You can let players join with a hostname such as mc.example.com instead of typing an IP address and port. In Namecheap, create an A record for the hostname and an SRV record that tells Minecraft which port to use. The A record contains only the server IP; the SRV record contains the port and points to a hostname, never directly to an IP.
Prefer not to run the server on your own PC? Godlike.Host offers hosted Minecraft Java servers with free DDoS protection and up to three free backups a day.
The procedure below is for domains using Namecheap BasicDNS, FreeDNS or PremiumDNS. Record labels can vary slightly in the current control panel, so verify the saved SRV name after you create it.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What a custom Minecraft address actually is
A custom Minecraft address is a DNS name, not a second public IP address. Your server keeps its existing IP. DNS translates a memorable name into that IP, while an SRV record can also publish a non-default port for Minecraft Java Edition.
| Record | What it does | Important value |
|---|---|---|
| A | Maps a hostname such as mc.example.com to the server’s IPv4 address. |
The IP address only; do not append :port. |
| SRV | Tells Minecraft which service, protocol, port and destination hostname to use. | The server’s actual port and a hostname target, not an IP address. |
When a player enters mc.example.com, Minecraft looks for the SRV service _minecraft._tcp.mc.example.com. If the SRV record is absent or malformed, the game can still use the A record, but only when the server listens on the port Minecraft expects for a direct connection. An SRV record is therefore essential when your server uses a custom port.
#1 Best Overall
- BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES: Our blue light glasses for women boast UV400 protection, blocking harmful blue rays from computer screens. With these bluelight glasses women, you can enjoy gaming, reading, or watching TV with no worries of eye strain.
- EYE RELIEF: Our blue light glasses are engineered to reduce blurry vision or strain caused by prolonged screen time. These womens blue light glasses aid in better sleep by preventing blue light from disrupting your natural sleep cycle, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful night's sleep, making them the perfect christmas present.
- COMFORTABLE: Crafted from durable material, our trendy blue light glasses for woman or blue light glasses men ensure long-lasting comfort. The high-transmittance lenses accessories, gamer gifts for men, help keep your eyes relaxed. Perfect stocking stuffers, gifts for gamers men, christmas gifts for men, halloween costumes.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: These clear blue light glasses feature a lightweight frame, meaning they’ll stay comfy for long-term wear. Perfect as blue blockers glasses for women or mens blue light glasses, these non-prescription fake glasses for men can be worn throughout the day. The blue light blocking glasses women feature polycarbonate HD lenses, which are anti-reflective and restore true color.
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: If you experience any issues, our support team is ready to assist you quickly. These are the perfect costume glasses for cosplay dressing up.
Requirements before changing DNS
- A registered domain managed through Namecheap.
- The domain must use Namecheap BasicDNS, FreeDNS or PremiumDNS nameservers. Namecheap’s SRV records do not work when another provider’s nameservers are authoritative.
- The server’s current public IP address.
- The exact port on which the Minecraft server is listening. Obtain it from the server configuration or hosting panel rather than assuming a value.
- A hostname you want players to type, such as
mc, which becomesmc.example.com. - Access to Namecheap’s Advanced DNS page.
DNS only points players to your server. It does not open a firewall port, start the server, reserve a static IP, or change the port in server.properties. Those jobs must already be handled on the machine or hosting service running Minecraft.
Step 1: Confirm that Namecheap is authoritative for the domain
- Sign in to Namecheap and open your domain list.
- Choose Manage for the domain you want to use.
- Open the Nameservers setting and check that the selected service is Namecheap BasicDNS, FreeDNS or PremiumDNS.
- If the nameservers belong to a different DNS provider, create the records there instead, or switch nameservers only after understanding the effect on every existing website, mail and verification record.
Do not add records in Namecheap’s panel and assume they are live when another provider is authoritative. The authoritative nameserver is the service that answers the internet’s DNS queries.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsStep 2: Collect the exact server values
Write down these values before opening the record editor:
- Public IP: for example,
203.0.113.42. This is an example format, not an address to copy. - Port: the number configured for your server, such as
25565if that is what your own server uses. A port shown in an unrelated guide or search query is not evidence of your server’s port. - Player hostname: for example,
mc.example.com. - Target hostname: normally the full hostname represented by your A record, such as
mc.example.com. The SRV target must be a hostname, never the numeric IP.
If your host gives you a hostname as well as an IP, decide which hostname should be the SRV target. The target needs an A record that resolves to the Minecraft server. Do not put a protocol prefix such as http:// in any DNS field.
Step 3: Add the A record
- In the domain’s management screen, open Advanced DNS.
- Choose Add New Record and select A Record.
