ACLClouds
ACLClouds

Free subdomain for your Minecraft server: A + SRV guide

Claim a free subdomain, create the A and SRV records, then give players an address with no port. Java, Bedrock and checks.

Giving players an easy address such as myserver.aclclouds.online saves you from sharing an IP and a port. A free subdomain with DNS management is enough: an A record, plus an SRV record if the port is not 25565.

  • An A record points your subdomain to the server IP.
  • A _minecraft._tcp SRV record saves players from typing the port on Minecraft Java.
  • Minecraft Bedrock does not read SRV records: share the address and the port.
  • The ACLClouds subdomain is free, with no credit card and 50 records.

Why use a subdomain

An IP address changes as soon as you move to another machine, and every player needs the port. A name stays the same: you edit the DNS record and players keep the same address in their server list.

  • A stable address, even if the server IP changes.
  • No port to type thanks to the SRV record (Minecraft Java).
  • Works with any host or with your own machine.

Claim your free subdomain

On the free subdomain page, type the name you want, check that it is available, then create your ACLClouds account: it is free and needs no credit card. You get one subdomain per account and 50 records.

  • A verified e-mail is required to claim a name.
  • The availability shown is indicative and confirmed when you claim.
  • The name stays yours as long as your account exists.

Create the A record to your server

In the DNS dashboard, pick the “My VPS / my server” preset and enter the IPv4 address of the machine that runs Minecraft (IPv6 is optional). For an ACLClouds Minecraft server, the address is in the server panel.

  • A: the name to an IPv4 address, AAAA for an IPv6 address.
  • If your server listens on the default port 25565, the A record is already enough.
  • A short TTL (300 seconds) speeds up fixes while you test.

Add the SRV record for the port

If the port is not 25565, add the “Minecraft (SRV)” preset: enter your full subdomain as the target and the server port. The _minecraft._tcp record is created for you, and players only type the name.

  • Minecraft Java reads the SRV record and connects to the right port.
  • Minecraft Bedrock does not read SRV records: share the address and the port (19132 by default).
  • The SRV target must be a name that has an A or AAAA record, never a CNAME.

Check and troubleshoot

Test with dig myserver.aclclouds.online A, then dig _minecraft._tcp.myserver.aclclouds.online SRV, or with an online propagation tool. If the answer is right but the connection fails, the cause is almost always the firewall or the port.

  • A DNS change is visible within minutes, sometimes a few hours.
  • Make sure the server port is open in the machine’s firewall.
  • To understand each record type, read the guide to DNS records.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a paid domain name for a Minecraft server?

No. A free subdomain with DNS management is enough to create the A and SRV records. A paid domain name is only useful if you want a name of your own, for a brand for example.

Why do my players have to type the port?

Without an SRV record, Minecraft uses port 25565. If your server listens elsewhere, add the SRV record, or give the address followed by the port (name:port).

Does the subdomain work with Bedrock?

Yes for the address (A record), but Bedrock does not read SRV records: players must enter the port, 19132 by default.