How to Connect a Custom Domain to your Minecraft Server (SRV-only setup)

This guide explains how to let players join your FernHost Minecraft server using a domain like play.yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com using only SRV records (no A records).

You will need:

• A registered domain (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Porkbun, etc.)
• Access to your domain’s DNS settings
• Your FernHost server details from the game panel

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1. Get your server details from FernHost

1. Log in to your FernHost game panel.
2. Open your Minecraft server.
3. Locate:
   • The node hostname (example: ffm-node-01.fernhost.gg)
   • The port (example: 25567)

These values are shown in your panel and must be used exactly as provided there.
Do not guess them — always use the real node + port from the dashboard.

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2. How SRV-only setup works (important)

Instead of pointing a domain directly to an IP with an A record, you will:

• Use an SRV record to define:

  • Minecraft service (_minecraft)
  • Port (from your panel)
  • Target hostname (your FernHost node)

• Use your domain name directly as the “entry point”:

  • play.yourdomain.com
  • yourdomain.com

⚠️ Important: SRV records still require a valid hostname as a target (your FernHost node like ffm-node-01.fernhost.gg). That hostname resolves automatically on the provider side.

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3. Create an SRV record for play.yourdomain.com

In your domain DNS panel, add a new record:

• Type: SRV
• Service: _minecraft
• Protocol: _tcp
• Name / Host: play
• Priority: 0
• Weight: 5
• Port: your server port from FernHost (example: 25567)
• Target: your server node hostname (example: ffm-node-01.fernhost.gg)

That’s it.

After DNS propagation, players will be able to join using:

• play.yourdomain.com

No port needed.

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4. Create an SRV record for the root domain (yourdomain.com)

If you want players to join without any subdomain:

Add another SRV record:

• Type: SRV
• Service: _minecraft
• Protocol: _tcp
• Name / Host: @
• Priority: 0
• Weight: 5
• Port: your server port from FernHost (example: 25567)
• Target: your server node hostname (example: ffm-node-01.fernhost.gg)

Now players can join using:

• yourdomain.com

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5. Wait for DNS propagation

DNS changes are not instant.

• Usually takes a few minutes
• Sometimes up to 1 hour (rarely longer depending on provider)

Avoid repeatedly editing records while waiting.

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6. Test your domain in Minecraft

Once DNS is active:

1. Open Minecraft
2. Go to Multiplayer
3. Add Server
4. Enter:
   • play.yourdomain.com
     or
   • yourdomain.com
5. Join

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Troubleshooting

If it doesn’t work:

• Double-check the node hostname and port in your FernHost panel
• Ensure SRV records are exactly _minecraft._tcp
• Make sure there are no conflicting old A or CNAME records for the same host
• Wait for DNS propagation

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