The basic login steps for Minecraft Java Edition
Open the Minecraft Launcher on your computer. You will see a login screen with two fields: one for your username or email, and one for your password. Type your Minecraft username (not your Microsoft account email) into the first field, then enter your password in the second field and click "Log In".
If you created your Minecraft account before Microsoft bought the game in 2014, your username is what you chose when you first signed up — it is the name that appears above your character's head in the game world. This is different from your Microsoft account email address, which is what you use to log into Windows or Outlook.
After you click "Log In", the launcher will verify your credentials with Minecraft's servers. This usually takes a few seconds. Once verified, you will see your profile name appear in the launcher, and you can click "Play" to start the game.
Key Takeaways
- Your Minecraft username is the character name you chose when you created your account, not your Microsoft email address.
- Enter your username and password in the Minecraft Launcher, then click "Log In" to authenticate.
- If you cannot remember your username, you can look it up on the Minecraft website by signing in with your Microsoft account.
- If login fails repeatedly, check that Caps Lock is off and that you are using the correct username, not your email address.
Finding your username if you have forgotten it
Go to minecraft.net and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. Sign in with your Microsoft account (the email address you use for Windows or Outlook). Once you are logged in, click on your profile icon and select "Profile". Your Minecraft username will be displayed on this page under "Username".
Write down your username somewhere you can find it again. The Minecraft Launcher does not show your username on the login screen — it only shows it after you have successfully logged in. Keeping it written down saves time if you need to log in on a different computer or reinstall the launcher.
What to do if your password is not working
First, make sure Caps Lock is off. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are treated as different characters. If Caps Lock is on, every letter you type will be the opposite case from what you intended.
If you are certain your password is correct and login still fails, go to account.microsoft.com and click "Sign In". If you can log into your Microsoft account there, your password is correct and the problem may be temporary server issues — wait a few minutes and try the Minecraft Launcher again. If you cannot log into Microsoft's website either, you will need to reset your password through the "Can't access your account" link on the Microsoft login page.
Minecraft Bedrock Edition login (Windows 10 and 11)
Minecraft Bedrock Edition, which comes with Windows 10 and 11, does not use your Minecraft username to log in. Instead, it uses your Microsoft account email address and password. Open the game, and you will be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account automatically.
If you are already signed into Windows with your Microsoft account, Minecraft Bedrock Edition will often log in automatically without asking you to enter credentials again. If you need to switch accounts, go to Settings within the game and select "Sign Out", then sign back in with a different Microsoft account.
Switching between accounts on the same computer
The Minecraft Launcher allows you to add multiple accounts and switch between them without logging out and back in. Click the down arrow next to your username in the launcher's top right corner. A dropdown menu will show all accounts you have added to the launcher. Click on a different account name to switch to it, then click "Play".
To add a new account, click the down arrow and select "Add Account". You will be taken through the login process for that account. Once added, it will appear in the dropdown menu and you can switch to it anytime without re-entering your password.
Why the launcher asks for your username instead of email
Minecraft usernames and Microsoft accounts are separate systems. Your Minecraft username is the name you chose for your character and your public profile on the Minecraft website. Your Microsoft account is your login for Windows, Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services. The Minecraft Launcher asks for your username because it is checking your character profile, not your Microsoft account directly.
This separation exists because Minecraft accounts predate Microsoft's ownership. When Microsoft acquired Minecraft, they allowed existing players to keep their original usernames and linked them to Microsoft accounts rather than replacing them. New players who create accounts today still get a username, which is generated based on their chosen character name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log in with my email address instead of my username?
No. The Minecraft Launcher requires your Minecraft username, not your Microsoft account email. If you do not know your username, sign into minecraft.net with your Microsoft account to find it. Entering your email address in the launcher will result in a login error.
What if I see an error message saying my username does not exist?
Double-check that you are typing your username correctly — usernames are case-sensitive in the password field but not in the username field itself. If you are still unsure, go to minecraft.net and sign in with your Microsoft account to confirm your username. If you see no username listed on your profile page, your Microsoft account may not be linked to a Minecraft account yet.
Do I need to use the same username on every computer?
Yes. Your Minecraft username is tied to your account, not to any individual computer. You will use the same username and password to log in on a laptop, desktop, or any other device. The launcher will remember your login if you check "Remember this account", but you can always add multiple accounts to the launcher on the same computer.
Is my Minecraft username the same as my character name in the game?
Your Minecraft username is your account name and the name displayed above your character in multiplayer. You cannot change your username after creating your account, though you can change your character's skin. If you want a different name, you would need to create a new Minecraft account with a new username.
What should I do if the launcher keeps logging me out?
Make sure you have checked "Remember this account" when you log in. If you are still being logged out, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Minecraft Launcher — corrupted files can sometimes cause repeated logouts. read the latest version from minecraft.net to may support you have the current version.