How to Join a Minecraft Java Server (Complete Guide)

New to Minecraft? Learn how to add, join, and Troubleshoot your first multiplayer server connection in the Java Edition.

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How to Join a Minecraft Java Server (Complete Guide)

Minecraft is best played with friends. If you've just bought the game and want to join a community, a friend's world, or a professional network, here's exactly how to do it.

1. What You Need

• Minecraft Java Edition: This guide is for the PC version (Java) only.
• A Server IP Address: This looks like play.myserver.com or a series of numbers like 123.456.78.910.
• The Correct Version: Your game must match the version the server is running (typically 1.21.1).

2. Steps to Join

1. Launch Minecraft: Java Edition.
2. From the main menu, click Multiplayer.
3. You may see a "Third Party Server" warning. Click Proceed.
4. Click Add Server at the bottom.
5. In the Server Name box, you can type anything (e.g., "ShyamPractice").
6. In the Server Address box, type the IP address exactly as provided.
7. Click Done.
8. Find the server in your list and Double-Click it (or select it and click Join Server).

3. Common Connection Errors

• "Failed to Verify Username": This means you are using a "cracked" or unofficial launcher on a server that requires a paid Minecraft account.
• "Connection Refused": The server might be offline, or you typed the IP address incorrectly.
• "Incompatible Version": Make sure you use the same version of Minecraft as the server (e.g., if the server is 1.21.1, you should be too).

Related Tutorials:

• How to Join Custom Bedrock Servers
• Mastering Your PvP Skills
• How to Change Your Character Skin