facing services, or understand route behavior. Dynamic residential proxies can help with distributed testing, while static IPs are better for stable, repeatable checks.

For high-speed or scaled technical workflows, datacenter proxies may be the better fit. You can start from the LycheeIP IP services page and choose the IP type that matches your use case.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Copying extra spaces before or after the server IP.
• Using a Java address on Bedrock or a Bedrock address on Java.
• Forgetting the custom port when the server provides one.
• Trying to join before the server has fully started.
• Using a local LAN address like 192.168.x.x from outside the same network.
• Forgetting to save the server entry on Bedrock or Pocket Edition.

For technical monitoring outside normal gameplay, teams can combine static proxy routes, dynamic IP pools, and datacenter IP infrastructure to compare reachability more consistently.

Conclusion

Adding a server IP in Minecraft is simple once you know the right menu. Java uses Multiplayer, then Add Server. Bedrock and Pocket Edition use Play, then Servers, then Add Server. The two details that matter most are the server address and the port.

If the connection fails, the error usually points toward the cause: wrong port, wrong edition, DNS issue, version mismatch, firewall block, or an offline server. Work through those checks and you can usually identify the issue quickly.

For broader IP-dependent testing, LycheeIP offers flexible proxy infrastructure across dynamic residential IPs, static proxies, and datacenter proxy options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I type a server IP in Minecraft Java Edition?

Go to Multiplayer, click Add Server, and type the IP or domain into the Server Address field. Then click Done and select the server to join.

Where do I enter a server IP in Minecraft Bedrock Edition?

Go to Play, select the Servers tab, scroll to Add Server, enter the server address and port, then save.

What port does Minecraft Java Edition use?

Java Edition uses port 25565 by default. If a server uses a different port, include it after a colon.

What port does Minecraft Bedrock and Pocket Edition use?

Bedrock and Pocket Edition commonly use port 19132. Always confirm the port with the server owner.

Why does it say connection refused?

The server may be offline, the port may be wrong, or a firewall may be blocking the connection.

Can I join a Java server from Bedrock?

Not by default. The server needs crossplay support through a bridge such as GeyserMC.

Why does it say can't resolve hostname?

The domain could not be found. Check for typos, DNS issues, expired domains, or ask for the raw IP.

Can I join from a school or work network?

Many school and work networks block gaming ports. Try another network only where permitted.

What does outdated client mean?

Your Minecraft version does not match the server. Use the correct version for that server.

Do I need to re-enter the server IP every time?

No. Once saved, the server entry stays in your server list unless you delete it.