Console setup

Play on Xbox, PlayStation & Switch

Consoles can't add a server the normal way, so there's a one-time setup — about five minutes, and you never do it again. We'll walk you through every button. Jump to your console below.

What we're doing (and why it's safe)

The short version

One setting, one time

Your console can't type in a server address on its own. So we change one network setting (called DNS) that lets it reach a free helper tool, which then hands you our server. That's the whole trick.

Is it safe?

Yes, and reversible

It's free, it doesn't touch your account, and it changes nothing about your console except which "phone book" it uses to find servers. Want it gone? Set DNS back to Automatic anytime and you're exactly as you were.

Two things that trip everyone up

Read this first

There is no "Add Server" button

On console, Minecraft has no Add-Server button — that's normal, don't go hunting for it. Instead you tap a Featured Server tile and a menu pops up. That menu is where our server goes.

And this

Don't test with The Hive

When you tap a Featured Server to trigger the menu, use Lifeboat or Mineville. The Hive blocks this trick and drops you into the real Hive instead — so it looks like nothing worked even when your setup is perfect.

Pick your console

Microsoft

Xbox →

Series X|S or Xbox One. DNS 104.238.130.180. Mind the IPv6 note.

Sony

PlayStation →

PS5 or PS4. Uses a different DNS: 45.55.68.52.

Nintendo

Switch →

DNS 104.238.130.180.

Xbox (Series X|S / One)

Set the DNS, then read the IPv6 note — on Xbox it's the #1 reason this fails.

  1. Press the Xbox button → Profile & System → Settings.
  2. General → Network settings → Advanced settings → DNS settings → Manual.
  3. Primary IPv4 DNS: 104.238.130.180
  4. Secondary IPv4 DNS: 8.8.8.8
  5. Press B to save. Run the connection test if it offers one.
  6. Fully restart the Xbox — hold the power button, choose Restart (not the quick standby). This clears the old settings from memory.
If no menu appears, this is why

Turn off IPv6 (the Xbox trap)

Xbox often ignores the DNS you just set when your Wi‑Fi uses IPv6 — the screen looks right, but the console quietly uses a different one. If Featured Servers still connect normally with no pop-up, fix it from your phone or computer (no console typing):

  1. In a web browser, go to 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.0.1).
  2. Log into your router — the password is usually on a sticker on the router itself.
  3. Find IPv6 (usually under Advanced or Internet) and set it to Off. Save.
  4. Fully restart the Xbox and try again.

Can't touch the router? As a fallback, set the Xbox's IPv6 DNS to Manual — primary 2001:19f0:4009:4126:5400:00ff:fe22:0d52, secondary 2001:4860:4860::8888 — but that's a lot to type on a controller, so try the router first.

PlayStation (PS5 / PS4)

PlayStation uses a different DNS than Xbox/Switch: 45.55.68.52 (the usual one has known PlayStation issues).

PS5

Steps

  1. Settings (gear, top-right) → Network → Settings.
  2. Set Up Internet Connection → highlight your Wi‑Fi → press the Options button → Advanced Settings.
  3. DNS Settings → Manual.
  4. Primary 45.55.68.52 · Secondary 8.8.8.8. Save.
  5. Fully restart the PS5, then go to "Now get into Hells Domain" below.
PS4

Steps

  1. Settings → Network → Set Up Internet Connection.
  2. Choose your Wi‑Fi → Custom.
  3. IP Address Automatic · DHCP Host Name Do Not Specify.
  4. DNS Settings → Manual: Primary 45.55.68.52 · Secondary 8.8.8.8.
  5. MTU Automatic · Proxy Do Not Use. Save, then fully restart.

Nintendo Switch

Switch uses DNS 104.238.130.180.

  1. From the HOME menu: System Settings → Internet → Internet Settings.
  2. Under Registered Networks, pick your Wi‑Fi → Change Settings.
  3. DNS Settings → Manual.
  4. Primary DNS 104.238.130.180 · Secondary DNS 8.8.8.8. Save.
  5. Fully restart the Switch (hold power → Power Options → Restart).

If the Servers list shows only "Coming Soon" tiles, back out and re-open it, or restart once more — the Switch sometimes needs a nudge to load them.

Now get into Hells Domain

The same for every console, once your DNS is set and you've restarted.

  1. Open Minecraft → Play → the Servers tab.
  2. Tap a Featured Server tile — Lifeboat or Mineville (remember: not The Hive).
  3. Instead of that server, a menu appears ("Connect to a Server" / a server list). That's the helper — you're on the right track.
  4. Choose Connect to a Server, then enter — Address mc.hellsdomain.com · Port 19132.
  5. Connect. Once you're in, favorite the server so it's one tap next time.

You're in. Every command, job, town, and shop works the same for you — your name just shows a . in front so it can't clash with a Java player's.

Troubleshooting

Every server connects normally — no menu ever pops up
Your console isn't actually using the DNS you set. On Xbox, that's almost always IPv6 — turn it off at the router (see the Xbox section). On any console: make sure the DNS says Manual (not Automatic), that it's on the network you're actually connected to, and fully restart after saving.
I tapped The Hive and it took me straight in
Expected — The Hive blocks this method. Go back and use Lifeboat or Mineville instead.
I set the DNS but nothing changed
Do a full restart of the console (not the instant-on / standby) so it forgets the old settings, and double-check the new DNS actually saved.
Switch shows only "Coming Soon" servers
Back out of the Servers tab and re-open it, or restart the Switch once more. It sometimes needs a nudge to load the Featured Servers.
Still nothing after turning IPv6 off
A few routers and internet providers force their own DNS and ignore yours. If you've tried IPv6 off + a full restart + Lifeboat/Mineville and still get no menu, tell a staff member — we'll get you sorted.
Is there an app that does this?
There's a paid phone app with a similar name — it's a different, unrelated product and you don't need it. This DNS method is free and is all it takes.
How do I undo all this?
Set your console's DNS back to Automatic. That's it — everything's back to normal, and you can switch it to Manual again whenever you want to play.

In the game? Here's how everything works

Towns, money, jobs, skills, brewing, fishing, shops — the full handbook.

Open the player guide