Connect your own domain to your game server
Would you like to make your game server accessible under your own domain (e.g. play.yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com) instead of yourserver.game-serverhosting.de? This guide takes you through the process step by step — proof of ownership, the correct DNS record type and the optional SRV record for connecting without specifying a port.
Overview: three DNS records (two required, one optional)
| # | Record | Purpose | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TXT |
Proof of ownership | yes |
| 2 | CNAME (subdomain) or A (apex) |
Connection to the server | yes |
| 3 | SRV (Minecraft only) |
Connect without specifying a port | optional |
You create these records with your own DNS provider (e.g. Cloudflare, Namecheap, IONOS, Strato). You will find the exact values to copy in the dashboard under “Custom Domain”.
Step 1: Proof of ownership via TXT record
To prevent anyone from pointing domains they do not own to our servers, we require proof of ownership. Create this TXT record:
Name: _gsh-verify.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: gsh-verify=<your-individual-token>
You will find the exact token in the dashboard — copy it exactly as shown. Any subdomains in the domain (e.g. play) are included: in that case, the name is _gsh-verify.play.yourdomain.com.
Step 2: Point to the server — CNAME or A record
Now connect your domain to the server. The correct record type depends on whether you are using a subdomain or an apex domain.
Subdomain (recommended): CNAME
Point a subdomain such as play.yourdomain.com to your server using a CNAME:
Name: play.yourdomain.com
Type: CNAME
Target: yourserver.game-serverhosting.de
Important: DNS only / grey cloud! If your DNS provider is Cloudflare, the orange cloud (proxy) MUST be disabled — set it to grey (“DNS only”). The Cloudflare proxy is intended for HTTP/HTTPS and blocks your server's raw game TCP/UDP traffic. Your server is not accessible while the proxy is enabled.
Apex domain (without a subdomain): A record
According to RFC 1034, an apex domain (also called a “root domain”, e.g. yourdomain.com without www or play in front) cannot have a CNAME. Instead, use an A record that points directly to your server's IP address:
Name: yourdomain.com
Type: A
Value: <your server's IP address>
You can find the IP address in the dashboard. Please note: if your server is moved to another node later, you will need to update this A record — a subdomain with a CNAME, on the other hand, follows automatically. The same applies here: DNS only, no proxy.
Step 3 (optional, Minecraft only): SRV record for connecting without specifying a port
Without an SRV record, Minecraft Java clients connect using the default port 25565. If your server is running on another port, your players would need to enter yourdomain.com:25584. With an SRV record, there is no need to specify the port at all:
Name: _minecraft._tcp.yourdomain.com
Type: SRV
Value: 0 5 <Port> <Target>
Example for port 25584 with the target yourserver.game-serverhosting.de:
0 5 25584 yourserver.game-serverhosting.de
The four values mean: priority (0), weight (5), port, target hostname.
No conflict with the apex domain: Unlike a CNAME, an SRV record does not conflict with an apex domain's A record. Both records (
Aforyourdomain.comandSRVfor_minecraft._tcp.yourdomain.com) can exist alongside each other in the same zone without any issues — the RFC 1034 restriction applies exclusively to CNAME records.
The SRV record is located in your own zone and cannot be verified by us — it is entirely optional and does not affect domain verification.
Step 4: Wait for verification
Once the TXT and CNAME/A records have been set, we check your domain automatically every 2 minutes. You do not need to click anything — the dashboard polls in the background and changes the status from “Pending” to “Verified” as soon as both records have been identified correctly.
Depending on the provider, DNS changes can take a few minutes to an hour to propagate worldwide. It is normal to have to wait.
Connect without an SRV record
If you have not set an SRV record, you and your players can simply connect using the domain followed by the port:
yourdomain.com:25584
Frequently asked questions
Why is my server not accessible after setting the CNAME? By far the most common cause is that the Cloudflare proxy is still enabled (orange cloud). Set the record to “DNS only” (grey cloud). The proxy blocks game traffic.
Why is the CNAME not inherited by the SRV record?
DNS records are not inherited hierarchically. _minecraft._tcp.yourdomain.com is a separate entry and must be created separately — even if yourdomain.com is already pointing to the server via a CNAME/A record.
Can I use an apex domain AND an SRV record at the same time? Yes. An A record (apex) and an SRV record can coexist without conflict. Only CNAME records are prohibited for apex domains.
Do I really need to enter the port?
Only without an SRV record. With an SRV record, Minecraft Java clients automatically connect using the correct port — players only need to enter yourdomain.com.