Troubleshooting Guides

How do I find my Gamertag?

Java Edition

Your Gamertag is found in the Minecraft Launcher.

  • Open the Minecraft Launcher
  • Make sure you are signed into your Microsoft account (see below for help with this)
  • Open the account info by clicking on your name
  • Select View All Accounts
  • Your gamertag shows up right below your name

Bedrock Edition

Your Gamertag will show up over your character's avatar on the game's main screen. In this screenshot the player's Gamertag is 'JumboAcrobat974'. Note that your Minecraft app must be signed into your Microsoft account in order to join a server. See the 'How to check if I am signed in?' section for more help.

How to check if I am signed in?

Java Edition

Bedrock Edition

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It's possible to play the game without signing in. In this case the default gamertag will be 'Steve' (but note, that it can also be changed so it might be something different on your app).

To find out if you're signed in:

  • Click on the Profile button below the avatar. This brings up the Profile screen.
  • Click on the Gear button. This takes you to the User Profile and Settings screen
  • If it shows "Sign out of your Microsoft Account", then you are signed in correctly. At the top of the screen it will show you the Gamertag.
  • If it shows "Sign in for Free!", then you are not signed in and will need to get signed in before you can join any Playdates.

Connection Issues

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Problem

In our experience, this error is  due to a bug in the Minecraft app. It occurs immediately after signing in if you haven't closed and restarted the app.

When we encounter this problem, we have noticed that it also affects any server you try to connect to, even the featured servers builtin to the app (go ahead and try connecting, you'll get the same error).

Solution

What has always worked for us is to close the Minecraft app entirely (on a tablet, show your running apps and swipe it away. On a computer exit the application), and then relaunch it. It always seems to work after that.

Connecting takes a long time

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Solution

The first time connecting to a world takes a long time.

Additionally, if your network is extremely slow or has poor connection quality, you may experience longer than normal waiting times because there is a lot of game data that needs to travel back and forth between the server and the app before entering the game. Our recommendation is to check your connection quality, moving to a location with better coverage (if on a mobile network), or with better wifi signal.

You're not invited to play on this server

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Problem

Connecting to a server gets the error "You're not invited to play on this server"

Solution

The playdate host, has not invited the account you're signed in with to the game. This may be because the host has never invited you, has uninvited you, or you are signed into the Minecraft app with a different Gamertag than you provided the Playdate host (or they typo'd when entering it, or you typo'd while giving it to them!). Verify you are signed in with the same account you provided the Playdate host, and contact the host directly to get invited.

Note

We have found that after sometimes hitting the 'OK' button on the 'You're not invited to play on this server' screen, that the Minecraft application  hangs out on this "Connecting to external server" screen seemingly forever. If this happens to you, just hit the 'Cancel'' button, and that should bring you back to the server selection page.

Start Playing ❯

Joining from Game Consoles (Xbox, Switch, Playstation)

Problem

Gaming consoles don't offer the option to add your own servers, they only have the ability to pick a "featured server" or play a local game.

Recommended Solution

This solution requires a one time setup on your gaming console. This replaces the "DNS" network setting with a new setting that takes over the featured server slots and replaces it with a chooser that lets you pick between the featured servers and servers you add yourself. The following Youtube links show you how to do the setup on each console. If you prefer written instructions, visit the Bedrock Connectsite.

Alternative Solution

If changing the DNS settings on your console is not possible for you, and you have an extra iOS or Android mobile device that can be available for the duration of the playtime, there are a few apps you can use that make Bedrock servers show up as local games on your network.

Android (Google Play)
Apple / iOS
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