Many Minecraft players have encountered the “Can’t resolve hostname” error when they try to join servers. This is how one player described that gaming issue on Reddit, “I made a server a few minutes ago, and I have tried putting in the IP multiple times, but it just keeps on showing this error… It also shows ‘Can’t resolve hostname’ under the server name.” Consequently, players can’t join affected servers. This is how you can fix the Minecraft “Can’t resolve hostname” error on Windows PCs.
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Double-check the Server Address and Name Entered
First, double-check you’ve entered the address and name of the server to join correctly. Check for any typos in the server name. Make sure the address entered doesn’t include any extra spaces or symbols. You can also double-check you’re connecting to the correct address for a server with the Command Prompt like this.
- Hold the Windows keyboard button and press S to activate a search box.
- Input the cmd search phrase and right-click Command Prompt to select the Run as administrator.
- Enter nslookup hostname into the Prompt and hit Enter. You’ll need to replace hostname in that command with a real Minecraft server name.
A nslookup hostname command
- Note down the server address shown under Non-authoritative answer.
- Input the server address of the nslookup command into Minecraft.
The ping server IP address is another useful Command Prompt command to execute that shows if there’s an issue with the server you’re trying to connect to. Replace the server IP address in that command with an actual server address with numbers, such as ping 158.69.246.234, for example. A Request timed out message for that command highlights the server you’re trying to connect with is no longer operational.
A ping server command
Change Your DNS Server Address
Changing the DNS server is one of the most widely confirmed ways to resolve the Minecraft “Can’t resolve hostname” error on Windows PCs. There are numerous DNS servers, but in this case, players confirm setting an OpenDNS server address works best. You can change your DNS server to OpenDNS like this.
- Open your Windows 11/10 search tool, input ncpa.cpl, and click the matching result.
- Click on the internet network adapter with the right mouse button and select Properties.
- Next, double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 to access IPv4 DNS server settings.
- Click Use the following DNS server addresses to activate value boxes for that setting.
- Input 208.67.222.222 in the Preferred DNS box.
- Enter 208.67.220.220 in the Alternative DNS value box.
The DNS server boxes
- Click OK to apply the server settings.
Flush DNS and Reset Winsock
Flushing the DNS cache and resetting the Winsock catalog can resolve network issues causing the Minecraft “Can’t resolve hostname” error to occur. Some players also confirm applying this potential fix has resolved that gaming issue for them. This is how you can flush DNS and reset Winsock with a couple of commands.
- Press the Windows logo + S keyboard key combination, type cmd in the search utility, and click Run as administrator for the Command Prompt search result.
- Input ipconfig /flushdns and press Return to execute the command entered.
The ipconfig /flushdns command
- Type netsh winsock reset into the Prompt’s window and hit Enter.
Disable the Windows Firewall
Try temporarily the Windows firewall on your PC to ensure it can’t cause issues with Minecraft connecting to servers. You can select to turn off the Windows Defender Firewall by going through the steps on this Microsoft support page. Start Minecraft and try joining the required server after turning off the firewall.
The Windows Defender Firewall settings
If this works, don’t leave the Windows firewall permanently disabled. You can temporarily disable the firewall before playing Minecraft and turn it back on afterward. Alternatively, try adding the Minecraft game to the exceptions list for that firewall, which this Microsoft page tells you how to do.
Alas, there aren’t that many confirmed troubleshooting methods for resolving the Minecraft “Can’t resolve hostname” gaming issue. However, the potential fixes covered here have worked for some players. You can also send a help ticket about this gaming issue to the Minecraft support service from this contact form if the potential fixes above aren’t enough.
