Cloudflare and Minecraft Servers Explained
Understand Cloudflare with Minecraft servers: DNS-only records, orange-cloud proxy limits, SRV records, DDoS expectations, and common connection mistakes.
Cloudflare is excellent for DNS and websites, but normal Minecraft Java traffic is not HTTP web traffic. Many Minecraft connection problems happen when admins enable the orange-cloud proxy on a Minecraft hostname.
DNS-Only vs Proxied
| Cloudflare mode | Meaning | Normal Minecraft Java | | --- | --- | --- | | DNS-only | Publishes DNS records | Usually correct | | Proxied orange cloud | Routes web traffic through Cloudflare | Usually wrong for Java servers |
For a normal Java server, use DNS-only for play.example.com.
If a record is DNS-only, players receive the server IP. If a record is proxied with the standard web proxy, Java clients usually cannot connect correctly.
A Records and SRV Records
A common setup:
| Type | Name | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A | node | Server public IP |
| SRV | _minecraft._tcp.play | Target node.example.com, port 25577 |
Use the SRV record guide if your server uses a custom port.
DDoS Expectations
Cloudflare DNS alone is not the same as Minecraft DDoS protection. DNS-only records still expose the target IP. If you need real game traffic protection, choose a host or service designed for Minecraft network traffic.
Common Mistakes
- Orange-cloud proxy enabled on
play. - SRV target points to a proxied hostname.
- SRV target is a raw IP.
- A record points to an old public IP.
- Root domain website DNS is mixed with Minecraft DNS.
If players see Unknown Host, read how to fix Unknown Host. If they time out, read Minecraft server timed out.
FAQ
Can Cloudflare proxy a Minecraft Java server?
The normal Cloudflare orange-cloud proxy is for web traffic, not standard Minecraft Java traffic. Use DNS-only unless you have a product specifically meant for that traffic.
Does Cloudflare hide my Minecraft server IP?
DNS-only records do not hide the server IP. They publish the IP so players can connect.
Can I use Cloudflare for SRV records?
Yes. You can use Cloudflare DNS for SRV records, but the target records for normal Minecraft Java should be DNS-only.
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