Can't join a server?

Find the message Minecraft shows, then look for it below.

The server is sleeping

A free server sleeps after 15 minutes with no players. It starts again when a player joins.

1. Join the server as usual.
2. Follow what you see. On a free server you may be asked to unlock it first: choose Wait 1 minute, or another option if one is offered. If Minecraft only says that it cannot connect, the server's owner can start it in the panel.
3. When the server is ready, join again.

A server that nobody played on for 48 hours may take a few minutes to start.

The server is offline or in maintenance

• Offline: the owner stopped the server. Only the owner can start it.
• Maintenance: the owner is working on it. Try again later.

Ask the server's owner or community when it will be back. Play Strawberry support cannot start someone else's server.

The server asks for a resource pack

Many servers send a resource pack with their own textures and sounds.

• With the Strawberry client: packs from Strawberry servers are accepted for you.
• With plain Minecraft: the game asks if you want the pack. If the server requires it and you decline, the server cannot let you in. Join again and accept the pack.

If you once set the server's resource packs to Disabled, change it back:

1. In Multiplayer, select the server and choose Edit.
2. Set Server Resource Packs to Enabled or Prompt, and choose Done.

Your Minecraft version does not match

The server's page shows its Minecraft version. Start Minecraft: Java Edition with that version.

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher.
2. Under Installations, choose or create one with the server's version.
3. Play with that installation.

A server that also lets in Bedrock Edition players shows Bedrock too next to its version. Without it, join with Minecraft: Java Edition.

The server checks Minecraft accounts (online mode)

A server with online mode on lets in only players who own Minecraft: Java Edition and are signed in with it.

• Sign in to the Minecraft Launcher with the Microsoft account that owns Minecraft. Then restart the game and try again.
• If you join from our website, link your Microsoft account first. See Link your Microsoft and Minecraft account.

If your sign-in is not right, Minecraft shows a message such as Failed to verify username! or Invalid session. If your game is in another language, it shows the same message in that language.

You are not on the whitelist

Some servers let in only the players on their list. Only the owner can add you. Ask the server's owner or community, and give them your exact Minecraft name.

You are banned or kicked

Each server has its own rules and staff. A ban on a server is the owner's decision. Ask that server's staff, not Play Strawberry support.

Still can't join?

Open a ticket and tell us:

• the server's name and address;
• the time you tried;
• a screenshot of the message.