This guide explains how to use your own domain or subdomain with your CLWHost Minecraft server.
For example, instead of players joining with an address like:
123.123.123.123:25580
you can use something cleaner, such as:
play.yourdomain.com
or, for Bedrock Edition:
play.yourdomain.com:19132
The setup depends on whether your server is Minecraft Java Edition, Minecraft Bedrock Edition, or a Java server with Bedrock crossplay.
You will need:
yourdomain.comYou can usually find your server IP and port inside the game panel under your server's connection details, network section, or allocation section.
Your domain is managed by your domain provider, not directly inside Minecraft.
You do not normally need to change your domain nameservers. In most cases, you only need to add DNS records.
If you use Cloudflare, make sure your Minecraft DNS records are set to:
DNS Only
Do not use the orange cloud/proxy mode for normal Minecraft server connections. Cloudflare's standard proxy is designed for websites, not Minecraft server traffic.
Do not include http:// or https:// in your Minecraft server address.
Correct:
play.yourdomain.com
Incorrect:
https://play.yourdomain.com
Minecraft Java Edition supports SRV records.
An SRV record can allow players to join using:
play.yourdomain.com
even if your Minecraft server uses a custom port such as:
25580
Without an SRV record, players may need to enter the port manually:
play.yourdomain.com:25580
If your Minecraft Java server uses the default port:
25565
you usually only need an A record.
Create this DNS record:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: Your server IP address
TTL: Automatic / Default
Proxy: DNS Only, if using Cloudflare
Example:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: 123.123.123.123
Players can then connect using:
play.yourdomain.com
If your Minecraft Java server uses a custom port, such as:
25580
you need two DNS records:
This lets players connect without typing the port.
Create this DNS record:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: Your server IP address
TTL: Automatic / Default
Proxy: DNS Only, if using Cloudflare
Example:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: 123.123.123.123
This creates:
play.yourdomain.com
The SRV record tells Minecraft which port to use.
Use these values:
Type: SRV
Service: _minecraft
Protocol: _tcp
Name: play
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: Your Minecraft server port
Target: play.yourdomain.com
TTL: Automatic / Default
Example for a server using port 25580:
Type: SRV
Service: _minecraft
Protocol: _tcp
Name: play
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: 25580
Target: play.yourdomain.com
Players can then connect using:
play.yourdomain.com
without needing to type the port.
If your DNS is managed through Cloudflare, the SRV record may be shown slightly differently.
Use:
Type: SRV
Name: _minecraft._tcp.play
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: Your Minecraft server port
Target: play.yourdomain.com
Example:
Type: SRV
Name: _minecraft._tcp.play
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: 25580
Target: play.yourdomain.com
Make sure the A record for play also exists and is set to DNS Only.
Minecraft Bedrock Edition does not reliably use SRV records in the same way Minecraft Java Edition does.
For Bedrock Edition, you should normally create an A record and enter the port separately inside Minecraft.
Create this DNS record:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: Your server IP address
TTL: Automatic / Default
Proxy: DNS Only, if using Cloudflare
Example:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: 123.123.123.123
Players would then enter:
Server Address: play.yourdomain.com
Port: 19132
The default Minecraft Bedrock port is:
19132
If your server uses a different Bedrock port, use the port shown in your game panel.
Example:
Server Address: play.yourdomain.com
Port: 19133
Some Minecraft Java servers allow Bedrock players to join using crossplay.
In this setup, Java players and Bedrock players may need different connection details.
Java players should follow the Minecraft Java Edition instructions above.
If your Java server uses a custom port, create:
This lets Java players connect using:
play.yourdomain.com
Bedrock players should usually connect using the domain and the Bedrock port.
Example:
Server Address: play.yourdomain.com
Port: 19132
The Bedrock port may not be the same as the Java port.
You can check the correct Bedrock port in your server settings, crossplay plugin settings, or by asking CLWHost support.
We recommend using a subdomain for your Minecraft server.
Good examples:
play.yourdomain.com
mc.yourdomain.com
server.yourdomain.com
smp.yourdomain.com
Be careful when changing records for your main/root domain:
yourdomain.com
If your main domain is already used for a website, shop, forum, email, or community page, changing the root DNS record may affect those services.
Using a subdomain is usually safer and cleaner.
DNS changes are often quick, but they can sometimes take a little while.
In many cases, changes work within:
5-30 minutes
However, some providers can take up to:
24 hours
If your domain does not work straight away, wait a little while and check the records again.
Check that your A record points to the correct server IP.
Also make sure your Minecraft server is online in the game panel.
For Minecraft Java Edition, this usually means the SRV record is missing or incorrect.
For Minecraft Bedrock Edition, this is normal. Bedrock players usually need to enter the port separately.
Check the SRV record carefully.
Make sure:
Service: _minecraft
Protocol: _tcp
Port: Your Minecraft server port
Target: play.yourdomain.com
The SRV target should not include http://, https://, or a port.
Correct:
play.yourdomain.com
Incorrect:
https://play.yourdomain.com:25580
If using Cloudflare, make sure the DNS record is set to:
DNS Only
Do not use the orange cloud/proxy setting for Minecraft server records.
Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock use different connection methods.
Java players may be able to use:
play.yourdomain.com
Bedrock players usually need:
Server Address: play.yourdomain.com
Port: 19132
or the custom Bedrock port shown in your game panel.
Server IP:
123.123.123.123
Server port:
25580
A record:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: 123.123.123.123
SRV record:
Type: SRV
Service: _minecraft
Protocol: _tcp
Name: play
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: 25580
Target: play.yourdomain.com
Players connect using:
play.yourdomain.com
Server IP:
123.123.123.123
Bedrock port:
19132
A record:
Type: A
Name: play
Value: 123.123.123.123
Players connect using:
Server Address: play.yourdomain.com
Port: 19132
If you are unsure what DNS records to create, contact CLWHost support.
Please include:
Your domain name
Whether your server is Java, Bedrock, or Java with Bedrock crossplay
Your server IP address from the game panel
Your server port from the game panel
A screenshot of your DNS records
We will help you work out the correct setup.