You cannot connect

Work down this list in order. Each step rules something out, and skipping to
the interesting one at the bottom is how people spend an hour on a problem that
step two solves.

1. Read the actual message#

Minecraft's error messages are unhelpful-looking but they do distinguish
cases:

2. Version#

The network runs on 1.21+, with 1.7.2 – 1.21.x supported through
ViaVersion. If you are on a snapshot, that is your answer — snapshots are not
supported.

Try a current release before anything else. It is one minute and it is the
single most common fix. Versions and clients
explains what ViaVersion does and does not carry.

3. The address#

play.ggnetwork.rip

Retype it rather than editing the existing entry. No port, no http://, no
trailing space. A trailing space is invisible and breaks it completely.

If it still says the host is unknown, your network's DNS is the suspect: try a
phone hotspot for one attempt. If it works there, the problem is your network,
not the server.

4. Is the server actually up?#

The status pill in the header of this site says so, and it does not guess — it
asks. If it says the server is offline, you have your answer, and
the announcements will usually say why.

If it says it could not check, that is different from offline: the check
failed, the server may be fine.

5. It connects, then drops#

• A slow or unstable connection. Wifi through a wall does this.
• A mod misbehaving. Start the game with no mods once. If the drop stops,

add them back a few at a time.

• The server restarting. Restarts are announced.

6. It says you are banned#

Then you are, and the reason is on the ban page rather
than being a mystery. If you think it is wrong,
appeal. Do not make another account — that turns
a temporary ban into a permanent one.

Still stuck#

Post in the help category with:

• the exact message, as text rather than a screenshot,
• your Minecraft version,
• whether you use mods, and which,
• what you already tried from this list.

That last line is what turns a thread into an answer instead of four people
suggesting step two.