The most common reason a new player cannot connect to a Skyblock server is a version mismatch, and the error message rarely makes that obvious. Here is how to get it right.
Java or Bedrock
This is the first fork in the road, and they are genuinely different games.
Java Edition runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it is what almost every serious Skyblock server runs on. Plugin platforms like Paper and Spigot — which is what makes custom island systems, economies, and leaderboards possible — are Java-only.
Bedrock Edition is the console, mobile, and Microsoft Store version. It has its own server ecosystem, but it is much smaller for Skyblock specifically, and a Bedrock client cannot join a Java server without the server running a compatibility proxy.
If a server lists an IP and says “Java”, a Bedrock account will not connect, no matter what you type. That is not a bug in your setup.
Asteria is Java Edition only. We do not currently run a Bedrock proxy.
Which version number
Servers pin a specific Minecraft version, and your client usually needs to match it. Asteria runs 1.21.8.
Some servers run a compatibility plugin that lets a range of client versions connect. Many do not. Matching the listed version exactly is always safe; assuming your latest client will work is not.
This catches people out most often right after a Minecraft update, when the launcher has quietly moved to the newest release and the server has not updated yet.
How to switch versions in the launcher
On the official Minecraft Launcher:
- Open the launcher and go to the Installations tab.
- Click New installation.
- Pick the version you need from the dropdown — 1.21.8 for Asteria.
- Give it a name you will recognise, such as “Asteria”.
- Click Create, then Play on that installation.
Creating a new installation rather than changing your existing one matters. Opening a world that was saved in a newer version with an older client can corrupt it, and the launcher will warn you about this. A separate installation for server play keeps your single-player worlds untouched.
Common connection errors and what they mean
“Outdated client” or “Outdated server”. A straight version mismatch. The message tells you which side is behind. Change your installation to match the server’s listed version.
“Failed to connect: Connection refused”. Usually the server is offline or restarting, not a version problem. Check the server’s Discord or status page.
“Unknown host” or “Can’t resolve hostname”. The address is mistyped, or DNS has not resolved yet. Check for a missing letter, and note that server addresses generally do not need a port unless the server explicitly gives you one.
You connect, then get kicked immediately. Often a whitelist, a ban, or a server that has not opened to the public yet.
A note on modded clients
Performance mods such as Sodium, Iris, and Lithium are fine on nearly every server and are worth installing if your frame rate is poor.
Mods that change gameplay — reach, auto-clickers, x-ray, kill aura — will get you banned, and most servers run detection for them. Some servers also restrict specific quality-of-life mods such as minimaps with entity radar. If you are unsure, ask in Discord rather than finding out the hard way.
Getting onto Asteria
You need Minecraft Java Edition 1.21.8. The full walkthrough, including the server address and the first steps once you are in, is on the how to join page.
Season Zero has not opened yet — the server address is published in advance so you can save it, and the launch date goes out in Discord first.