Test on your LAN
Join at home before adding mods, plugins or public access.
Join before going public#
Use a gaming PC on the same normal home network. Install the same Minecraft Java version and, if the server requires client mods, the matching Fabric profile and mod versions.
- 1Start the server and wait for Done in Crafty’s console.
- 2Open Minecraft Java Edition and choose Multiplayer.
- 3Click Add Server.
- 4Enter the ZimaOS LAN IP, such as
192.168.1.50. - 5Add
:25565only when the server uses a non-default presentation or you want to be explicit. - 6Save and join.
192.168.1.50:25565Read the symptom#
Connection refused
The address answered but nothing accepted the port. Confirm the server is running, the port is 25565, the container publishes it and a firewall is not blocking it.
Timed out
Recheck the LAN IP, Ethernet, guest-network isolation and server startup. A timeout usually means the traffic never reached a listening server.
Incompatible version
The client’s Minecraft version or mod set differs. Match Minecraft, Fabric Loader and every mod required on both sides.
Unknown host
Use the numeric local IP instead of a hostname. Check for spaces or copied punctuation.
Authentication servers unavailable
Keep online-mode=true. Check internet access and Mojang/Microsoft service status; do not switch to offline mode as a shortcut.