# How to Fix 'Connection Refused' on Your Minecraft Server (/docs/minecraft/fix-connection-refused)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

**"Connection Refused"** means something at that address is responding — but actively rejecting your connection. This is different from **"Connection Timed Out"**, where nothing replies at all. Refused = server is reachable but the Minecraft port isn't accepting; Timed Out = the IP/port isn't even reachable.

That distinction matters: refused errors are almost always server-side, not network-side.

Quick Diagnosis [#quick-diagnosis]

| What you see                    | Most likely cause                            |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| "Connection refused: connect"   | Server is offline or still booting           |
| Refused after working yesterday | Server crashed — check Console               |
| Refused on a new install        | Wrong port or server hasn't finished startup |
| Refused only for some players   | Server full (`max-players` reached)          |
| Refused immediately, no delay   | Nothing listening on that port               |

Fix It [#fix-it]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Check the Dashboard [#check-the-dashboard]

    Open the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and look at the **Dashboard**. Is the server showing as **Online** or **Offline**?

    * **Offline** → click **Start** and wait for `Done` in the Console
    * **Starting** → wait. Modpacks can take 2–5 minutes to fully boot
    * **Crashed** → check Console for the error and see [Server Won't Start](/docs/minecraft/fix-server-wont-start)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Wait for "Done" in Console [#wait-for-done-in-console]

    Open **Console** in the sidebar. The server is only accepting connections after you see:

    ```
    [Server thread/INFO]: Done (12.345s)! For help, type "help"
    ```

    If you connect before that, you'll get refused. Modded servers (Forge, Fabric, large modpacks) often take **2–5 minutes** to reach `Done`.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Verify the port [#verify-the-port]

    Click **Network** in the sidebar to see your server's **assigned port**. It is **not always 25565**. Use the exact port shown there.

    In your Minecraft client:

    ```
    your-ip:your-port
    ```

    If the port doesn't match what's in **Network**, that's your problem.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Check if the server is full [#check-if-the-server-is-full]

    Refused-after-working can mean **max-players reached**. Check **Console**:

    ```
    list
    ```

    If player count = max-players, increase it in the **Startup** tab (or `max-players` in `server.properties`) and restart. See [Player Limit](/docs/minecraft/player-limit).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Check Console for crash messages [#check-console-for-crash-messages]

    If the server crashed during startup, the Dashboard may show "Online" briefly, then go offline. Read the **first** error in the Console (not the last). Common ones:

    | Error                           | Fix                                                                             |
    | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `You need to agree to the EULA` | [Accept the EULA](/docs/minecraft/agree-to-eula)                                |
    | `UnsupportedClassVersionError`  | Wrong Java version — see [Java Version](/docs/minecraft/java-version)           |
    | `OutOfMemoryError`              | Increase RAM in **Startup** — see [How Much RAM](/docs/minecraft/how-much-ram)  |
    | `Exception in server tick loop` | Plugin/mod error — see [Server Tick Loop](/docs/minecraft/fix-server-tick-loop) |
    | `Address already in use`        | Rare on hosted — contact support                                                |
  </Step>
</Steps>

Refused vs Timed Out [#refused-vs-timed-out]

| Symptom             | Refused                     | Timed Out                               |
| ------------------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Connection delay    | Instant rejection           | 30+ second wait, then fail              |
| What it tells you   | Port is closed at the host  | Can't reach the host at all             |
| Likely cause        | Server offline / wrong port | Wrong IP / network blocked / DNS broken |
| Where to look first | Panel Dashboard + Console   | Local network, then panel               |

If you have **Timed Out** instead, see [Fix: Connection Timed Out](/docs/minecraft/fix-connection-timed-out).

Common Mistakes [#common-mistakes]

| Mistake                                      | Fix                                              |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Connecting before "Done" appears             | Wait for the Done message in Console             |
| Using port 25565 when your port is different | Use the port shown in **Network**                |
| Using `localhost` or `127.0.0.1`             | That only works *on the host*. Use your panel IP |
| Forgetting `:port` in client                 | Add `:portnumber` after the IP                   |
| Server actually crashed silently             | Read Console — first error wins                  |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Fix: Connection Timed Out](/docs/minecraft/fix-connection-timed-out)
* [Server Won't Start](/docs/minecraft/fix-server-wont-start)
* [Connect to Your Server](/docs/minecraft/join-server)
* [Player Limit](/docs/minecraft/player-limit)
* [Common Issues](/docs/minecraft/common-issues)