How to Join a Minecraft Server – Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Published on February 19, 2026 by seth

Joining a Minecraft server opens up an entire world of multiplayer experiences — from massive survival communities to intense PvP arenas. This guide walks you through exactly how to connect to any server in just a few minutes.

How to Join a Minecraft Server on Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Open Minecraft Java Edition and log in
From the main menu, click Multiplayer
Click Add Server
Enter a Server Name (this is just a label — use anything)
Enter the Server Address — this is the IP you’ll find on each listing at MinecraftServersList.co
Click Done
Select the server from the list and click Join Server

How to Join a Minecraft Server on Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile) uses a slightly different method:

Open Minecraft and go to Play
Click the Servers tab
Scroll down and click Add Server
Enter the server name, IP address, and port number
Click Save then connect

Troubleshooting Common Connection Problems

“Connection Refused” or “Can’t Reach Server”

This usually means the server is offline or you’ve entered the wrong IP. Check the server’s status on our Server Status Checker.

“Outdated Client” or “Outdated Server”

The server requires a specific Minecraft version. Check the server listing for supported versions and change your game version in the Minecraft launcher under “Installations”.

“You are not whitelisted on this server”

The server requires you to be added to a whitelist. Contact the server owner through their Discord or website.

Where to Find Good Servers to Join

Browse MinecraftServersList.co for thousands of verified servers sorted by player count, votes, and game mode. Every listing shows the server IP, current player count, uptime, and player reviews.

What’s the Default Minecraft Port?

Java Edition uses port 25565 by default. If a server uses a non-standard port, you’ll need to add it after the IP with a colon: play.example.com:12345. Bedrock servers default to port 19132.