How do I check if a Minecraft server is online?

Enter the server hostname (e.g. hypixel.net) and port (default 25565 for Java, 19132 for Bedrock) into this tool, complete the verification, and click Check Server Status. The tool sends a server list ping query and returns online/offline status, player count, MOTD, version, and more.

What is the default port for Minecraft Java servers?

Java Edition multiplayer servers listen on TCP port 25565 by default. If a server uses a custom port, enter it in the port field or as hostname:port (e.g. play.example.com:25566). Bedrock Dedicated Server uses UDP port 19132 by default.

Why does the checker say a server is offline when I can join?

Common causes: wrong port, server blocks external status queries (query disabled in server.properties), server is behind a proxy that only accepts authenticated connections, temporary network issue, or the hostname resolves differently from our probe location. If you can join in-game but the checker shows offline, the server likely has enable-query=false or blocks third-party pings.

Can I check Bedrock Edition servers?

Yes. Switch to Bedrock Edition mode and enter the server address with port 19132 (or the custom port). Bedrock status queries use a different protocol than Java — the tool handles both automatically.

What information does a Minecraft server status check return?

When online, you typically see: player count (online/max), server version, MOTD (message of the day), resolved IP and hostname, server icon, software name (Paper, Spigot, etc.), plugin list (if query exposes it), map name, and query latency in milliseconds. Offline servers return no player data.

Why is there a captcha before checking server status?

Each check queries mcsrvstat.us which performs a real ping against the target server. Cloudflare Turnstile prevents automated abuse that could hammer both our API and third-party lookup services. Tokens are single-use — complete a new verification for each check.

Does this work for LAN or local servers?

No. This tool checks public servers reachable from the internet. Private LAN addresses (192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, localhost) are blocked for security. To check a local server, use the Direct Connection screen in Minecraft or run a ping from your own machine.

How is this different from the Minecraft Servers Down page?

The Servers Down page monitors Mojang/Microsoft authentication and launcher endpoints for global outages. This Status Checker looks up individual multiplayer servers by IP or hostname — useful for checking if your favourite SMP, minigame server, or your own hosted server is reachable.

Can I check server status before joining a server from a server list?

Yes. Copy the IP from any listing on MinecraftServer.Buzz or elsewhere, paste it here, and verify it is online with players before launching Minecraft. Server list player counts are updated periodically — this tool gives a live snapshot at check time.

Tools · Status

Minecraft Server Status Checker

Check the status of any Minecraft server by entering its address and port below. See whether it is online or offline, how many players are connected, the MOTD, version, server icon, detected plugins, and query latency — for both Java and Bedrock editions.

Java · Bedrock · custom ports · live player countPowered by mcsrvstat.us server list ping

Enter a server address and port, complete verification, then click Check Server Status.

How Minecraft server status checks work

When you click Check Server Status, our backend asks mcsrvstat.us to perform a server list ping — the same protocol the Minecraft multiplayer browser uses when you add a server and refresh. The target server responds with a JSON packet containing its version, MOTD, current player count, and max slots.

This is different from a raw TCP connection test. A server can accept game connections but still appear offline here if it has enable-query=false in server.properties or blocks external status probes. Conversely, some servers respond to pings but reject unauthenticated joins.

Java vs Bedrock status queries

Property	Java Edition	Bedrock Edition
Default port	25565 (TCP)	19132 (UDP)
Protocol	Server list ping (JSON)	RakNet unconnected ping
Typical response	Version, MOTD, players, favicon	Gamemode, map, MOTD, players
Address format	hostname or ip:port	hostname or ip:port

Server shows offline but works in-game?

Query disabled

Set enable-query=true in server.properties and restart. Paper servers respond to list pings regardless, but some configs block external probes.

Wrong port

Server lists sometimes show the proxy port (25565) while the actual game server listens elsewhere. Confirm the port in your hosting panel or ask the server owner.

DDoS protection / firewall

TCPShield, NeoProtect, and similar services may filter status queries from unknown IPs. The server can be online for whitelisted or authenticated players while blocking probes.

Temporary downtime

Server may be restarting, updating, or crashed. Check again in a minute. For global Minecraft login issues, use the Minecraft Servers Down page instead.

When to use this tool

Before joining — verify a server from a server list is actually online with players
After advertising your server — confirm your listing IP and port respond correctly from the public internet
Debugging connectivity — isolate whether a join failure is server-side or client-side
Checking MOTD and version — see what players see in the server list before connecting
Monitoring your own host — quick uptime check without launching the game

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as pinging a server in Minecraft?

Essentially yes — it uses the same server list ping protocol. The MOTD, player count, and version you see here should match what appears in the Minecraft multiplayer server list when you add the same address.

Can I check my own server before listing it?

Yes — enter your public IP or domain and port. If it shows online with the correct MOTD, external players should be able to find it too. Then list it on the Minecraft server list.

Why can I only check one server at a time?

Each check requires captcha verification to prevent abuse of the lookup service. Recent checks are saved in your session for quick reference. For bulk monitoring, use a dedicated uptime service or your hosting panel's built-in monitoring.