Minecraft Server Connection Timed Out Error (EASY Fix!)

Minecraft is a well-known video game that has existed for a while. This game offers a distinct gaming experience by letting you explore several worlds.

But I have recently been griping about getting the “connection timed out” error. I have found that a lot of Minecraft users have experienced this too!

This is especially frustrating as a multi-player gamer, but I was able to fix this Minecraft server connection timed out error. Here’s what you can also do to get back online and play!

What Causes the Minecraft Server Connection Timed Out Error on Windows?

There aren’t many specific causes for this issue, and they are all connected to the same underlying issue: something is preventing the game from connecting to the Internet properly. It can be your firewall, router, or the antivirus program you have on your computer.

If your antivirus software doesn’t identify Minecraft as a legitimate program, it may prohibit you from accessing the Internet properly. Although the issue may also be with the port that is used by default, Windows Defender Firewall is infamous for preventing legitimate apps from connecting to the Internet. The port is 25565, and it may be restricted in your router, therefore you must forward it.

How to Fix Connection Timed Out Error on Minecraft

1. Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Tool

Although free antivirus software can be very beneficial and effective at protecting your computer, there are occasions when it just doesn’t get along with other software and interferes with Minecraft’s ability to connect to the Internet. If your antivirus is causing this issue while it is running, think about getting a new one.

• Click the Start button and then search for the Control Panel.

• Select View as – Category in the top right corner of the Control Panel and then click Uninstall a Program under the Programs section.

• If you’re using the Settings app, tapping on Apps should bring up a list of all installed application programs on your PC.

• Find your antivirus program in Settings or Control Panel and select Uninstall.
• Follow the on-screen directions to uninstall it after the uninstall wizard has opened.
• As soon as the uninstaller is finished, click Finish. Restart your PC to see if any errors remain.
• Ensure that you choose a more effective antivirus option. Look to check whether other players encounter the Minecraft “Server connection timed out” problem when attempting to connect to your server.

2. Use a Different Version of Minecraft

Minecraft frequently receives updates to address various problems and quirks, but occasionally these new updated versions aren’t supported by all active servers. As a result, in this stage, we will enter a server using a different version of Minecraft. 

• Select the “Installations” button in the Minecraft Launcher after launching the game.

• On the Versions dropdown menu and select New.
• Choose any other game version besides the one that is presently running from this menu. Then click “Create“. 

• Following this, that version will start to download and be included to the installation menu.
• Now that you have chosen this version, try connecting to your preferred server. See if this resolves the problem for you.

3. Forward the 25565 Port in Your Firewall

For the entire game to work properly, certain ports on the server computer must be enabled. Following the instructions below will allow this port to pass and solve the issue. This must be done under Windows Firewall.

• Go to the Control Panel by typing its name into the Start menu, then select System and Security, followed by Windows Firewall.
• In the left area of the screen, select Advanced Settings and click Inbound Rules.
• Right-click the Inbound Rules folder and select New Rule. Select Port from the Rule type section. In the initial set of radio buttons, choose TCP or UDP depending on the port you are using, then change the second radio button to “Specific local ports“. To resolve the Minecraft server issue, you must specify the 25565 port for both TCP and UDP.
• In the following window, select the radio button to Allow the connection and then click Next.
• Select the network type for which you wish to apply this rule. Before clicking Next, it’s advised that you maintain all of the settings checked if you frequently switch between different network connections.
• Click Finish after giving the rule a name that makes sense to you. Look to check whether other players encounter the Minecraft “Server connection timed out” problem when attempting to connect to your server.

4. Use Commands

In some circumstances, there can be problems where the game servers are blocking the IP or the Internet connection. As a result, in this stage, you’ll use certain commands to restore the internet connection. To achieve that:

• To launch the command prompt, press “Windows” and “R.”
• To provide administrator rights, type “cmd” and press “Shift” + “Ctrl” + “Enter.”

• After entering each of the ensuing commands, hit “Enter.”

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /renew

netsh int ip

netsh int ip set dns

netsh winsock reset

• Restart your computer to allow the changes to take place, and then check to see if the problem has been resolved.

5. Forward the Port in Your Router

Check to see if your router is not using port 25565 for anything else before using Wi-Fi to access the Internet. To achieve that, you must give your PC a static IP address and direct the port to the computer. It will take some time, but it is the only option if all else has failed! Please follow the directions below.

• Type “cmd” or “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right click and Run as administrator. 
• Enter the command “ipconfig/all’ in the open Command Prompt window then scroll down to the network adapter that matches the connection you are now using. Note the DNS, MAC, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway.
• After that, press Windows + R to launch the Run dialog box, where you must type “ncpa.cpl” into the text field and click OK to reveal the Control Panel for Internet Connection settings.
• Choose the Properties option by left-clicking the active network adapter on the list, find the entry for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click it.

• After tapping it to select it, choose Properties from the menu that appears.
• Keep your cursor on the General tab, and in the Properties window, change the radio button to “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, respectively. 

• Change the setting to “Use the following IP address” and enter the same Default Gateway you noted, but change the last digit after the last dot to something different. Fill out the remaining information in the same manner that you took notes.

It’s time to access your router and enable a few ports.

• Open your web browser, enter your IP address (Default Gateway number) into the address bar, and then click Enter. A username and password must be entered. 
• Locate the Enable Manual Assignment setting and select Yes using the radio button. Select the window that allows you to input the MAC address and the IP address of your choice, and then enter everything you have acquired in the previous steps for your specific computer in that window.
• Once you’ve finished, click the Add button to add the IP address of your console to your router.
• While logged into the router’s interface, locate the Port Forwarding section. This will differ depending on the router.
• Insert a range of ports under Start and End; alternatively, use single port for internal and external traffic. You simply need to forward port 25565, specifically for Minecraft servers. Ensure that you include it for TCP and UDP.
• Enter the static IP address you set for your PC in the preceding steps. After that, select the Enable option if present.
• To completely implement these changes, click the Save or Apply button and be sure to restart both your router and your computer. Check to see if the people that attempted to join your server are still experiencing server timeout issues!

6. Check the Server Status

In other circumstances, the problem may be with the server rather than the game or DNS. The server’s status will therefore be checked and confirmed in this stage. To accomplish that:

• Click here to get to the server check site.

• Enter the server’s IP and click “Get Server Status”.
• Confirm if the server is working.

7. Get a VPN

Your ISP may have blacklisted a few websites or IP addresses, which could cause this problem. So, it is advisable to install a VPN to access the server and to ensure the connection is enabled before beginning the game. Research for VPN that is most effective for you.

8. Allowing Server Through Firewall

In some cases, the Java Platform may be restricted by Windows Firewall, blocking the connection from being created. Inform the server administrator to perform these actions on the machine that hosts the server as well, particularly if you are gaming on a private server.

• To access the Run prompt, press “Windows” + “R”.
• Access the control panel, type “Control” and hit “Enter” to access the Control Panel.
• Click on “Windows Defender Firewall” from the “System and Security” menu.

• Click the “Allow an App or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” button in the left pane then click the “Change Settings” tab.

• For Java Platform SE Binary, scroll down and make sure to check both public and private.
• After making your changes, click “Apply” to save them and see if the problem still exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In case you face Minecraft server connection timed out error you should try all the solutions mentioned above to see which can solve your issue. I’m sure one of the solutions will be of help and you’ll get back to enjoying your gaming.