- Set Host to the short label you want players to use, such as
mc. Namecheap appends your domain, producingmc.example.com. - Set Value to the server’s public IP address with no port, brackets or punctuation. Enter
203.0.113.42, not203.0.113.42:25565. - Leave TTL at Automatic unless you have a specific DNS-management reason to choose another value. Namecheap commonly displays a 30-minute default, but the exact label and default can change.
- Save the record.
The A record is the foundation for the hostname. If it points to the wrong machine, a correctly formatted SRV record will still send players to the wrong destination.
Rank #2
- WINDEX GAMING WIPES: effortlessly clean all your gaming gear and gaming electronics in one easy step with our new Windex Gaming Wipes
- AMMONIA FREE: our ammonia-free formula is safe to use on all of your favorite gaming equipment like consoles, headsets, controllers, screens, keyboards, and more
- PRE-MOISTENED WIPES: each wipe instantly removes dust, dirt, and stubborn smudges and fingerprints leaving a streak-free shine
- ANTI-STATIC: great for cleaning and wiping down your gaming gear and electronics leaving behind no visible residue
- COMPACT RESEALABLE PACKAGE: store your pack of Windex Gaming Wipes anywhere in your home for whenever a quick and easy wipedown is needed
Step 4: Add the Minecraft SRV record
- Remain in Advanced DNS and select Add New Record.
- Choose SRV Record from the record-type list.
- Enter the service, protocol, priority, weight, port and target values shown below.
- Save the record, then inspect the saved entry before testing it.
| SRV field | Value | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Service | _minecraft |
Identifies the Minecraft service. |
| Protocol | _tcp, sometimes combined with the host label as described below |
Java Edition server connections use TCP. |
| Priority | 0 |
Use the lowest priority for a single destination. |
| Weight | 5 |
Use the commonly documented value for this setup; it matters mainly when several records share a priority. |
| Port | Your server’s actual listening port | Copy the number from the server configuration or host panel. |
| Target | The full hostname, such as mc.example.com |
Use a hostname with an A record. Never enter the numeric IP here. |
| TTL | Automatic | The default is suitable for most personal servers. |
For a server at mc.example.com, the finished DNS name that Minecraft queries should be _minecraft._tcp.mc.example.com. The exact way you express the mc portion depends on the Namecheap editor layout.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Handling Namecheap’s Host and Protocol field ambiguity
Guides for Namecheap’s SRV editor do not all describe the subdomain in the same field. One layout puts the short hostname in a separate Host or Name field. Other layouts show the subdomain appended to the protocol, for example _tcp.mc. Older community instructions also describe this combined format. These instructions are different ways of entering the same DNS owner name, not different Minecraft settings.
Layout A: separate host or name field
If the editor provides Service, Protocol and Host (or Name) separately, use:
- Service:
_minecraft - Protocol:
_tcp - Host or Name:
mc
Keep priority, weight, port, target and TTL as described in the table.
Layout B: protocol field includes the subdomain
If the editor has no separate host field and its instructions expect the label in the protocol value, enter _tcp.mc in that field. Leave the service as _minecraft. Do not add the domain twice; Namecheap supplies the domain suffix when it saves the record.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Ergonomic & Adjustable Design: Fight "text neck" and improve your posture. Designed for comfort, it offers an adjustable height (7.1in-8.5in) (1.4in adjustable range) and angle (5°-85°) Please note: cell phone stand is only 9 inches tall—the length of a standard pencil
- Without blocking subtitles Perfect for office desk Tiktok Face Time Zoom video—this is the ultimate kitchen desk essential for phones! Perfect viewing experience while reducing neck back strain, A must-have for gamers streamers desk, and anyone who values both style and support!
- Sleek & Stable Design fits Otterbox Case: Say goodbye to bent cables, tangles, and tip-overs! LISEN’s stylish adjustable desk phone holder features a built-in charging hole and smart cable management, keeping your phone secure and your workspace clutter-free cool gadgets for men
- ANTI-SLIP DESIGN free hands: The under 10.00 items easy gadgets back and the bottom of this kitchen essentials for women are fully covered by anti-skid silicone, which LISEN stand up desk decor can provide maximum protection device from any scratches and slides
- Your Perfect Viewing Companion:If your product arrives damaged or breaks within 365 days, reach out to LISEN for a quick and hassle-free solution. Struggling with assembly, like tightening the screw? We’ve got your back! Your experience matters to us. (Product including: phone Holder stand*1, screw*1, hexagon screwdriver*1, specification*1)
How to decide which layout you have
Save the record and read the resulting entry. The record is correct only if its owner corresponds to _minecraft._tcp.mc.example.com (substitute your own domain and label). If the saved name is missing mc, contains it twice, or places it after the domain incorrectly, edit the record and move the label to the other supported field. The saved DNS name, rather than the appearance of the form before saving, is the reliable check.
