Help

IRC is a way to chat in real time. You connect an IRC client to a network, choose a nickname, then talk in shared channels or private messages. A channel name starts with #.

Use irc.pureirc.org, port 6697, with TLS enabled. The connection guide has commands for mIRC, WeeChat and irssi, plus browser access.

No. You can connect and use ordinary public channels without an X account. An account reserves your matching nickname and lets you manage registered channels. Individual channels may restrict entry.

Enter /list in your client to see public channels, then /join #channel with the name you want. Private channels may not be listed. Read the channel topic for local rules.

Use 6697 with TLS (sometimes called SSL). Port 6667 accepts standard, unencrypted IRC. The port and encryption setting must match.

Check the hostname, port and TLS setting. Use a current client, check your system clock, and leave certificate verification enabled. A certificate error should be investigated rather than ignored. If it continues, send us the exact error.

Confirm that your network permits outbound IRC connections. Check the hostname and port, then try a direct server from the server directory. If you have just retried repeatedly, wait before trying again.

Yes. Both public servers support IPv6 and IPv4. IPv6 also needs to work on your own connection. If your IPv6 route is broken, try your client’s IPv4 setting; the hostname stays the same.

Use /msg X HELP for the command list or /msg X HELP AUTH for a specific command. X shows commands available to your account and connection. The X services guide covers the usual tasks.

The nickname may belong to an X account. If it is yours, authenticate to that account; using the name alone does not sign you in. You have 30 seconds to authenticate when connecting without SASL. Nickname protection and recovery explains the details.

Sign in to the matching X account and use /msg X RECLAIM. If your other signed-in connection holds the name, follow X’s confirmation instructions. You can only reclaim your own account’s nickname.

Email contact@pureirc.org with your account name and a description of the problem. Never include your old or new password. NEWPASS requires your current password; it is not a forgotten-password reset.

Read the error from your client. The channel may be invite-only, full, keyed, or have a ban or registered-access restriction. Ask a channel operator about its entry rules. Network staff cannot explain a channel’s intent from the error alone.

Authenticate to the X account that has access, then use /msg X WHOAMI #channel with the channel name. X access belongs to the account, not your nickname. The channel owner or a master can review the access settings.

Authenticate to X and make sure you are an operator in the channel, then use /msg X REGISTER #channel. If it is already registered, contact its owner. See channel registration and access.