Can't connect to servers added with an IP address (Minecraft version 1.5.3 ) (PC)

If you are experiencing a "connection refused" error when trying to connect to a Minecraft Java server, there are several potential causes and solutions.

1. Check server status: First, ensure that the server is online and running. If you are not the server owner, check with them to confirm that the server is running and that you have the correct IP address and port number.
   
2. Check firewall settings: If you are hosting the server, check your firewall settings to make sure that the port used by the server (default is 25565) is open and allowing incoming connections. If you are connecting from a different network, check that the network's firewall is not blocking the connection.
   
3. Check server settings: If the server is running but you still cannot connect, check the server settings to ensure that it is configured to accept connections from your IP address. If the server is set to only allow connections from certain IP addresses, make sure that your IP address is on the list.
   
4. Restart server and/or client: Try restarting both the server and your Minecraft client to see if that resolves the issue.
   
5. Use the correct Minecraft version: Make sure that you are using the correct version of Minecraft to connect to the server. If the server is running an older version of Minecraft, you may need to switch to that version to connect.
   
6. Use a different DNS server: Sometimes, the DNS server you are using can cause connection issues. Try using a different DNS server or resetting your DNS settings to see if that resolves the issue.
   

If none of these solutions work, there may be a more serious issue with the server or your connection. You can try contacting the server owner or your internet service provider for further assistance.

Same issue are comes to my client website With this process I am fixing You can check here the proof. https://apunkagames.cc/

I see, in this case Check your internet connection, ensure that your internet connection is stable and functioning properly. If your connection is weak or intermittent, it may affect your ability to connect to Minecraft servers.

Verify server addresses: Double-check the server addresses you're trying to connect to. Make sure you have entered the correct server address, including the IP address or domain name, and the port number if necessary. Types or incorrect information can prevent you from connecting to the servers.

Check firewall and antivirus settings: Firewalls and antivirus software on your computer may be blocking your connection to Minecraft servers. Temporarily disable any firewall or antivirus software and try connecting again.

Test with different servers: Try connecting to different Minecraft servers to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is specific to certain servers or if it's a general connectivity issue. You can find a list of popular Minecraft server listings online and try connecting to different ones.

Restart your router/modem: Power off your router and modem, then unplug them from the power source. Wait for about 30 seconds, then plug them back in and power them on. This process helps refresh your network connection and may resolve any temporary issues.

Update Minecraft: Make sure you have the latest version of Minecraft installed. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can address connectivity issues. Check for any available updates in the Minecraft launcher and install them if necessary.

@HoveringPath94 - The DCHP server is actually a protocol that make things a bit easier for a device on your network to dynamically learn an IP address along with the corresponding subnet mask, the IP address of your gateway (router), and the IP address of
a DNS server. The DHCP server leases out IP addresses from its pool of addresses. These addresses can be dynamically learned by your Xbox, Smartphone, PC, Mac, or any device that request an IP address from the DHCP server.

DHCP reservation will reserve an address from the DHCP's pool of addresses, so that the server will ignore this specific address to be leased if another device comes along and try to make a claim to this address.

If your router support DHCP reservation, there's a list of connected devices that the DHCP knows about. These are listed as names for each device (XML/UPnP) with its corrensponding MAC address.

You can type in any IP address as your reserved address, but it has to be unique, meaning, this address can't be in use by another device on your local network. And it has to be an address within the DHCP servers pool of addresses.

When you're done, the DHCP server will assign your console with the configured address and reserve this for as long as until you manually remove this configuration.

i run a minecraft server and for my kids to access it via xbox one they require the ip, thats it, even their friends join, basically only people i trust. but yes you can use an ip only. on minecraft for xbox, phone, switch, playstation and pc.

i use the bedrock server software.

Dear bobbyspot



Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community



Based on your description, I understand that you are unable to join your friends Minecraft server, please point out if I am misunderstanding.



Here are some of my suggestions



Check if the Server Address is Correct

• Make sure the server IP address and port number you entered are completely correct. You can ask the server owner to confirm the address again.
  
• If a custom port number is set, make sure you are entering it in the correct format when connecting,
  

Ensure Mods and Versions Match Exactly

• Mod Consistency: Check if the mods in your CurseForge profile match the mods on the server exactly, including version numbers. The server owner can send you the mod pack that is currently running on the server for comparison.
  
• Minecraft Version: Make sure your version of Minecraft matches the server's main version (e.g., 1.18.2, 1.19, etc.).
  
• Some derivative mod packs may have slight differences, so it’s advisable to directly import the mod files provided by your friend.
  

Network Connection and Ping Issues

• Check Network Connection: Use the following to see if the issue lies with your network:
  
  • Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac), type ping [Server IP Address], and check if the connection is stable.
    
  • If you cannot ping the server, it could be a network issue, or the server side may have blocked your connection.
    
• Test with VPN: Try using a VPN to change your IP address and then connect to the server. Sometimes network routing problems can cause connections from specific regions to fail.
  

Check Firewall and Antivirus Software

• Make sure your firewall isn’t blocking the network connection for Minecraft or CurseForge.
  
• Temporarily disable antivirus software (or allow network access for CurseForge and Minecraft) and try connecting to the server again.
  
• If you are using a router, check if it has a protection function enabled that blocks certain ports; you can temporarily disable it for testing.
  

Server-Side Issues

• Have the server owner check the server logs for any records of your connection attempts:
  
  • Are there any error messages when attempting to connect?
    
  • Did your account accidentally get blocked due to your IP or some configuration, even without a whitelist?
    
• Even though the server doesn’t have a whitelist, there might still be a connection failure due to network issues that unintentionally blocked you.
  

Clear Cache and Reinstall Mods

• Delete your existing mod folder and reinstall the mod pack from CurseForge.
  
• Delete and reinstall your CurseForge launcher and Minecraft game files to ensure there are no potential configuration errors.
  

Try Direct Connection to the Server

• In addition to using the CurseForge launcher, you can attempt to connect directly via the Minecraft vanilla launcher, loading the mod pack and joining the server to test.
  

I wish you all the best

Carmid.L-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist