The three usual reasons a server does not appear in your Minecraft server list, and how to check each one: the server is still starting, the IP or port is wrong, or your version does not match.
When a server shows as offline, unavailable, or just will not appear, it is almost always one of three things. Work through them in order.
Cause 1: the server has not finished starting
A server can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes to fully start, and it will look offline until it is ready.
- Log in to the panel and open your server.
- Open the Console tab. This shows the live server log.
- Watch for the ready line. On most Minecraft servers this is a line that says Done with a startup time, for example Done (12.34s)! For help, type "help".
- Once you see that line, the server is up. Try connecting again.
If the console is not moving at all, or the status is not green, start the server from the Console tab and wait for the ready line.
Cause 2: wrong IP or port
A single wrong digit, or the wrong port, will make the server look like it does not exist.
- In the panel, look at the top of the server view for your address, shown as IP:port.
- Compare it carefully with what you saved in Minecraft.
- On Bedrock especially, make sure the port is the real one from the panel and not the default 19132 that Bedrock fills in for you.
- If anything differs, edit the entry in your server list and paste the address again straight from the panel.
Cause 3: version mismatch
If your client version does not match the server, the entry can show as unavailable or refuse to connect.
- In the panel, open the Startup tab and note the game version, for example 1.21.1.
- Set your Minecraft client to that same version. On Java, pick that version in the launcher. On Bedrock, make sure the app is updated, since Bedrock generally runs the latest version.
- Try again.
Troubleshooting
- Green status in the panel but still not in your list: it is almost certainly the IP, port, or version. Re-check all three above.
- Console shows errors instead of the Done line: the server may be failing to start. Read the last few lines of the console for the reason, or bring them to us on Discord.
- Works for you but not a friend: have them re-enter the exact address and match the version. Their entry may have an old port.
Still stuck? Jump into our Discord at discord.gg/GuavaHost and the team will help you out.