How to Fix Minecraft Unknown Host Error
Last updated: Mar 31, 2025 • 5 min readPlaying Minecraft on a private server has become an activity that connects people all over the world.
Nonetheless, in the past few Minecraft releases, some users have stated that there’s an annoying bug around.
We are talking about the “Unknown Host” error, which appears when the game has failed to connect to a client.
Of course, there are a lot of reasons why this could happen: IP address issues, network problems, and even problems in your computer related to your operating system (Windows, Mac, and so on).
In any case, we have already evaluated this known bug.
So, search no more - today, we will show you everything you need to know about:
- What does Minecraft “Unknown Host” error message mean?;
- What’s the correct way to connect to Minecraft servers efficiently?;
- Fixing the Unknown Host error quickly.
What Does the “Unknown Host” Bug in Minecraft Mean?
The “Unknown Host” problem is an error message that appears whenever someone can’t connect to a server due to host inconsistencies on the Minecraft client.
Creating new Minecraft servers can be troublesome for some users.
Domain, DNS, network, and other issues might appear on the game’s screen.
While some users experience problems related to gameplay, such as Villagers Not Restocking, some others can’t get online because the Minecraft Server Can’t Keep Up.
One thing is for sure - when you join this new universe, you want to create worlds and play with your friends, so it’s imperative to solve this once and for all.
How to Fix Minecraft Unknown Host Error Message
People that had the same problem (Unknown Host) in the past have found a list of reasons and solutions that can help you solve these problems on your own server.
So, before you lose your head trying to connect to a hosting, try the following fixes first.
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1. Internet Service Provider Issues
Maybe we are not talking about a custom domain name or a DNS server problem and you are just facing connectivity issues.
Try connecting to other platforms instead of Minecraft.
For example, try to load up a Roblox server and see if it works.
If your connection is not the problem and you are still unable to play on a server, then move on to the following fix.
2. DNS Server Issue on a New Server
Go to the main menu, look for the server name, press enter, and connect to the Minecraft server again.
Setting up a new server in Minecraft is a real challenge, and things can go wrong inside the game, whether you use Windows or another OS on your computer.
3. Minecraft Can’t Resolve Hostname
You need to add the host’s name into the host’s files of the server.
Correcting the host name information might definitely remove the Unknown Host problem, since you are manually typing the hostname information required by the system.
Remember that whenever you want to join a game on the menu, the platform needs to figure out the hostname.
Hence, don’t leave a blank space in the files and you might fix the problem before you realize it.
4. Add the IP (Internet Protocol) Address Manually
This solution is really simple and consists of manually adding the IP address of the server with the problem.
Find your IP slots on the server menu and type in the IP address.
The IP address method works for solving other problems as well, so you don’t lose anything trying it out.
5. Make Sure You Are Playing on Supported Servers for Your Game Version
Are you sure that the server you are trying to play on is supported for your Minecraft version?
Maybe it’s not the Internet nor the custom domain name which is messing up with your match.
Remember that servers for Bedrock and Java Editions are different.
In that case, DNS or domain issues won’t be solved unless you change versions - as simple as that.
6. Contact the Support Team
We need to be honest here - if you tried the previously mentioned steps, but nothing seems to work to solve the problem, you need to contact the support team as soon as you have a chance.
Manually typing in the hostname and IP address should be more than enough for you.
Provide all details you need to Support and wait for an answer - they should come back to you in no time.
We hope this quick guide helped you! Remember that for more detailed info, the best way to go is to contact your server’s provider.
FAQ
Why Can’t I Connect to World in Minecraft?
This is a similar error message to the one experienced by Unknown Host issues.
Learn how to Fix Unable Connect to World in Minecraft by reading the guide we have written for you!