To let Java Edition players join with a memorable address instead of an IP address and port, create an A record for a subdomain and an SRV record named _minecraft._tcp.<subdomain>. The A record maps the hostname to your server’s public IP; the SRV record maps that hostname to the Minecraft port. With the default port 25565, the A record is normally sufficient, but a custom port requires both records.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Minecraft Java servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
What you are actually creating
A “custom Minecraft server IP” is usually not a new IP address. Your hosting provider or internet connection already has an IP address. You are creating a DNS name, such as play.example.org, that players can type into Minecraft instead of a numeric address.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Ultimate Collection | Windows Digital Code | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital Code | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Minecraft | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Minecraft - Bedrock Edition PS4 | $42.98 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
DNS separates the job into two records:
- A record: translates a hostname into an IPv4 address, for example
play.example.orgto203.0.113.40. - SRV record: tells a compatible client which service, protocol and port belong to that name. For Minecraft Java Edition, the service is
minecraftand the protocol istcp.
Java Edition has supported Minecraft SRV lookups since version 1.3.1. When a player enters a hostname, the client checks _minecraft._tcp.<hostname>. That is why a player can enter play.example.org even when the server listens on a non-standard port.
The SRV target cannot be a raw IP address. It must be a hostname that itself has an A record. This requirement is the most common reason an apparently correct SRV setup fails.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Choose the right DNS layout first
| Server setup | Records to create | What players enter |
|---|---|---|
| Java server on the default port 25565 | A record for the hostname; an SRV record is optional | play.example.org |
| Java server on a custom port, such as 25570 | A record plus _minecraft._tcp SRV record |
play.example.org, without a port |
| Several servers behind different hostnames | One A record for each hostname; add an SRV record for each custom-port hostname | The hostname for the chosen server |
If the server really uses port 25565, entering the A-record hostname normally works without SRV. Adding SRV anyway is harmless when it is correctly formed, but it adds another record to maintain. If the server uses any other port, create the SRV record; otherwise the client will try the default port.
Prepare the information cPanel needs
Collect these values before opening Zone Editor:
- Your DNS zone: the domain managed by the cPanel account. If nameservers are managed elsewhere, changes made in cPanel may not control the public DNS zone.
- Server public IPv4 address: the address reachable from the internet, not a private address such as
192.168.x.x,10.x.x.xor172.16.x.x. - Player-facing hostname: choose a subdomain such as
play, producingplay.example.org. You can choose another label, but use the same label consistently in both records. - Minecraft port: use 25565 for the default Java configuration or the actual custom port configured by your host.
- A target hostname: the SRV target must be the hostname from your A record, for example
play.example.org, never the numeric IP.
Use the public address assigned to the Minecraft server. If the address changes, the A record must be updated; the SRV record can continue pointing to the same hostname.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Understand the SRV fields before entering them
The generic SRV format is:
_service._proto.name TTL IN SRV priority weight port targetFor Minecraft, the service is minecraft and the protocol is tcp. A complete example for play.example.org on port 25570 is conceptually:
_minecraft._tcp.play.example.org. 14400 IN SRV 0 5 25570 play.example.org.Your cPanel form will normally ask for each field separately rather than requiring that full line. The trailing dot shown in a fully qualified domain name is DNS notation; some control panels add it automatically, while others expect you to omit it. Follow the live form’s convention and verify the saved record afterward.
| cPanel field | Value in the example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Name | _minecraft._tcp.play or the panel’s equivalent full name |
Identifies Minecraft’s TCP service for the chosen hostname. |
| Priority | 0 |
Lower values are preferred when multiple SRV records share the same name. |
| Weight | 5 (or 0) |
Balances traffic among records with the same priority. It has no practical effect when only one record exists. |
| Port | 25565 or your actual server port |
The TCP port on which Minecraft is listening. |
| Target | play.example.org |
The hostname with the A record. Do not enter the IP address here. |
Priority and weight matter when several SRV records have the same service name. For a single Minecraft server, setting priority to 0 and weight to 0 is conventional; a weight of 5, as shown in some cPanel examples, also works because there is no second record with which to balance.