Step 5: Verify the records outside the Namecheap form
Allow the record to publish, then query the public DNS system. A DNS lookup should show both the SRV record and the A record for its target.
Using a command line
On macOS or Linux, run:
dig SRV _minecraft._tcp.mc.example.com +shortReplace the hostname with yours. A successful response includes priority, weight, port and target hostname. Then check the target:
dig A mc.example.com +shortOn Windows, the equivalent query is:
nslookup -type=SRV _minecraft._tcp.mc.example.comIf you prefer a web-based DNS lookup service, query the SRV name exactly as shown above. Check from more than one network if possible; local DNS caches can retain an older answer.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What a correct response looks like
The SRV response should show the port configured on your server, the target hostname you entered and the priority and weight you selected. The A lookup for that target should return the server’s public IP. An SRV response that returns an IP in the target column is not correctly formatted, even if the address is numerically right.
Rank #4
- Easy Installation: Our gaming lights have been designed to enhance your entertainment experience. Simply position the led light bar next to your TV or game console to create a game room environment with ease. They come with USB power and a 60 inch cord for direct mounting and mobility
- Audio Syncing & Extensive Mode: The built-in high-sensitivity music sensor allows you to sync the TV led lights to your favorite music. Lights react and move to the beat of music, film and game audio, creating an incredible immersive sound and light experience – and all without the need for an additional hub. You can choose from 64+ patterns, including strobe, illusion, jump, energy, gradient, running, chasing, fluttering mode etc. Each mode can be applied to different scenes
- 64+ Chasing IC+RGB & W Effect: The independent control design of IC+RGB and white all-in-one multifunctional rgbw led bar lights monitor backlight allows you to easily switch the led lights for desk between IC+RGB and white to enjoy a variety of lighting effects, you can choose white lighting mode with high brightness for better illumination when working, etc. Choose IC+RGB lighting mode when you need to create an entertaining atmosphere for the light show, 16 million colours of Color changing rgb light bar let you dance to the beat and create a dynamic party atmosphere
- Dynamic and Dimmable Lights: 1%-full brightness free brightness adjustment gives you the flexibility to adjust dimmable led light bar for room decorations or a variety of occasions
- USB Powered: USB light bars for room can be powered by powernank, usb charger, TV, Monitor, laptop PC mainframe, making behind TV led lighting bar easy to install in any location.TV led lights are powered by the TV usb interface / PC mainframe, can be turned on/off synchronously with TV / PC
Step 6: Test the address in Minecraft
- Start the Minecraft server and confirm it is listening on the port used in the SRV record.
- Open Minecraft Java Edition and choose Multiplayer.
- Select Add Server or Direct Connection.
- Enter the hostname, such as
mc.example.com, without adding a port. - Connect and check that the server status, player list and latency appear as expected.
For troubleshooting, temporarily connect with the direct address in IP:port form. If the direct address fails, DNS is not the cause; check the server process, firewall and port forwarding. If the direct address works but the hostname fails, return to the A and SRV verification steps.
Worked configurations
The following examples show how the records relate. Replace every example value with your own server details.
| Player enters | A record | SRV service name | SRV port | SRV target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
mc.example.com |
Host mc → server IP |
_minecraft._tcp.mc.example.com |
The server’s configured port | mc.example.com |
play.example.com |
Host play → server IP |
_minecraft._tcp.play.example.com |
The server’s configured port | play.example.com or another hostname that resolves to the same server |
example.com |
Host @ → server IP, if the editor supports the root label |
The SRV owner for the root domain | The server’s configured port | A full hostname with an A record |
The root-domain case is more dependent on Namecheap’s current field labels. A subdomain such as mc is easier to read and troubleshoot, so use one unless you specifically need the bare domain.
Using more than one Minecraft server
Give each server its own player hostname and its own A/SRV pair. For example, use survival.example.com and creative.example.com rather than trying to make one SRV record represent two unrelated ports.
- Create an A record for each label, pointing to the appropriate server IP.
- Create an SRV record whose owner contains that same label.
- Set each SRV port to the matching server’s listening port.
- Use the corresponding hostname when players connect.
If two servers share an IP address, each can still use a different port and a different SRV record. If they use different IP addresses, each A record must point to its own address.
Best Value
- Compatible with Wide Screens - To ensure compatibility with the dual monitor mount, your each monitor must meet three conditions at the same time: First, computer screens size range: 13 to 32 inches. Second, screen weight range: 4.4 to 19.8 lbs. Third, the back of the monitor screen must have VESA mounting holes with a pitch of 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
- Regarding the compatibility with desks - Your desk must meet three conditions at the same time: First, desk material: Only wooden desks are recommended, plastic or glass desks cannot be used. Second, desk thickness range: 0.59" - 3.54". Third, the bottom of the desk should not have any cross beams or panels, as this will interfere with installation. We recommend carefully checking that your desk and monitors meets all above conditions before purchasing.
