Set Up SRV Records for Your Minecraft Server

SRV (Service) records allow players to connect to your Minecraft server using a memorable custom domain instead of complex IP addresses and port numbers. This guide demonstrates how to configure SRV records using Cloudflare as an example DNS provider.

Setting up SRV records transforms connections from 123.456.789.012:25565 to something like play.yourdomain.com, making your server much more accessible to players.

Creating an A Record

Before setting up SRV records, you need an A record pointing to your server's IP address.

1. Log into your DNS provider's control panel (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.)
2. Navigate to the DNS management section
3. Add a new DNS record and select A from the record type options
4. Configure the A record with these details:
   • Name: Your desired subdomain (example: play)
   • IPv4 Address: Your server's IP address (example: 1.1.1.1)
5. Save the A record

Configuring SRV Records

Now create the SRV record that will direct Minecraft connections to your server.

1. Return to your DNS provider's control panel
2. Navigate back to the DNS management section
3. Add a new DNS record and select SRV from the record type dropdown
4. Enter the following SRV record details:
   • Name: _minecraft._tcp
   • Priority: 1 (lower numbers receive higher priority)
   • TTL: Select Auto for automatic time-to-live settings
   • Weight: 1 (used for load balancing between multiple servers)
   • Port: Your Minecraft server's port number (example: 34197)
   • Target: Your subdomain hostname (example: play.yourdomain.com)
5. Save the SRV record configuration

DNS Propagation

After saving your records, wait for DNS propagation to complete. This process typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on your DNS provider and global DNS caching.

Understanding Your SRV Record

Your completed SRV record follows this format:

_minecraft._tcp.yourdomain.com SRV 1 1 34197 play.yourdomain.com

This record tells Minecraft clients that connections to yourdomain.com should automatically redirect to your server's IP address on the specified port.

Testing Your Setup

Once DNS propagation completes, players can connect to your server using just your domain name (like yourdomain.com) instead of the full IP address and port combination. Minecraft will automatically use the SRV record to find the correct server connection details.