Hypixel IP: mc.hypixel.net and How to Join

Hypixel server IP (mc.hypixel.net)

The official and only address of the Hypixel server is mc.hypixel.net. The default port is 25565, so you enter just the address, without a colon or any digits. Hypixel has no regional mirror addresses: players from Europe, the US and Asia all connect to the same address.

Warning: addresses such as hypixel.pl, hypixel-pl.net or polski-hypixel.eu are not Hypixel servers. They are either copies run by other owners or fakes meant to phish for your data. The official Hypixel lives only at mc.hypixel.net, and its website is at hypixel.net. If you're looking for something different, check our list of Minecraft servers.

How to connect to Hypixel step by step

The steps below are for Minecraft Java Edition, the only version Hypixel supports.

Launch the official Minecraft Launcher (Mojang/Microsoft) and sign in with your Minecraft account.
In the launcher, pick a profile with version 1.8.9 (classic PvP) or 1.20.x / 1.21.x (full modern gameplay). Click "Play".
In the game's main menu, choose "Multiplayer".
Click "Add Server". In the "Server Address" field, enter: mc.hypixel.net. You can name the server anything you like.
Save the server and join. After a moment you'll land in the main lobby.

In the lobby you pick a minigame from the NPCs or with a command (for example /play bedwars). We cover joining any server in more detail in our guide to joining a server.

Requirements: a Java Edition account and version

Hypixel has two hard requirements (the first two items below), and without them you simply won't get into the game. The other two are recommendations:

A genuine Minecraft Java Edition account, bought at minecraft.net. The server verifies your account through Mojang/Microsoft sessions. Cracked (offline) clients are rejected at the handshake.
Java Edition version 1.8.9 to 1.21.x: the most popular are 1.8.9 (PvP, Bedwars, Skywars) and the current stable release. Bedrock Edition (phones, consoles, Windows 10/11) does not connect to Hypixel.
A stable connection: Hypixel is hosted in the USA, so your ping depends on where you live (from Poland the average is 100-140 ms). For PvP it pays to use a wired connection and turn off background downloads (cloud sync, updates).
At least 4 GB of RAM allocated to the game client, especially if you use shaders and PvP texture packs.

If you don't own the game yet, read our Java vs Bedrock comparison: only the Java version gets you onto Hypixel.

The most popular games on Hypixel

Hypixel is a network of dozens of minigames. These are the ones that bring in the most traffic and have the biggest communities:

Bedwars: team PvP with beds and resources. The server's flagship mode and one of the busiest on the whole of Hypixel. We cover the full rules and strategy on our page Bedwars: how and where to play.
Skywars: fighting on floating islands, solo or in teams. Quick matches (5-10 min), with a strong emphasis on kiting and mids. See the Skywars entry on our wiki.
Hypixel SMP: survival multiplayer, an alternative to classic vanilla survival.
Duels: 1v1 in many variants (Classic, Sumo, UHC, NoDebuff, SkyWars Duels). The best way to practice PvP and find out your ELO rank.
UHC Champions: team Ultra Hardcore with natural regeneration turned off. It takes teamwork and gathering resources in a limited time.
SkyBlock: an expansive RPG-style SkyBlock with dungeons, bosses and an economy. Less classic Minecraft, more MMO.
Murder Mystery, Build Battle, TNT Games, Blitz SG: casual modes, a good way for new players to get started on the server.

Every minigame has its own leaderboard and stats, visible in the /stats menu. If you're curious about the minigame concept on other servers, we have a separate article on Minecraft minigame servers.

Can't connect? Troubleshooting

Most connection problems are one of the situations below. Go through them in order:

"Failed to connect to the server"

The most common cause is a mistyped address. Make sure you have exactly mc.hypixel.net, with no spaces, no https:// and no suffix like :25565. The second common reason is a network block (school, work, hotel): Hypixel is often blocked along with the hypixel.net domain. Try another connection (your phone's LTE as a hotspot).

"You need to update your version" / "Outdated client"

You're using a version outside the supported range. Hypixel supports 1.8.9, and 1.9 and up to the latest stable release. Snapshots, pre-releases and beta versions aren't supported. Change the profile in your launcher to 1.8.9 or 1.20.x.

IPv6 problems

Some internet providers route traffic over IPv6, and Hypixel has been known to have trouble with it. If you get a timeout, turn off IPv6 in your network adapter settings or on your router, or add the JVM startup argument -Djava.net.preferIPv4Stack=true.

"Invalid session" / "Bad login"

Hypixel requires a genuine Mojang/Microsoft session. This error means you're using a cracked launcher or your session has expired. Sign in again with your Microsoft account in the official Minecraft Launcher, because there is no workaround. If you don't own the game yet, buy it at minecraft.net.

"You are banned from this server"

Hypixel has one of the strictest anti-cheat systems in the industry (Watchdog). Clients with mods like X-Ray, Aimbot, Kill Aura or autoclickers get you banned. If you're sure you didn't cheat, submit an appeal on the Hypixel website.

High ping / lag

Hypixel is hosted in the USA. A ping of 80-140 ms from Poland is normal. If you see 300+ ms, check whether you're using a VPN (turn it off), whether other devices on your network are streaming (limited bandwidth) and whether you're on Wi-Fi instead of a LAN cable. Our guide on how to increase FPS in Minecraft can help with smoother gameplay, too.

FAQ

Is Hypixel free?

Yes, playing on Hypixel costs nothing beyond buying the original Minecraft. The VIP, VIP+, MVP and MVP+ ranks and Boosters are paid, but they don't give you an advantage in gameplay. They are purely cosmetic.

Does Hypixel have regional servers?

No. Hypixel is a single global network with a data center in the USA and no plans for local branches. Players from every country join the same main server, and English is the default language. If you are looking for a community in your own language, browse our list of Minecraft servers.

Which ranks does Hypixel have?

Hypixel ranks are split into Default (free) and the paid cosmetic ranks VIP, VIP+, MVP, MVP+ and MVP++. There is also a YouTuber rank for content creators. Ranks don't affect minigame mechanics.

Can I play Hypixel on a phone or on Bedrock Edition?

No. Hypixel doesn't offer a Bedrock version. On a phone, try other servers: we have lists in the Bedrock servers and Minecraft PE sections.

What is Hypixel SkyBlock, and is it a separate server?

SkyBlock is a minigame inside Hypixel, available at the same IP (mc.hypixel.net). You go to the lobby and pick SkyBlock from the menu or with the /play skyblock command. It has so much content (dungeons, pets, enchantments unique to the mode) that many players treat it as a separate game. You can find the classic skyblock, without all that baggage, in our description of classic SkyBlock. We explain where to start in our guide Hypixel SkyBlock for beginners.