How to assign a domain to the Minecraft server

To make it easier for your teammates to join your server, you can assign a domain name to it. Instead of entering a long, complicated IP address in the Minecraft client, they can simply use a memorable URL. If you already own a website, you don’t even need to register a new domain.

Step 1: Set up a Minecraft server and your own domain

If you’re just starting out, you’ll first need to create a Minecraft server. To do this, install the free server software on a server you’ve rented. If you’ve rented a Windows server, ensure that Java is also installed on it. After you’ve opened the appropriate port and entered the IP address in the game client, you and others can enjoy Minecraft together in multiplayer mode.

You also need your own domain. At IONOS, you can register a suitable domain name with just a few clicks. Especially for servers in the gaming sector, one of the new domain endings is suitable. These top-level domains are particularly fitting:

• .builders
• .club
• .fans
• .games
• .gg
• .io
• .world

But there are many more new top-level domains or exclusive domain extensions that can suit your Minecraft server well. When creating your domain, consider wordplay or highlight the local character of your game world.

Step 2: Identify your Minecraft server details

Start by gathering your Minecraft server’s connection details. You’ll need the IP address and the open port. If you’re hosting your Minecraft server with IONOS, you can find this information in your customer account under “Server & Cloud.” Select your server contract to see a list of all servers set up under that instance, along with each server’s IP address. To locate the open port, go to “Network” > “Firewall Policies” in the navigation menu. Make sure to note down both pieces of information.

Step 3: Access domain options

Next, open the domain management section in your customer account. At IONOS, you’ll see a list of all your domains. Select the domain you want to use for your Minecraft server and access the DNS settings via the context menu (click the gear icon). Each domain has various DNS records, which are essentially used to link the domain to one or more servers. If you’re already using the domain for a website, for example, you’ll likely already have an A record set up.

Step 4: Create new domain records

Now you need to create two new records. The first one is an A record, which links your domain name to the IP address of your Minecraft server. At IONOS, click the “Add record” button and select “A” from the list of available record types. You will then see three fields to configure:

• Hostname: By assigning a hostname, you create a specific subdomain for your Minecraft server. For example, entering “minecraft” will create minecraft.example.org. If you want to use the domain exclusively for Minecraft, you can also use the placeholder (@) so the server is accessible directly via example.org.
• Points to: Enter your Minecraft server’s IP address in this field.
• TTL: The TTL (time to live) value determines how often the Domain Name System (DNS) checks the record and applies changes. To make sure your new entry takes effect as quickly as possible, choose the shortest available time period here.

Next, create an SRV record. To do this, click the button to create a DNS record again and then select “SRV” from the list. The following fields must be filled out:

• Service: The service must be named _minecraft.
• Protocol: Make sure that TCP is selected here.
• Hostname: Enter the name here that you have also assigned in the A record (e.g., “minecraft”).
• Points to: Enter the domain in this field that the A record also points to, such as minecraft.example.org.
• Priority: If you create multiple SRV entries for a domain, you can use this value to determine which entry is queried first. If you use the domain only for Minecraft, you don’t need to change the default value.
• Weight: If multiple SRV entries have the same value, the weight determines which entry is considered first. Typically, you can also keep the default value here.
• Port: Enter the port here that you have opened on your server for Minecraft. Typically, this should be port 25565.
• TTL: Choose the smallest value in this field.

You have now linked your domain name with the Minecraft server. Allow some time for the Domain Name System to update with the new information. Even if you entered a low value in the TTL field of both DNS records, the changeover might be slightly delayed.

Step 5: Connect client to server

You and your fellow players can now log into the Minecraft server using the domain. In the game’s start menu, select multiplayer mode and then add a new server. Enter the domain under “Server Address.” You can freely choose the server’s name. Click “Done” to add the server with the software. Now you just need to log in.