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.
The 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.
Reviewed by the MC Monitor Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches server listings, verifies live status data, and keeps these guides current. Last review: June 2026.