How to Resolve the “io.netty.channel.abstractchannel$annotatedconnectexception” Error in MineCraft?

Minecraft is a sandbox game that was developed by Mojang Studios. It is written in the Java programming language and was released in 2011. It is one of the most popular games in the world.

Upon its release, the game gained instant popularity. Over the years, it has amassed a huge fanbase and they have helped make it the bestselling game of all time. Today, over 200 million copies of this game have been sold. That is not all: it has more than 120 million active users.

With Minecraft, players get an open-ended gaming experience with multiple game modes; this gives them great freedom by allowing them to play any how they want. It offers both single and multiplayer game modes; players can cooperate and compete with each other to achieve specific objectives.

While this game has a lot of pros, it is not without its cons. For example, it has some errors that impede players from playing and enjoying it. One of these errors is io.netty.channel: it is an error where players are unable to connect to a multiplayer game via local network or the internet.

There are several versions of this error and the one you face is dependent on the version of the game you are playing. The following are the different ways in which this error manifests:

• netty.channel.ConnectTimeoutException connection timed out
• netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException: Connection refused: no further information
• netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException: Connection timed out

The io.netty.channel error doesn’t offer much information. Mostly, it indicates there is a connection issue. This issue can be caused by several things such as IP issue, Windows Defender Firewall, Outdated Java, etc.

What are the Causes of io.netty.channel.abstractchannel$annotatedconnectexception Error?

The following are some of the reasons why this error occurs in Minecraft:

IP Problem: Oftentimes, this error is the result of a wrong IP address or listed port when trying to connect to a server. Normally, computers utilize IP addresses and ports in forwarding connections to servers. They – IP addresses – are not constant and the one assigned to each player will change from time to time. Sometimes, multiple users are assigned the same IP address and this will result in difficulties. Because of this, you should ensure your IP address changes. You can do this by resetting your router.

And as soon as the server approves this connection, it becomes established. The IP address each player is assigned by their different ISPs changes from time to time. Also, As such, it is important to change the IP address occasionally.

Firewall: Your Windows Firewall is another reason why players experience this error. Firewalls interfere with connections they think are untrustworthy and this results in connection disruption. To ensure the game bypasses your system’s Firewall and connects to the server appropriately, add the Java files and the game directory to the Firewall’s exclusion list.

Java: For your Java program to work optimally, it has to be updated to its latest version. This is because a version mismatch between your game launcher and Java program can result in conflict between elements of the game. And the implication of this is that your game will not be able to establish a connection with the server.

Incompatible Software: Certain software programs are not compatible with Minecraft. And when they are installed on a computer system, they will inadvertently cause conflicts with the game’s connection to the server.

Any of these can be the reason why your system is not connecting to a Minecraft server. Below is how to go about resolving them and ensure your system can establish a connection.

How Do You Fix The io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException Error?

There are multiple ways by which you can resolve the io.netty.channel.abstractchannel$annotatedconnectexception. Some of these are:

Allow Minecraft through Windows Defender Firewall

We mentioned above that Windows Firewall sometimes inhibits computers’ connection to Minecraft’s server and how this can cause this error. You can remedy this problem by adding exceptions to it – the Firewall. Below is a step-by-step process on how to add Minecraft to your system’s exception list:

1. Proceed to Windows search bar and input “Settings.”
2. Locate and select “Update and Security.”
3. Navigate to “Windows Security” in the left area of the screen; click on “Firewall and Network Protection.”
4. Scroll down to “Allow an App through Firewall.” Click on it.
5. Click on “Change Settings” and select “Yes.”
6. Select the “Allow another App” option.
7. Navigate to the game’s installation directory folder and select the game and the launcher executable.
8. After this, repeat steps (6) & (7) above. Then, navigate to the directory where the Minecraft servers are installed.
9. Open the “Maxwell” folder.
10. Open the “MinecraftServer” folder within Maxwell folder.
11. Enable the two Java executables in the folder as described above.
12. Repeat step (4). However, do not click “Allow another App” after selecting “Change.” Instead, browse through the list of apps and enable every “Java Platform SE Binary” option you find for both “Private” and “Public” networks.
13. Launch Minecraft and connect to the server.

If Minecraft connects successfully, you would have succeeded in getting rid of the problem. If it doesn’t, then that is your cue to try another approach.

Reset Your Router

Resetting your router is another solution to this connection error. It is easy and straightforward. Also, it will take only a few minutes of your time.

When you reset your router, the IP assigned to you by your ISP will change. Unless it is static, that is. To reset your router, all you need to do is power cycle it.

Note that resetting your router is not the same as doing a factory reset. A factory reset is another process entirely. Although it can work in the way we expect resetting your router to, it will wipe your custom settings. And this is why it is not advisable.

To reset your router:

1. Disconnect the router from its power source.
2. Wait for a few minutes.
3. Reconnect it to its power source.
4. Launch Minecraft on your computer; connect it to your game’s server.

Disable Anti-Virus and VPN

Some applications, such as VPN and third-party antivirus, meddle with Internet connections. To find out if that is the case in this instance, you can try to temporarily disable them. However, antivirus programs are more or less impossible to disable and the next best thing is to uninstall them.

Here is how to do that:

1. Proceed to Windows Search Bar and input “Programs.”
2. Click “Enter,” then locate “Uninstall a Program.”
3. Locate your anti-virus, right-click on it and select “Uninstall” in the dialog box that shows up.
4. Follow the instructions you see and then, finally, restart your computer.

VPNs are a different story. If you have one, switch it off before you attempt to establish a connection to your Minecraft server.

By doing the above, you will determine whether your system’s connection problem stems from the VPN and/or antivirus, or something else.

Add the IP Address and Port

If your IP address is not static, then it will change every few days or when you reset your router. However, you can add an IP address and correct port to your Minecraft launcher. Below are steps that will guide you on how to do this:

1. Navigate to the Windows Search Bar and enter “Command Prompt.”
2. Right-click on the resulting icon and click on “Run as Administrator.”
3. Input “ipconfig” in the space provided and write down the “IPv4 Address.”
4. Head to your file directory or simply click Windows key + “E.”
5. Navigate to “Minecraft Servers” folder. Open it and locate “Maxwell.”
6. Open “Maxwell.” Then, navigate to “MinecraftServer.”
7. Open it.
8. Right-click on the “server.properties” text file and select “Open with Notepad.”
9. Locate the “Server Port” entry and note it down. More often than not, this entry has the figures “25565.”
10. Launch Minecraft and proceed to the “Play Multiplayer” option.
11. Click on the server you want to join and select “Edit.”
12. Enter your IPv4 address you wrote down in (3) above.
13. Thereafter, input “:” and enter the port number; that is, the figures you noted in (9) above.
14. Next, click “Done.” Then, click “Refresh” and confirm whether the issue persists or not.

Reinstall Minecraft

Sometimes the io.netty.channel error is caused by damaged or corrupted game files. In these instances, uninstalling and reinstalling the game will resolve the issue.

1. Proceed to your computer’s Control Panel.
2. Locate Uninstall a Program and click on it.
3. Navigate to Minecraft and select “Uninstall a Program.”
4. Once you have expunged its files from your system, download its latest version. However, follow the instructions provided to install it.
5. Connect the game to its server and see if the error is resolved.

The io.netty.channel.abstractchannel$annotatedconnectexception connection failed error is a source of frustration for many Minecraft players. The problem is, you can hardly escape it. And thar is why you should have a guide that will help you escape it. Like this book.