Players can't connect to my game server

Use this page when nobody can join your server, or only some players can. For Minecraft Java specifics, see Minecraft connection errors.

The server is offline or still starting

Why it happens: Players cannot join until the server status shows Online. Big servers and modded servers can take a few minutes to start.

How to fix it:

1. Open the Console and check the status. It must say Online, not Offline or Starting.
2. Wait until the console shows the game’s “ready” or “done” message.
3. If it stays Offline, read the last console lines for an error. See Console and power problems and Startup, version and software-switch problems.

The server crashed on start or keeps restarting

Why it happens: If the game process exits, the server goes Offline and players are kicked. Crash detection may restart it, then give up if it crashes again within 60 seconds.

How to fix it:

1. Look in the Console for “Exit code” and “Out of memory” lines.
2. See Server keeps restarting and Out of memory.
3. If the disk is full, see Disk full.

Wrong address or wrong port

Why it happens: Players must use the address and port of your server, not something similar.

How to fix it:

1. Open Network in the panel.
2. Find the allocation marked Primary. It shows a hostname (or IP) and a port.
3. Give players that exact hostname or IP and port.
4. Do not use an old address from a previous server or trial.

I left off the port number

Why it happens: Some games use a default port and some do not. If the game does not use the default port, connecting without the port fails.

How to fix it:

1. Check the port on the Network page.
2. Type it after the address with a colon, like address:port, or in the separate port box if the game has one.
3. Some games want the port typed in a different way. See the game’s page under Games.

I used the panel address instead of the game address

Why it happens: panel.omnehosting.com is the website where you manage the server. It is not the address players connect to.

How to fix it:

1. Use the address from the Network page instead.
2. If you set up a subdomain, use that name (see below).

My subdomain does not work

Why it happens: A subdomain must be created first, and it needs to point at the right allocation. New records can also take time to spread across the internet.

How to fix it:

1. Open the Subdomains page and check that your subdomain exists and uses the right allocation.
2. Try connecting with the plain address and port from Network. If that works, the subdomain is the problem.
3. Wait a while and try again. Some players’ devices keep old answers for a while.
4. On Minecraft Java, see Subdomains.
5. If it still fails after waiting a while, open a ticket.

Works for me but not for my friend

Why it happens: Something on your friend’s side is blocking or misrouting the connection: firewall, antivirus, VPN, router, or the ISP.

How to fix it:

1. Ask your friend to check they are typing the same address and port you use.
2. Have them turn off any VPN and try again.
3. Have them allow the game through Windows Firewall or their antivirus (or test with it off for a minute).
4. Have them try another network, such as a phone hotspot. If that works, their home network or ISP is the cause.
5. If only one player fails and everyone else joins, the server is fine.

Works for my friend but not for me

Why it happens: Same as above, from your side. Also check that you are not joining an address you saved from another server.

How to fix it:

1. Delete the saved server entry and add it again with the current address and port.
2. Turn off your VPN and test.
3. Restart your game and your router.
4. Test from a phone hotspot to rule out your home network.

VPN or proxy blocks the connection

Why it happens: VPNs can block game ports, add delay, or use an address the game does not accept.

How to fix it:

1. Turn the VPN off and try again.
2. If you need it on, look for a split tunnel option and exclude the game.

Firewall or antivirus blocks the game

Why it happens: Security software on the player’s PC can block outgoing game connections.

How to fix it:

1. Add the game as an allowed app in the firewall.
2. Test with the antivirus paused for a minute. Turn it back on afterward.
3. If that fixes it, add an exception for the game rather than leaving it off.

IPv6 versus IPv4

Why it happens: Some networks and devices prefer IPv6, and some games only work well over IPv4. If the address you use is an IPv4 address and the player’s setup is odd, the connection can fail.

How to fix it:

1. Use the exact address shown in Network.
2. If a player has trouble, ask them to try another network or turn off IPv6 on their adapter as a test.
3. If you still cannot find the cause, open a ticket.

Game version mismatch

Why it happens: Most games require the client and server to be on the same version. After a game update, players may need to update, or the server may need updating.

How to fix it:

1. Check the version shown in the error message. It usually names both versions.
2. Update the game on the player’s side, or update the server (see the Startup page for version options).
3. For Minecraft Java, see Change version.

Server password is wrong or missing

Why it happens: If a server password is set, players must enter it.

How to fix it:

1. Check the server’s settings for a password. Where it lives depends on the game. See the game’s settings page under Games.
2. Tell players the right password, and check for extra spaces when they type it.

Player is not on the whitelist

Why it happens: Whitelist or allow-list modes only let listed players join.

How to fix it:

1. Add the player to the whitelist through the game’s own command or settings. The way to do it depends on the game.
2. For Minecraft, see Players.

Server is full

Why it happens: The server has reached its maximum player count.

How to fix it:

1. Check the player limit in the server’s settings.
2. Raise it if the game allows, keeping in mind that more players need more memory and CPU.
3. Ask players to try again when someone leaves.

Server not showing in the server list

Why it happens: Some games list servers in an in-game browser. Lists can take several minutes to update, and some games need a separate query port to be reachable before they show a server. A server can be joinable by direct address and still not be in the list.

How to fix it:

1. Try joining by direct address and port first. If that works, the server is fine.
2. Wait several minutes after a start, then refresh the list.
3. Check whether your game uses a second port, often called a query port. Open Network to see how many allocations you have.
4. If you need another allocation, use Create Allocation on the Network page. It is limited by your plan.
5. Set the game’s query port setting to that new port if the game asks for it. The setting name depends on the game.
6. Check the game’s page under Games for known list issues.

Connection times out or is refused

Why it happens: “Timed out” usually means nothing answered (server offline, wrong address, or something on the way is blocking). “Refused” usually means the address was reached but nothing is listening on that port.

How to fix it:

1. Make sure the server is Online.
2. Recheck the address and port against the Network page.
3. Try from another network to rule out a player-side block.

Everyone suddenly cannot connect and the server shows Online

Why it happens: It may be a game-side hang, a network issue, or an attack.

How to fix it:

1. Restart the server from the power buttons and try again.
2. Check the Console for errors.
3. If you think you are under attack, read about Omne-Shield.
4. If a restart does not help, open a ticket with the time it started and the exact error players see.

Still stuck?

Open a ticket or ask on Discord. See Contact support. Tell us the game, the address and port you use, and the exact message players see.