Connect a Domain Minecraft Server

Introduction

Using a custom domain (like play.yourdomain.com) instead of a numeric IP address (like 123.45.67.89:25565) makes your server more professional and much easier for players to remember. This process involves configuring your Domain Name System (DNS) settings through your domain registrar.

Don’t worry—you don’t need any coding experience to complete this setup.

Step 1: Access Your DNS Dashboard

Log in to the website where you purchased your domain (e.g., Namecheap, Cloudflare, or GoDaddy). Navigate to the Management or DNS Settings section for the domain you want to use.

Step 2: Pointing the Domain (The A Record)

An A Record translates your domain name into the numeric IP address of your server. This is the foundation of your connection.

Create a new record with the following details:

• Type: A
• Host (Name): server (or play, or @ if you want to use the root domain)
• Value (Target): Your numeric Server IP without the port.
• TTL: 30 minutes (or Auto)

Note: If you are using a Dedicated IP (port 25565), you are finished! You can now join using server.yourdomain.xyz. If you have a custom port, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Handling Custom Ports (The SRV Record)

If your server has a port other than 25565 (e.g., 123.45.67.89:25570), Minecraft needs an SRV Record to know which port to “hit” when a player types in your domain.

Create a second record with this configuration:

• Type: SRV
• Service: _minecraft
• Protocol: _tcp
• Name (Host): mc (this creates mc.yourdomain.xyz)
• Priority: 0
• Weight: 0
• Port: Your specific server port (e.g., 25570)
• Target: server.yourdomain.xyz (the hostname you created in Step 2)
• TTL: 30 minutes

Step 4: Verification and Propagation

DNS changes are not instant. This process is called propagation.

• Typical Time: 30 minutes.
• Maximum Time: Up to 48 hours.

You can track the progress of your DNS records using tools like DNSChecker.org. Simply search for your SRV record in the format _minecraft._tcp.mc.yourdomain.xyz.

Summary Table

Step 5

All set! The domain will link up now.
This may take up to 48 hours to finish but usually takes around 30 minutes.