- Dual C-Clamp Hold - Worried your dual monitors might wobble or slip? Our upgraded base uses a larger platform plus a dual C-clamp structure to lock the dual monitor arm firmly to your desk. Each arm safely keeps your screens steady while you type, click and game—no shaking, no sliding, just a clean and secure setup you can trust every day. It also provides Grommet Mounting installation choice, both options ensure stable and secure fixation for your 0.59" - 3.54" desk.
- Full-Motion Adjustment For Comfortable View - Pull the screen closer when you’re deep in a spreadsheet, push it back to watch videos, or rotate to portrait for coding — moving everything smoothly with just one hand. The monitor stand offers +85°/-50° tilt, ±90° swivel and 360° rotation. Raise your monitor up to 15.75″ to support a healthy sitting posture. Whether you’re working from home, gaming through the night, or switching between video calls and documents, getting the screens to your natural line of sight helps relieve neck, shoulder and back strain so you can stay focused longer with less fatigue.
- Keep Your Desk Organized: By lifting both screens off the desktop, this dual monitor stand opens up valuable space for your keyboard, notebook, docking station or a simple, clutter-free work area. Built-in cable management guides wires along the arms, keeping cords out of sight and out of the way. Enjoy a tidy, modern workstation that looks as good as it feels to use.
How long DNS changes take
Some resolvers show a new record within a few minutes. Namecheap commonly displays a 30-minute TTL, while other DNS guidance reports a best case of roughly one to five minutes. Caches and nameserver updates can delay visibility for much longer; allow up to 24 hours before treating a change as globally settled.
During that window, one player may connect while another still receives the old IP or no SRV answer. Do not repeatedly delete and recreate records while waiting, because that makes it harder to identify the active value. Query the record from several networks and compare the results.
Troubleshooting by symptom
The hostname does not resolve at all
- Confirm the A record’s host label is spelled exactly as the hostname players enter.
- Check that the domain uses Namecheap BasicDNS, FreeDNS or PremiumDNS if the records were created in Namecheap.
- Make sure the value is a public IP without a port or extra spaces.
- Allow for DNS caching and propagation before changing the record again.
The hostname resolves, but Minecraft reports an unknown host
Run an A lookup for the player hostname. If it returns no address, correct the A record first. An SRV record cannot repair a missing destination hostname.
The hostname resolves, but the connection times out
- Verify that the SRV port matches the port the server is actually listening on.
- Check the operating-system firewall, router port forwarding and any hosting-panel network rules.
- Test the direct
IP:portaddress. A failed direct test indicates a server or network problem rather than a DNS problem.
The direct address works, but the custom hostname uses the wrong port
Query _minecraft._tcp.your-hostname and inspect the returned port. If it is wrong, edit the SRV record. Also check that you did not put the port in the A record; the A record must contain only the IP.
The SRV lookup returns nothing
- Confirm the service is exactly
_minecraft, including the leading underscore. - Confirm the protocol is
_tcp, or_tcp.labelonly when the editor requires the combined format. - Check the saved owner name for a missing or duplicated subdomain.
- Ensure the target is a full hostname with an A record, not a numeric IP.
The record appears correct in Namecheap but players still see old data
Compare a public lookup with the value shown in the panel. If public resolvers show the new value, the remaining problem is probably a local DNS cache or the player’s network. Restarting the game does not always flush the operating system or router cache; testing from a different connection can distinguish caching from a configuration error.
Changes you may need later
Changing the server IP
Edit only the A record when the server moves to a new IP. Keep the SRV service, protocol, port and target hostname unchanged if the hostname remains the same. Players can continue using the custom address after DNS caches expire.
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 reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteChanging the server port
Edit the SRV record’s port. Do not add the new port to the A record or tell players to append it to the hostname; the purpose of the SRV record is to publish that port automatically.
Changing the player-facing hostname
Create a new A/SRV pair for the new label, test it, and leave the old pair in place until players have migrated. Removing the old record immediately can strand users whose DNS cache still contains the previous address.
Quick Recap
Final pre-launch checklist
- The domain uses Namecheap BasicDNS, FreeDNS or PremiumDNS nameservers.
- The A record host matches the label players will enter.
- The A record value is the public server IP with no port.
- The SRV service is
_minecraft. - The SRV protocol is
_tcp, with the subdomain placed according to the editor’s saved format. - Priority is
0and weight is5. - The SRV port matches the running server.
- The SRV target is a full hostname that has an A record.
- A lookup shows
_minecraft._tcp.<your-hostname>with the expected values. - Players can connect using the hostname without typing a port.
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.
