How to fix Minecraft's 'Connection timed out' error
A Minecraft "Connection timed out" error usually means a network problem between your device and the server, such as an offline server, ISP routing issues, or a misconfigured proxy. Check the server status first, then test your route with WARP or MTR diagnostics.
A 'Connection timed out' error means your client sent a connection request that never got a reply. Most of the time this is a network problem between you and the server rather than the server itself: an offline server, an ISP routing issue, or a misconfigured proxy.
Why does this happen?
- The server is offline or restarting
- A host network issue, check status.berrybyte.net
- A proxy (BungeeCord, Velocity, or Waterfall) is misconfigured, if you're running one
- ISP or local network issues, the most common cause by far
How do I fix it?
Confirm the server is running
Check its status in your host's control panel, on berrybyte that's Overview. If you're using a proxy, verify its config points to the right server address and port.
Restart the server
If it's stuck or unresponsive, restart it from your host's panel. On berrybyte, restart it from Overview.
Test from outside your network
Check your Server address against mcsrvstat.us to see whether the server responds at all.
Try a different route
Switch to Cloudflare WARP or another VPN. Many timeouts come down to your ISP's path to the server, and a VPN routes around it.
Raise the keepalive timeout (Paper, self-hosted)
If you run your own Paper server, a low connection timeout on a slow initial handshake can
look like a network problem. Add -Dpaper.playerconnection.keepalive=90 to the Java startup
command to raise it. berrybyte's Minecraft servers don't expose an editable startup command,
so open a support ticket if you need this on
berrybyte.
Run diagnostics if it persists
Run an MTR trace to the server address and share the results in a support ticket so we can see where packets are being lost.
Common patterns
Timeouts affect only some players
Usually ISP routing or a regional network issue rather than the server. Cloudflare WARP or another VPN often fixes it.
Timeouts happen mostly during peak hours
Often the server running short on resources under load. berrybyte already applies Aikar's flags by default; if timeouts are a regular pattern at busy times, consider upgrading your server's resources.
A proxy is causing the timeouts
Review your BungeeCord, Velocity, or Waterfall config files in your host's file manager, on berrybyte that's Files, for a wrong target address or port.
Timeouts come and go with no clear pattern
Points to network instability rather than a server problem. Run MTR and open a ticket so support can compare the path from their side.
Never managed to connect at all, even once? Start with How to join a Minecraft server to double-check your address and port before digging into network diagnostics.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get 'Connection timed out' on Minecraft but my friends don't?
This is usually your ISP's routing to the server rather than the server itself. Try Cloudflare WARP or another VPN to take a different path.
Does 'Connection timed out' mean my server is down?
Not always. Check your host's control panel, on berrybyte that's Overview, to confirm the server is running before assuming it's a network issue on your end.
How do I check if a Minecraft server is online from outside my network?
Use mcsrvstat.us with your server's address, or check its status directly in your host's panel.
What is MTR and why would support ask for it?
MTR is a network diagnostic that traces the path to the server and shows where packets are being lost. Support uses it to pinpoint whether the problem is your network, ours, or somewhere in between.
Can I raise the Paper keepalive timeout to fix connection issues?
If you self-host a Paper server, yes, add -Dpaper.playerconnection.keepalive=90 to your Java startup command. berrybyte's Minecraft servers don't expose an editable startup command, so open a support ticket if you need this adjusted.