How To Port Forward a Minecraft Server | Step by Step Guide

Port forwarding is what allows friends outside your local WiFi network to connect to your Minecraft server. It effectively tells your router: “Any traffic coming from the internet looking for Minecraft should go specifically to this computer.”

Here is the step-by-step guide to port forwarding a Minecraft server.

Step 1: Get Your Connection Details

You need two specific numbers from your computer to give to the router.

For Windows:

1. Press the Windows Key, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. In the black window, type ipconfig and press Enter.

3. Write down two numbers:

   • IPv4 Address (e.g., 192.168.1.15 – this is your computer’s “internal ID”).

   • Default Gateway (e.g., 192.168.1.1 – this is your router’s address).

For Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Network.

2. Click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) > Details.

3. Click TCP/IP on the left.

4. Write down the IP Address and Router address.

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Step 2: Log into Your Router

1. Open a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari).

2. In the address bar (where you type google.com), type the Default Gateway (Router) number you wrote down in Step 1 (e.g., 192.168.1.1).

3. Press Enter. You should see a login page.

4. Log in.

   • Note: If you don’t know the username/password, check the sticker on the back/bottom of your physical router. Common defaults are admin/password or admin/admin.

Step 3: Create the Port Forwarding Rule

Every router looks different, so you may need to hunt for the right menu. Look for a tab labeled “Port Forwarding,” “Virtual Server,” “NAT/QoS,” or “Advanced.”

Once you find it, click “Add New” or “Create Rule” and fill in the following:

• Service Name / Rule Name: (This is just a label for you). Minecraft

• Protocol: TCP (Minecraft Java Edition uses TCP. If you play Bedrock, select TCP/UDP or just UDP).

• External Port (Start/End): 25565

• Internal Port (Start/End): 25565

  • Note: If it asks for a range, just type 25565 in both boxes.

• Internal IP Address: Type the IPv4 Address of your computer that you wrote down in Step 1 (e.g., 192.168.1.15).

• Status: Enable / On.

Save or Apply the settings.

Step 4: The Final Test

1. Start your Minecraft Server. It must be running for the test to work.

2. Go to a website like canyouseeme.org.

3. The site will automatically detect your “Public IP” (this is the address you give to your friends).

4. In the “Port to Check” box, type 25565.

5. Click Check Port.

   • Success: If it says “Success,” your friends can now join using your Public IP.

   • Error: If it fails, check your computer’s Firewall (Windows Defender) and ensure “Java(TM) Platform SE binary” is allowed through Public networks.

Important Note for Friends

Your friends will join using your Public IP Address (what you see on Google if you search “what is my IP”). You (the host) will join using localhost or 0.