Authentication Servers Down

What Does "Authentication Servers Are Down" Mean?

The error "Failed to login: The authentication servers are currently down for maintenance" occurs when Minecraft cannot verify your account with Mojang/Microsoft's authentication servers. Despite the message suggesting "maintenance," this error can have multiple causes.

Quick Checks First

1. Check Mojang Server Status

Before troubleshooting, verify if Mojang's services are actually down:

• Official Status Page: Visit help.minecraft.net
• Third-Party Checkers:
  • downdetector.com/status/minecraft
  • isitdownrightnow.com/minecraft.net.html
• Social Media: Check @MojangStatus on Twitter/X

If services are down: Wait for Mojang to resolve the issue (usually 30 minutes to a few hours).

2. Restart Minecraft Launcher

The simplest fix often works:

1. Close Minecraft completely (not just the game, but the launcher too)
2. Wait 30 seconds
3. Relaunch the launcher
4. Try connecting again

Common Causes and Solutions

Solution 1: Log Out and Log Back In

Your authentication session may have expired:

For Microsoft Account (Current):

1. Open Minecraft Launcher
2. Click your profile name/picture in top-left
3. Click Log out
4. Close the launcher completely
5. Reopen and log in with your Microsoft account
6. Try joining the server again

For Legacy Mojang Account:

1. You should migrate to Microsoft account (Mojang accounts are deprecated)
2. Visit account.microsoft.com to migrate
3. Follow the migration process

Solution 2: Clear Minecraft Cache

Corrupted cache files can cause authentication issues:

Windows:

1. Press Win + R
2. Type %appdata%\.minecraft
3. Delete these folders/files:
   • assets/
   • libraries/
   • versions/ (except the one you're using)
   • launcher_profiles.json
4. Restart launcher (it will redownload needed files)

Mac:

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd + Shift + G
3. Type ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft
4. Delete same folders as Windows
5. Restart launcher

Linux:

1. Open terminal
2. Navigate to ~/.minecraft
3. Delete same folders as Windows
4. Restart launcher

Solution 3: Flush DNS and Renew IP

DNS cache issues can prevent reaching authentication servers:

Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run these commands:

   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   netsh winsock reset

3. Restart your computer
4. Try launching Minecraft

Mac:

1. Open Terminal
2. Run: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. Enter your password
4. Restart Mac

Linux:

1. Open Terminal
2. Run: sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart
3. Or: sudo systemctl restart nscd
4. Restart computer

Solution 4: Allow Minecraft Through Firewall

Firewall may be blocking authentication:

Windows Firewall:

1. Open Windows Security
2. Click Firewall & network protection
3. Click Allow an app through firewall
4. Click Change settings
5. Find Java(TM) Platform SE binary
6. Check both Private and Public
7. Also find Minecraft Launcher and allow it
8. Click OK

Third-Party Firewalls/Antivirus:

• Temporarily disable to test
• If it works, add Minecraft as exception
• Add both launcher and Java to exceptions

Solution 5: Change DNS Servers

Using alternative DNS can resolve authentication issues:

Recommended DNS Options:

Provider	Primary DNS	Secondary DNS
Google DNS	8.8.8.8	8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS	1.1.1.1	1.0.0.1
OpenDNS	208.67.222.222	208.67.220.220

How to Change DNS (Windows 10/11):

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Click Change adapter options
3. Right-click your network connection → Properties
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
5. Click Properties
6. Select Use the following DNS server addresses
7. Enter Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
8. Enter Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
9. Click OK
10. Restart computer

Solution 6: Disable VPN/Proxy

VPNs and proxies can interfere with authentication:

1. Disconnect from VPN
2. Disable any proxy settings:
   • Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
   • Ensure "Automatically detect settings" is ON
   • Ensure "Use a proxy server" is OFF
3. Try connecting without VPN
4. If it works, try a different VPN server or use split tunneling

Solution 7: Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect system time causes authentication failures:

1. Open Settings → Time & Language
2. Enable Set time automatically
3. Enable Set time zone automatically
4. Click Sync now under "Additional settings"
5. Restart Minecraft Launcher

Solution 8: Reinstall Minecraft Launcher

Corrupted launcher installation can cause persistent issues:

1. Uninstall Minecraft Launcher:
   • Windows: Settings → Apps → Minecraft Launcher → Uninstall
   • Mac: Drag Minecraft from Applications to Trash
2. Delete Launcher Data:
   • Windows: Delete %appdata%\.minecraft\launcher_profiles.json
   • Mac: Delete ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/launcher_profiles.json
3. Download Fresh Launcher:
   • Visit minecraft.net/download
   • Download official launcher
4. Install and log in

Advanced Troubleshooting

Check Hosts File

Malware or modifications might block Mojang servers:

Windows:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator
2. Open: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3. Look for lines containing:
   • mojang.com
   • minecraft.net
   • authserver.mojang.com
4. Delete any such lines (or add # at the start to comment them out)
5. Save and restart

Reset Network Settings

Complete network reset can resolve stubborn issues:

Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Click Network reset (at bottom)
3. Click Reset now
4. Restart your computer
5. Reconfigure network (WiFi password, etc.)

