Custom domain and subdomain setup for your Minecraft server

Custom domain and subdomain setup for your Minecraft server

A custom domain makes your server easy to remember and safer to share. Instead of a changing IP or a long hostname, friends can connect to `play.yourdomain.com`. This guide shows you how to set it up with HostChicken and avoid common DNS pitfalls.

Why use a custom domain?

• Easy to remember: `play.yourdomain.com` beats an IP.

• Flexible: You can move servers later without making friends update bookmarks.

• Safer sharing: Share the domain, not your personal IP.

What you’ll need

• Access to a domain you own (from registrars like Namecheap, Google Domains, Cloudflare, etc.)

• The HostChicken server address or target hostname provided in your dashboard

Pick a subdomain

Common choices:

• `play.yourdomain.com` (most popular)

• `mc.yourdomain.com`

• `smp.yourdomain.com`

Create a DNS record

In your registrar or DNS provider dashboard, create one of the following (HostChicken will tell you which):

• CNAME record: Points your subdomain to a target hostname (e.g., `yourname.mcfree.serv`).

• Name/Host: `play`

• Type: `CNAME`

• Target: `your-assigned.mcfree.serv` (check your server page)

• TTL: Auto or 5–30 minutes

• A record: Points directly to an IP (only if HostChicken provides an IP for your server)

• Name/Host: `play`

• Type: `A`

• Value: `123.45.67.89` (example)

• TTL: Auto or 5–30 minutes

Use CNAME whenever possible. It’s more flexible and won’t break if underlying IPs change.

Advanced: SRV records for non‑default ports

Minecraft Java defaults to port 25565. If your server runs on a different port, you can keep your clean `play.yourdomain.com` address by creating an SRV record that points to the actual host and port. Not all DNS providers make SRV setup obvious, but here’s the pattern:

• Type: `SRV`

• Name/Service: `_minecraft._tcp.play`

• Priority: `0`

• Weight: `5`

• Port: `PORT_YOUR_SERVER_USES` (e.g., `25575`)

• Target: The hostname or subdomain the Minecraft server is actually running on (e.g., `your-assigned.mcfree.serv`).

Keep a normal `A`/`CNAME` for `play.yourdomain.com` pointing to the same target. The SRV tells Minecraft which port to use behind the scenes.

Note: Bedrock uses different protocols and records. For Bedrock, you would create `_minecraft._udp` SRV records and often separate subdomains (e.g., `bedrock.yourdomain.com`). HostChicken will indicate the correct setup in your dashboard if Bedrock is enabled via a bridge like Geyser.

Add the domain in HostChicken

1. Open your server in the HostChicken dashboard.

2. Go to Domain/Networking.

3. Add your subdomain (e.g., `play.yourdomain.com`).

4. HostChicken will verify DNS automatically or provide a TXT record for ownership verification.

5. Wait for DNS to propagate (usually minutes, sometimes up to an hour).

Verify it works

On desktop, run:

```

nslookup play.yourdomain.com

```

Or use an online DNS checker. Once the CNAME/A record resolves correctly, try connecting from Minecraft using the subdomain.

For SRV verification, use a DNS lookup tool that supports SRV queries (or `dig` on Linux/macOS):

```

dig +short SRV _minecraft._tcp.play.yourdomain.com

```

You should see the target and port you configured.

Common DNS issues and fixes

• Propagation delay: Wait 15–60 minutes and try again.

• Wrong record type: Use CNAME unless your provider requires A/AAAA.

• Conflicting records: Remove old A/AAAA records if you’re switching to CNAME.

• Proxy/CDN interference: If using Cloudflare, set proxy to DNS-only (gray cloud) unless HostChicken supports proxied Minecraft traffic.

• Typos: Double-check `play` vs `palay`, and the target hostname.

Extra tips:

• ISPs and devices cache aggressively. Try a phone on mobile data, or clear your system DNS cache.

• On Windows, you can run `ipconfig /flushdns` in Command Prompt. On macOS, `sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`. On Linux, it depends on your resolver (`systemd-resolved`, `nscd`, etc.).

Can I have multiple servers?

Yes. Use different subdomains:

• `survival.yourdomain.com`

• `creative.yourdomain.com`

• `modded.yourdomain.com`

Each subdomain can point to a different HostChicken server.

Switch servers without telling everyone

If you ever migrate servers, just update the DNS record to point the same subdomain to the new target. Your friends can keep using `play.yourdomain.com`—no changes on their side.

Safety tips

• Keep registrar and DNS provider logins secure.

• Use 2FA when available.

• Avoid sharing full DNS screenshots publicly.

Registrar walkthroughs (high level)

• Cloudflare: Add your domain, disable the orange proxy cloud for Minecraft records, create a `CNAME` for `play` to your HostChicken hostname, and optionally add an SRV if you use a non‑default port.

• Namecheap/GoDaddy/Google Domains: Open DNS records, add `CNAME` for `play`, paste your HostChicken hostname, set TTL to automatic. If you can’t create SRV easily, ask support or use the default 25565 port to keep it simple.

Java and Bedrock together

If you enable Geyser + Floodgate to let Bedrock players join a Java server, they’ll often use the same hostname but a different port. You can give Bedrock players a separate subdomain (e.g., `bedrock.yourdomain.com`) and configure the correct record/port as instructed by the HostChicken dashboard. Provide both addresses in your server description so everyone knows where to connect.

Quick checklist

• [ ] Choose a subdomain like `play.yourdomain.com`

• [ ] Create a CNAME to your HostChicken hostname

• [ ] Add and verify the domain in HostChicken

• [ ] Test with `nslookup` and in Minecraft

Once set up, your friends can connect faster, and you’ll have a clean, professional address you can keep forever.