Step-by-step: add the A record in cPanel
1. Open the DNS Zone Editor
- Sign in to cPanel for the account that controls your domain.
- Open Zone Editor.
- Select the domain you want to use.
- Use the dropdown beside Add Record and choose Add A Record.
cPanel hosts can customize labels and layouts, and the exact 2026 interface may differ. Look for the zone-management screen that lets you choose a record type, rather than creating the record through a separate website-builder tool.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
2. Enter the hostname and address
In the Name field, enter the subdomain label, commonly play. Some panels display or require the complete name play.example.org. Do not create a doubled name such as play.example.org.example.org; if the panel automatically appends the zone, enter only the label it expects.
Set TTL to the default value of 14400 seconds if the panel supplies that value. Enter the Minecraft server’s public IPv4 address in the address field, then save the record.
3. Confirm the saved A record
The zone should now contain an A record equivalent to:
play.example.org. 14400 IN A 203.0.113.40The example address is documentation-only; replace it with your server’s real public address. If the panel displays the record with a trailing dot or a fully qualified name, that is normal DNS formatting.
Step-by-step: add the Minecraft SRV record
1. Start a second record in Zone Editor
Return to the same domain in Zone Editor, open the dropdown beside Add Record, and choose SRV. If SRV is not listed, the cPanel account may not expose that record type. In that case, use the DNS provider that actually hosts your domain’s nameservers; do not substitute a TXT or CNAME record.
2. Fill in the service name
For a hostname of play.example.org, the service name is _minecraft._tcp.play when cPanel appends .example.org automatically. If the form expects a full name, enter _minecraft._tcp.play.example.org. The required labels are the leading underscores, minecraft, tcp, and the same subdomain used by the A record.
Rank #3
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Because cPanel field conventions vary, inspect the preview or saved record. The final owner name must resolve to _minecraft._tcp.play.example.org, not merely _minecraft._tcp.example.org unless you intentionally want the root domain’s service.
3. Enter priority, weight, port and target
- Set Priority to
0. - Set Weight to
0or5. Use one value consistently; with one record, neither changes the result. - Set Port to the actual Minecraft port. Use
25565for the default, or your custom value such as25570. - Set Target to
play.example.org, the A-record hostname. Never enter203.0.113.40or another raw IP in this field.
Save the record. The resulting DNS data for a custom port should be equivalent to:
Recommended Free Tools
_minecraft._tcp.play.example.org. 14400 IN SRV 0 5 25570 play.example.org.Allow for DNS propagation and verify the records
DNS changes are cached according to their TTL. A resolver that already cached an older answer may continue returning it until that cache expires, so a record can appear correct in cPanel while a player elsewhere still receives the old data. Test from a connection that is not using the same cached resolver as your administration computer when possible.
From a command prompt with DNS utilities installed, query both records separately:
dig +short A play.example.org
dig +short SRV _minecraft._tcp.play.example.orgOn systems without dig, use:
nslookup play.example.org
nslookup -type=SRV _minecraft._tcp.play.example.orgThe A query should return the server’s public IPv4 address. The SRV query should return four important values: priority, weight, port and target. Confirm that the target is a hostname and that a separate A query for that target returns an address. If the SRV query is empty, the name was entered incorrectly, the record was saved in a different DNS zone, or propagation has not finished.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A Minecraft status checker can provide a second, player-facing test after DNS answers are visible. Such a checker is useful for confirming that the hostname and port lead to a responding server, but it cannot repair an incorrect DNS record or a blocked firewall.
Rank #4
- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
Connect from Minecraft Java Edition
- Start the Java Edition client.
- Choose Multiplayer.
- Select Add Server or Direct Connection.
- Enter
play.example.orgin the server-address field. Do not append:25570when the SRV record is intended to supply the port. - Save or connect, then check the displayed status and latency.
