While a lot of people play Minecraft as a single-player game, others want to explore the world of blocks alongside friends. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for fans of the game to create private servers and adventure together in their own realm. Usually, Minecraft players don’t have to do much to join private servers. That being said, the joining process is not free of frustration and the Minecraft realms outdated server error is a prime example.
Approaches To The Situation
Switch Version
For Players
New to the multiplayer mode of Minecraft and Minecraft realms outdated server error is giving you a hard time? Then it’s a good idea to switch to a version of Minecraft that works with the server.
- Step 1: Open Minecraft Launcher and go to Installations.
- Step 2: Click New Installation.
- Step 3: Select the version that is compatible with the server.
- Step 4: Hit Create.
- Step 5: Restart your game and see how things turn out.
If the problem persists, contact the administrator of the server for more details.
For Server Administrators
If you manage a Minecraft server and you receive reports about the outdated server error, you should change the version of the realm. For your information, the realm version is your Minecraft version.
- Step 1: Go to Microsoft Store.
- Step 2: Go to Library.
- Step 3: Scroll down, locate Minecraft and click it
- Step 4: Click Update to get the latest version of Minecraft.
Note: you can choose to click the Get Updates to download all updates for all of your applications. However, if you only want to update Minecraft, stick to the procedures above.
Replace The Realm
- Step 1: Go to Minecraft, select Play and select a realm to download
- Step 2: Choose Edit World, hit Download and place the realm on your computer
- Step 3: Pick the realm you like to replace, select Edit World and choose Replace World.
- Step 4: Select the downloaded realm on your computer
- Step 5: Initiate the replacement
Leave The Program
In layman’s terms, beta users can’t participate in non-beta servers. Hence, if you are a part of the beta program and wish to play alongside non-beta friends, leave the program.
- Step 1: Launch the Xbox Insider Hub and navigate to Insider Content.
- Step 2: Select Minecraft then hit Manage.
- Step 3: Click Unenroll.
Now that you are no longer enrolled in the program, you may join whatever realms you like.
Uninstall And Reinstall Minecraft
In the case that none of the above takes care of Minecraft realms outdated server error, uninstall and reinstall Minecraft.
- Step 1: Open the Start menu, scroll down to Minecraft and right-click it.
- Step 2: Choose uninstall and follow the prompts.
- Step 3: Once the uninstallation wraps up, reboot your computer.
You may download the latest version of the game via the Minecraft launcher from the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, if you do not want to use the launcher, you can visit the Minecraft website to download the game.
Outdated Server Error: Insights
The multiplayer mode of Minecraft features a number of issues but if you keep getting the outdated server error, consider the following possibilities:
- Your version of Minecraft is not the same as that of the server.
- The version of the game in the realm is out of date.
- Incomplete installation/upgrade of the game
- You are a participant of the Beta program.
How Do I See The Minecraft Versions That A Realm Supports?
Add the server to the server list and it will display the range of Minecraft versions that can be played. If your version of the game is one of the compatible versions, you can join the server with relative ease.
What Happens To Your Current World If You Replace It With A New One?
Any changes you have made after your most recent backup will be lost. If you want to keep it, you just need to download your current realm world.
Is It Possible To Run Into The Outdated Error While Playing Minecraft On Mobile?
It’s possible but don’t worry as everything mentioned here still applies to the mobile versions.
Advice
- It’s wise to use the Minecraft launcher to play Minecraft. The game should take less time to load and the risk of corruption is low.
- A simple restart can solve a wide range of errors.
- Take a look at the network connection every now and then. If your Internet connection isn’t stable, you cannot play Minecraft in multiplayer mode.

Michael Kan has been with Ginno Security Lab since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at Ginno Security Lab he was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
Areas of Expertise: Michael Kan has been working as a journalist for about 15 years— He start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City. Amazingly he is still here. Lately, he has been following SpaceX’s Starlink network, emerging online cyber threats, and the PC graphics card market (which led him to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000). He is always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send he tips.
The Best Tech he has Had:
- First video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
- Sega Saturn despite PlayStation’s popularity.
- The iPod Video received as a gift in college
- Xbox 360 FTW
- The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone he was proud to own.
- The PC desktop he built in 2013, which still works to this day.