The fastest way to join a Bedrock server on Windows

To join a Bedrock server on your PC, you need the Minecraft Bedrock Edition (also called Minecraft for Windows 10/11), the server's address and port number, and about two minutes to enter them in the right place. Bedrock servers work differently from Java Edition servers — you cannot use a launcher or command line. Instead, you add the server directly through the game's server list menu.

The process is straightforward: open Minecraft Bedrock, go to the Servers tab, select Add Server, paste in the address and port, and join. If the server is public and accepting players, you will connect when ready. If it is a private server, the owner must add your Microsoft account to their allowlist first.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft Bedrock Edition is the only version that connects to Bedrock servers on Windows — Java Edition cannot join them.
  • You need the server's address (the IP or domain) and port number, which the server owner or a server listing site provides.
  • Private servers require the owner to add your Microsoft account to their allowlist before you can join.
  • If you cannot connect, check that the address and port are typed exactly right, and confirm the server is currently running.

Check that you have Minecraft Bedrock Edition installed

Bedrock servers only work with Minecraft Bedrock Edition for Windows. If you own Minecraft Java Edition, you cannot join Bedrock servers with that version — you need the Bedrock version instead. On Windows 10 and 11, Bedrock Edition is sold through the Microsoft Store and is sometimes called "Minecraft for Windows" or "Minecraft Launcher".

To check which version you have, open the Minecraft launcher. If it says "Minecraft Launcher" at the top and shows a list of games including Minecraft, Dungeons, and Legends, you have the newer launcher that includes Bedrock. If it opens directly to a single game window with a main menu, you likely have Java Edition. You can own both versions on the same PC — they are separate purchases and separate installations.

Gather the server address and port number

Before you can join, you need two pieces of information from the server owner or from a public server listing: the server address (an IP address or domain name) and the port number (usually a four or five-digit number). These are almost always provided together, often written as "address:port" — for example, "play.example.com:19132".

If you are joining a friend's private server, ask them directly for both the address and port. If you are looking for a public server, websites like MinecraftServers.org and Findservers.xyz list Bedrock servers with their addresses and ports already formatted. Write down or copy the exact address and port — even a single wrong number will prevent you from connecting.

Add the server through the Servers menu

Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition and click the Servers tab on the main menu (it is usually the second tab after the Play tab). Scroll down past any featured servers and look for a button labeled Add Server at the bottom of the list.

Click Add Server. A form will appear with fields for Server Name, Server Address, and Port. The Server Name is just a label for your own reference — type anything you want (for example, "Friend's Survival World" or "Public PvP Server"). In the Server Address field, paste the address you gathered (without the port number). In the Port field, paste the port number. Leave all other fields at their defaults and click Save.

Connect to the server

After you save, the server will appear in your Servers list. Click on it once to select it, then click the green Join Server button. The game will load and attempt to connect. If the server is running and accepting players, you will spawn in the world within 10 to 30 seconds.

If you see an error message instead, the most common causes are a typo in the address or port, the server being offline, or (for private servers) your Microsoft account not being on the allowlist. Double-check the address and port character by character. If those are correct, wait a few minutes and try again — the server may be restarting. If you still cannot connect to a private server, contact the owner and ask them to confirm your account is allowlisted.

Troubleshoot connection problems

If you see "Unable to connect to world" or a timeout error, first verify that the address and port are exactly correct — copy and paste them again from the source rather than typing from memory. Then check that the server is currently running by asking the owner or visiting the server's status page if one exists.

If the address is correct and the server is running, your Windows firewall may be blocking the connection. Open Windows Defender Firewall, click "Allow an app through firewall", find Minecraft in the list, and make sure it is checked for both Private and Public networks. Restart Minecraft and try again. If you are on a school or workplace network, the network administrator may have blocked gaming ports — in that case, you will not be able to join from that network.

Understand the difference between public and private servers

Public Bedrock servers accept any player who has the address and port. You can join when ready without asking permission. Private servers are restricted — the owner maintains an allowlist of Microsoft accounts that are permitted to join. If you try to join a private server and your account is not on the list, you will see a "You are not allowlisted" message.

If you want to join a private server, contact the owner and give them your Microsoft account name (the email address or username associated with your Microsoft account). They will add you to their allowlist, which usually takes a few minutes. After that, you can join normally. Some private servers also require a password, which the owner will provide separately — if prompted, enter it when you join.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a Bedrock server on my phone or console too?

Yes. Bedrock servers work on Windows PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Your Microsoft account is the same across all devices, so if you are allowlisted on a private server, you can join from any Bedrock device. The steps to add the server are slightly different on mobile and console, but the address and port are the same.

What is the difference between a Bedrock server and a Java server?

Bedrock servers run the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft and use a different protocol than Java servers. Java servers only work with Java Edition. You cannot join a Java server with Bedrock Edition, and vice versa. If a server listing does not specify which type it is, assume it is Java and will not work with Bedrock.

Do I need to pay to join a Bedrock server?

Most public Bedrock servers are free to join. Some servers ask for a donation to support the owner, but you should never be required to pay money to join. If a server demands payment before allowing you in, it is likely a scam.

Why does the server say I am not allowlisted?

The owner has not added your Microsoft account to their allowlist yet, or they added a different account name by mistake. Contact the owner with your exact Microsoft account name (the email or username you use to log in) and ask them to add you. It may take a few minutes to take effect after they add you.

Can I create my own Bedrock server on my PC?

You can run a local Bedrock world that friends can join through your PC if you both are on the same network, but hosting a public Bedrock server requires renting server space from a hosting provider — you cannot run one from your home PC. Providers like Nitrado, Aternos, and Realms offer Bedrock server hosting at various price points.