Minecraft Bedrock: "Unable to connect to world"

Quick answer

Bedrock Dedicated Server uses UDP port 19132 (19133 for IPv6). "Unable to connect to world" is a catch-all. The usual causes: the port was forwarded as TCP instead of UDP, the firewall blocks bedrock_server.exe, the server is on a different version than the players, the address and port were typed into the same box, the allowlist is empty, your provider uses CGNAT, or the player is on a console (consoles can't add external servers, and Nintendo Switch can't join self-hosted servers at all).

Ports

• 19132 UDP: Game, IPv4 (set in server.properties)
• 19133 UDP: Game, IPv6

How to fix it, step by step

1. Match the server version to the players. The client must be on the same version as the server, and Bedrock can't run older versions, so update the server every time the game updates. Preview servers aren't compatible with the full release.
2. Forward UDP 19132. Reserve the server PC's local IP and forward UDP 19132 to it. Forwarding TCP is a common mistake that fails silently.
3. Allow the server through the firewall. Allow bedrock_server.exe in Windows Firewall on both Private and Public networks.
4. Type the address and port separately. In Minecraft, put the IP or domain in the Server Address box and 19132 in the Port box. Don't type address:port into the address box.
5. Check the allowlist. With allow-list=true, only listed players can join. Add them with /allowlist add <gamertag>. A new server can have an empty allowlist that admits nobody. The allowlist only works with online-mode on.
6. Test from outside your network. Test from a phone on mobile data. Joining from the same Windows PC as the server needs a loopback exemption. If it works on your Wi-Fi but not outside, check the forward and CGNAT (see the CGNAT guide).

Xbox, PlayStation and Switch friends

Consoles can't add external servers from the menu; they can only join over LAN or featured servers. Some hosts describe DNS-redirect or helper-server workarounds. Nintendo Switch can't connect to a user-hosted server at all, only Realms or featured servers.

Using a domain name

Bedrock doesn't read SRV records. Point an A record at your IP and have players enter the port separately. A domain that relies on SRV gives Invalid IP address!.

Bedrock players joining a Java server (Geyser)

• Connect with the Java server's IP plus Geyser's UDP port (19132 by default).
• Outdated Geyser proxy! means the Bedrock client is newer than your Geyser build: update Geyser.
• Stuck on "Locating server": update the Java server, or lower Geyser's mtu by 100 at a time.
• Run geyser connectiontest <ip>:<port> to check reachability.

Test it from the outside

Your own Wi-Fi can't tell you whether friends can reach the server. The free Server Doctor check contacts your server once from the internet, the way the game does, and tells you the most likely cause. The same check runs in Discord with /fix.

No PC to host 24/7?

If you have console players or can't forward ports, Realms Plus (Bedrock) is listed at $7.99/month for 10 players plus the owner and works on every platform, including Switch. A hosted Bedrock server also avoids port forwarding and keeps the world online when your PC is off.

Related guides

• Friends can't join your Minecraft server? Here's the fix.
• Palworld friends can't join your dedicated server?
• Valheim server not showing up, or friends can't join?
• Hytale friends can't connect to your server?
• Behind CGNAT? Host a game server without port forwarding.
• All guides

Sources: minecraft.wiki/w/Tutorial:Setting_up_a_Bedrock_Edition_server · hythost.com/guides/minecraft-server-port-forwarding · geysermc.org/wiki/geyser/fixing-unable-to-connect-to-world/ · coalstack.net/docs/errors · tarohosting.com/en/blog/minecraft-server-connection-errors-explained · minecraft.net/en-us/realms · playit.gg/