If the server uses port 25565 and you created only the A record, the same hostname should connect using the default port. If the server uses a custom port and you type only the hostname, a working SRV record is what tells Java which port to use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot by symptom
The hostname says “unknown host”
Check the A record first. The hostname must return an address, and the name entered in Minecraft must exactly match the record, including the subdomain. Verify that the domain’s active nameservers point to the DNS zone you edited. A record changes in an inactive cPanel zone will never reach players.
The hostname resolves, but Minecraft uses the wrong port
Query _minecraft._tcp.play.example.org directly. Confirm the SRV owner name, port number and target. A common mistake is creating _minecraft._tcp.example.org while asking players to connect to play.example.org; the client then looks up a different SRV name. Another is leaving the port at 25565 after moving the server to a custom port.
The SRV record appears in cPanel but external queries show nothing
Check whether cPanel is authoritative for the domain. If the registrar or another DNS service supplies the nameservers, create the records there instead. Also check for a duplicated domain suffix caused by entering a full name into a field that automatically appends the zone.
The SRV target is rejected or does not work
Replace a raw IP target with the A-record hostname. For example, use play.example.org, not 203.0.113.40. Then verify that the target’s A record resolves. An SRV record can point to a different hostname if that hostname has its own correct A record, but using the same hostname keeps the setup easier to maintain.
Some players connect and others cannot
Different recursive DNS resolvers may hold old answers until their caches expire. Compare the A and SRV responses from more than one network and wait for the published TTL period. If responses are current everywhere, investigate the server firewall, host firewall and port-forwarding rules separately from DNS; a correct DNS answer does not open a blocked TCP port.
Best Value
- Play and share with friends on console, mobile and Windows 10
- discover community creations in the new in-game store
- access new mini games and game modes through servers
The server moved to a new IP address
Edit the A record and replace the old address with the new public address. Leave the SRV record unchanged if its target hostname and port are still correct. Clients will follow the new A answer after caches expire.
You run more than one SRV record for one name
Review priority and weight deliberately. Lower priority is preferred. Records with the same priority can be selected according to their weights, which is useful for distributing connections but confusing if the records point to unrelated servers. Remove stale records when you no longer intend to offer multiple endpoints.
cPanel-specific details to check before saving
- Name handling: determine whether the form expects a short label or a fully qualified domain name. The saved owner name, not the text you initially typed, is what matters.
- TTL:
14400seconds is a common default shown by cPanel guides. You may see a different host default; record the value because it affects how quickly later changes are observed. - Record type availability: an account can expose A records while hiding SRV editing. Use the authoritative DNS panel if SRV is unavailable.
- Trailing dots: DNS interfaces differ on whether they display or require a final dot on fully qualified names. Do not add a second domain suffix to compensate.
- Save confirmation: verify the record in the zone list after submitting. A form reset is not proof that the record was committed.
Java versus Bedrock Edition
This procedure is specifically established for Minecraft Java Edition’s SRV lookup behavior. Bedrock Edition can use different connection and port rules, especially when a proxy or an unmodified dedicated server is involved. Do not assume that a Java SRV configuration will make a Bedrock client connect without its port. Confirm the Bedrock requirements for the exact server software and client platform before advertising the address to Bedrock players.
Maintenance checklist
- Keep a note of the hostname, A-record address, SRV port and TTL.
- When changing the server port, update the SRV port and test the SRV response before asking players to reconnect.
- When changing the server address, update the A record and leave the SRV target unchanged if the hostname remains the same.
- After every DNS edit, verify both the A and SRV records from outside the cPanel session.
- Tell Java players to enter only the hostname when SRV supplies a custom port; including an old explicit port can bypass the intended configuration.
Minimal working example
Assume the domain is example.org, the chosen hostname is play.example.org, the public server address is 203.0.113.40, and Minecraft listens on port 25570. The required data is:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | play.example.org |
203.0.113.40 |
| SRV | _minecraft._tcp.play.example.org |
Priority 0, weight 5, port 25570, target play.example.org |
After propagation, a Java player enters play.example.org. The client resolves the hostname to the A-record address, consults the Minecraft SRV record, and uses port 25570. If you instead run on port 25565, retain the A record and either omit SRV or set its port to 25565.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
