Players can’t join my server – basic connection checks Print

This article covers basic checks to perform when your server appears to be online but players cannot connect.

1. Confirm the server is actually running

1. Log in to the Game Panel at https://panel.playnhost.com.
2. Select your server and check the status on the dashboard.
3. Make sure the server status shows as Online / Running, not Stopped or in an error state.
4. Look at the console to confirm that the server has finished starting up without obvious errors.

2. Verify the IP and port

5. In the Game Panel or Client Area, find your server’s IP (or hostname) and port.
6. Ask your players to use exactly that IP and port in their game client. For example:
   • 123.45.67.89:25565
   • or yourserver.playnhost.com:port
7. Make sure there are no spaces, extra characters, or wrong numbers when they type it in.
8. If you changed the port or IP recently, confirm that players are using the new details.

3. Check the game version

• Players must use a compatible game version with your server.
• In the Game Panel, check which version your server is running (for example, Minecraft 1.20.x, specific Rust build, etc.).
• Ask your players to make sure their client version matches or is supported by your server (for example, correct Minecraft version or modpack).

4. Whitelist, allowlist and password protection

• If your server uses a whitelist / allowlist, make sure the players’ usernames or IDs are added correctly.
• If the server is password protected, confirm that players are using the correct password with the right capitalisation.
• Check your server configuration in the Game Panel for any setting that limits who can join (for example, “online-mode”, “private server”, etc.).

5. Check for bans or IP blocks

• Some games keep a ban list or blocked IP list.
• If specific players cannot join but others can, make sure they are not banned or blocked in your server’s files or configuration.

6. Restart the server

9. If everything looks correct but players still cannot join, try a clean restart:
   • Warn any online players (if any).
   • In the Game Panel, click Restart.
   • Wait until the console shows that the server is fully online again, then test the connection.

7. When to contact support

If you have checked the steps above and players still cannot connect, please open a support ticket so we can investigate.

• From the Client Area, go to Support → Submit a Ticket.
• Include:
  • The server name and game.
  • The IP and port players are using.
  • Any error messages players see when they try to join.
  • A short description of when the issue started (for example, after adding a mod, changing version, or moving location).

The more detail you provide, the faster we can help identify the cause.