FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Server Questions

How do I find my IP address for friends to join my server?

Answer: The easiest way to find your public IP address is to visit a specialized website from the computer that is hosting the server. This is the address you need to give to your friends.

Popular services include:

  • whatismyipaddress.com
  • icanhazip.com (shows only your IP, nothing else)

You can also simply search on Google for what is my ip.

Note: If you are playing on the same computer that the server is running on, you do not need a public IP. You can connect by entering “localhost” as the server address.

How do I fix the "Failed to verify username" error?

Answer: This error means your server could not verify your Minecraft account with Mojang’s official servers. This usually happens when a player with a non-premium (cracked) account tries to join a premium-only server.

Solution:

  1. Stop your server.
  2. Open the server.properties file in your server’s main folder.
  3. Find the line online-mode=true and change it to online-mode=false.
  4. Save the file and restart your server.

Important: When online-mode is false, players without a paid Minecraft account can join. However, player skins may not display correctly, and your server is less secure.

How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

Answer: The amount of RAM depends on your player count and the number of plugins or mods you use.

  • Playing with friends (1-5 players): 2-3 GB is usually enough.
  • Small public server (10-20 players): 4-6 GB is recommended.
  • Large server (50+ players) or a server with many mods: You will need 8 GB or more.

It’s always better to have slightly more RAM than you think you need, as insufficient RAM is the most common cause of server lag.

Why can't my friends connect to my server? ("Connection timed out")

Answer: This is a very common issue with several possible causes. Check these steps:

  1. Correct IP Address: Make sure you gave your friends your public IP, not your local IP (which looks like 192.168.x.x).
  2. Port Forwarding: The default Minecraft port is 25565. You must open this port in your router’s settings to allow outside traffic to reach your server. Look for a “Port Forwarding” section in your router’s admin panel.
  3. Firewall: Your computer’s firewall (like Windows Defender Firewall) or antivirus software might be blocking incoming connections. Make sure to add an exception for java.exe.
  4. Server is Running: A simple but common mistake—ensure the server console window is actually open and running without any critical errors.