How to Get a Server IP That Doesn't Change (Dynamic DNS)
Most home internet gives you an IP address that changes periodically — so the Minecraft server address you gave friends stops working. Dynamic DNS (DDNS) fixes this with a permanent hostname. Here's how it works and how to set it up.
By MC Monitor · 1 min read
Setup & Self-HostingThe problem: changing IPs
Your ISP assigns your home a public IP that can rotate days or weeks apart. If you self-host a Minecraft server (see our make-a-server guide), friends connecting to 123.45.67.89:25565 will hit a dead address once it changes.
What Dynamic DNS does
A DDNS service gives you a fixed hostname like myworld.ddns.net. A small updater (often built into your router) notices when your IP changes and points the hostname at the new one automatically. Friends always use the hostname — it never breaks.
How to set it up
- Sign up for a free DDNS provider (No-IP, DuckDNS, or similar).
- Create a hostname (e.g.
myworld.ddns.net). - Enable DDNS in your router's settings (most have a built-in client) or run the provider's updater app.
- Give friends the hostname instead of your raw IP — combined with port 25565 forwarding, you're done.
Prefer not to self-host?
Paid hosts and public servers already have stable addresses — no DDNS needed. Browse our server list for communities with fixed, reliable IPs.