Can’t connect to Mineplex?

First, check whether it’s actually down. Our live status page pings play.mineplex.com every minute. If it says Mineplex is up but you still can’t connect, the problem is almost certainly on your end — work through the fixes below. If it says down, it’s a server-side outage: there’s nothing to fix, and it’ll come back.

Use the right address and version

• Server address: play.mineplex.com (Java Edition).
• Paste it exactly — no spaces, and no https:// in front.
• It works on Minecraft Java versions from 1.8 up to the latest 1.21.
• Bedrock Edition (phones, consoles, Windows 10/11) isn’t supported yet — Mineplex is Java-only for now.

Quick fixes, in order

1. Restart Minecraft and log back in. This refreshes your session and fixes most “can’t connect” errors on its own.
2. Re-add the server. In Multiplayer, delete the Mineplex entry and add play.mineplex.com again.
3. Check your internet. Open any website to confirm you’re online, and restart your router if it’s flaky.
4. Try a different Minecraft version. If you’re on the newest snapshot, switch to a stable release like 1.21 or 1.20 — pre-release versions often can’t connect.
5. Flush your DNS. On Windows, run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt; on Mac, a restart clears it. This fixes stale or wrong address lookups.
6. Turn off any VPN or proxy. These can block or misroute the game connection.
7. Check your firewall and antivirus. Allow Minecraft (javaw.exe) through — security software sometimes blocks new connections.
8. Disable mods temporarily. A broken mod or an outdated OptiFine can stop you connecting; try vanilla to rule it out.

What the common error messages mean

• “Can’t connect to server” / “Connection refused” — the server couldn’t be reached or is actively refusing connections: it may be down, restarting or full, or something on your network is blocking it. Check the status above first.
• “Connection timed out” — no reply in time. Check your connection; if the status page says up, try again shortly.
• “Unknown host” / UnknownHostException — your device can’t resolve the address. Flush your DNS and double-check you typed play.mineplex.com correctly.
• “Outdated client” or “Outdated server” — a version mismatch. Switch your Minecraft version to a supported one.
• io.netty errors — the connection dropped mid-handshake. Retry, and rule out mods or an unstable connection.

Is Mineplex back?

Yes — after going offline, Mineplex has relaunched and is playable again at play.mineplex.com. If you played the original, this is the return: add the address in Multiplayer and you’re in. You can check it’s online right now on the status page, and see how busy it is on the players page. For the full story, see Is Mineplex back?

Still can’t get in?

If the status page shows Mineplex up and none of the above worked, it may be a temporary issue with your account or region — wait a few minutes and try again. If it shows down, it’s a server-side outage, so there’s nothing to fix on your end; this page’s status updates every minute, so you’ll know the moment it’s back. For anything else, see the FAQ.