What port does Unstable SMP use?
Enter the hostname without a port. Minecraft Java discovers the connection port through the server's DNS SRV record. The Java SRV record pointed to port 25594 when checked on September 13, 2026. Save play.unstablesmp.gg without appending :25565.
Why a hostname works as the server IP
A hostname is a readable address that DNS translates for Minecraft. It can continue pointing players to the right destination when the underlying numeric IP changes. Java can also look up a service record, called an SRV record, to discover a non-default port.
For this server, Java queries _minecraft._tcp.play.unstablesmp.gg. The DNS record supplies the target and port. You do not need to copy that record name or a numeric IP into Minecraft.
Do not force the default Java port
Port 25565 is a common Java default, but it is not the endpoint observed for this hostname. Entering play.unstablesmp.gg:25565 explicitly can bypass the intended automatic routing and fail even when the server is responding.
Use play.unstablesmp.gg by itself. If you previously saved an address with a port, edit the entry and remove it. The Java joining steps show the correct menu.
Reported server version versus supported client versions
The Java server reported 26.2 during the September 13, 2026 audit. A reported version is a response from the server, not a full compatibility list. Use Java 26.2, the version confirmed for the current joining instructions.
Use the Java status page to see the version currently reported. Check Minecraft's server list and announcements before changing your launcher installation. The site does not promise that all releases above a particular version will work.
What to enter and what to leave out
- Server Name: any label you recognize, such as Unstable SMP.
- Server Address: play.unstablesmp.gg.
- Java: no manually appended port.
- Leave out web prefixes, spaces, slashes, and page paths.
If Minecraft cannot resolve the hostname
Re-enter the hostname carefully and check announcements for a service issue. Avoid replacing it with an address from an old screenshot: the copied number may use a different endpoint or miss the Java port.
Keep the exact error message. Unknown Host, timeout, and version errors have different causes. For a quick address-only reference, return to the Unstable SMP server IP page.