Try Alternative Launcher

If official launcher continues to fail:

• MultiMC/Prism Launcher: Alternative launchers for modded Minecraft
• CurseForge App: For modpack-specific play
• ATLauncher: Another popular option

Account-Specific Issues

Account Not Migrated

Mojang accounts must be migrated to Microsoft:

1. Visit account.minecraft.net
2. Log in with Mojang account
3. Follow migration instructions
4. Link to existing or new Microsoft account
5. Complete security verification

Account Security Issues

Compromised accounts may have authentication problems:

• Change Password: Update your Microsoft account password
• Enable 2FA: Set up two-factor authentication
• Check Active Sessions: Review logged-in devices
• Contact Support: If account seems compromised

Game Pass / Xbox Account Issues

If you play via Xbox Game Pass:

• Verify Game Pass Active: Ensure subscription is current
• Reinstall from Xbox App: Uninstall and reinstall Minecraft
• Sign Out/In Xbox App: Refresh authentication
• Check Microsoft Store: Ensure store is working properly

Prevention Tips

Reduce future authentication errors:

• Stay Logged In: Don't log out unnecessarily
• Stable Internet: Use wired connection when possible
• Keep Launcher Updated: Accept launcher updates
• Don't Share Accounts: Simultaneous logins can cause issues
• Whitelist Minecraft Domains: In firewall and antivirus
• Regular Password Changes: Update password periodically
• Enable 2FA: Protect your account

Playing Offline (Singleplayer Only)

If you can't reach authentication servers but want to play singleplayer:

1. Open Minecraft Launcher
2. Log in while you have internet (if possible)
3. Once logged in, you can play offline for a limited time
4. Note: Cannot join multiplayer servers in offline mode

Server-Specific Authentication

Some servers have additional authentication layers:

Cracked/Offline Mode Servers

• Not recommended: Violates Minecraft ToS
• Security risks: No authentication = anyone can use your username
• ModdedMC is Online Mode: Requires legitimate Minecraft account

Server-Side Authentication Issues

If only one server gives authentication errors:

• Server May Be Down: Check server status
• Server Whitelist: You might need to apply
• Server Ban: You may be banned
• Wrong Version: Server and client version mismatch

When to Contact Support

Contact Microsoft Support If:

• Cannot log in to Microsoft account
• Account has been compromised
• Migration issues with Mojang account
• Purchase or subscription problems

Microsoft Support: support.microsoft.com

Contact Mojang Support If:

• Persistent authentication issues after trying all solutions
• Account recovery needed
• Billing issues with older Mojang accounts

Mojang Support: help.minecraft.net

Contact Server Staff If:

• Authentication error only on specific server
• Other players can join but you can't
• Error started after server update
• Whitelist or permission issues

ModdedMC Support: discord.gg/mmcn or moddedmc.net/tickets

Summary Checklist

Try these steps systematically:

1. ☐ Checked Mojang server status
2. ☐ Restarted Minecraft launcher completely
3. ☐ Logged out and logged back in
4. ☐ Cleared Minecraft cache
5. ☐ Flushed DNS and renewed IP
6. ☐ Allowed Minecraft through firewall
7. ☐ Changed to Google/Cloudflare DNS
8. ☐ Disabled VPN/proxy
9. ☐ Verified system date and time
10. ☐ Reinstalled Minecraft launcher
11. ☐ Migrated Mojang account to Microsoft
12. ☐ Contacted appropriate support

Related Issues

If this isn't your exact error:

• "Invalid Session" - Similar to authentication error, try same solutions
• "User not premium" - Need to purchase Minecraft
• Connection Reset - See our Connection Reset guide
• NullPointerException - See our NPE guide

Additional Resources

• Minecraft Help: help.minecraft.net
• Account Management: account.microsoft.com
• Migration Guide: minecraft.net/article/java-edition-moving-house
• Server Status: downdetector.com/status/minecraft
• ModdedMC Discord: discord.gg/mmcn