Easy Port Forwarding for Minecraft Server

15 MIN READ | Last updated: Jun 08, 2023 | By Hamdan Ahmad

Minecraft allows you to create your own personalized servers. But what's the point if you can't share your incredible creations with friends and family? No one wants to mine, craft, and explore solo! And that's where port forwarding comes in to save the day.

By following a handful of simple and straightforward steps, you can set up port forwarding for your Minecraft server right from your router's settings. In this guide, I’ll dig into the ins and outs of port forwarding for your Minecraft server and discuss everything you need to know.

Do you have a local Minecraft server? That's well and good, but how are you going to share it with your friends? Port forwarding can help you here. By default, routers don't allow external traffic to connect to your server.

By forwarding the necessary ports, you can enable your router to direct incoming traffic to your Minecraft server. If done correctly, forwarding your ports can enable your friends to join your Minecraft server and enjoy your world alongside you.

If you haven't already got the Minecraft app, you can get it at minecraft.net. Go to Get Minecraft > Computer. Here, sign in and choose your plan. Once that's done, you can download the Minecraft Installer and run it. That's it! You’ve installed the Minecraft App.

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Before forwarding the ports for your Minecraft server, you’ve to set up the server itself. If you already have one, you can jump right to the port forwarding part. But if you haven't, here, I’ll detail how you can set up your very own Minecraft server. Let's cut to the chase.

First off, you need to install Java on your computer and link the .jar files with it. Here's how:

A .exe file will begin downloading.

And that's it! Once you’re finished installing Java, you can finally download the Minecraft server. Here's how:

If nothing happened when you clicked the server.jar file, probably the .jar file extension and Java app aren't linked on your computer. To solve this issue, you can download and install Jarfix.exe.

That's it! The server should start now.

First off, you need to install Java on your system. Here's how:

If unsure, navigate to Apple Icon > About this PC. Here, you can find whether your chip is M1 or Intel.

Once you’re finished installing Java, you can move on to download the Minecraft server. Here's how:

Doing so selects the Desktop directory,

This selects Desktop > server directory.

And that's it! By now, your server should be up and running.

At this point, your friends just can't join the server. For that, you have got to forward a port for your server. Let's jump into that.

Ready to level up your Minecraft server game? Port forwarding is key to playing with your buddies. Let's get your server up and running with these easy steps.

Firstly, you’ve got to choose a number for your Minecraft server. Here's how:

I’d recommend you stick with the default port numbers which are:

Now we have to grant access to our Minecraft port through the operating system's firewall, allowing players to join your server without any issues.

Windows 10 & 11

macOS

If the options are grayed out, click the lock icon at the bottom-left corner of the tab. Enter your account password to unlock it.

That's it for allowing Minecraft through your system's firewall!

Before you go on, let's find out your default gateway, IPv4 address, and subnet mask. We’ll need them in the coming steps.

Windows 10 & 11

macOS

A static IP address is crucial for sharing your Minecraft server as it provides a consistent connection point for players.

Note, this setup isn't compatible with certain kinds of PPoE connections where the ISP assigns you the address automatically. If that's your case, consider using a VPS service to set up a Minecraft server that's online 24/7. We discuss this alternative later in the Minecraft Hosting Services head.

Here's how to create a static IP address:

Windows 10 & 11

macOS

The procedure for forwarding a port is slightly different for every router. But they do have a lot in common. If you know the procedure for forwarding a port on a few routers, you can forward a port for a new router.I’ll showcase the port forwarding process for two different routers:

If you don't remember your router's username and password, try the following:

A list of the connected devices will appear.

;Now, if you don't know what your device name is, here's what you need to do.

For Windows, 10 & 11, go to Settings > System > About. Your device's name is the one next to the Device name head:

For macOS, click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select the Sharing option

Here, your computer name would appear in the top bar:

And you’re done!

A login page like the following will load:

If you don't remember your router's username and password, try the following:

And that's that!

After you’re done port forwarding, here's how you or a friend can connect to the server:

This should land you in your Minecraft world!

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Yes, you can set up a Minecraft server without port forwarding. In this regard, you’ve two options:

These services allow you to rent a server that handles the technical aspects, such as port forwarding and server maintenance. Some popular Minecraft hosting service providers are:

Arguably, using a hosting service is more advantageous than hosting your own server. That's because it reduces the load from your computer giving better performance compared to a local server. Also, Minecraft hosting services offer protection against DDoS attacks.

Another option is to use tunneling tools, like ngrok, which create a secure tunnel between your local Minecraft server and the internet.

Although tunneling provides a way of bypassing port forwarding for setting up a Minecraft server, it isn't more efficient or easy-to-set-up compared to port forwarding.

As someone new to this, you can easily set up port forwarding for your Minecraft server by following a few simple steps.

First, create a Minecraft server on your Windows or macOS computer. Then, configure the port and make sure it's allowed through your firewall. After that, forward the port on your router according to its specific guidelines.

Once everything is done, your friends can join your server using your IP address and explore your virtual creations together.

Don't want to go through the tedious procedure? You can get Minecraft server hosting services.

Lastly, to ensure a secure and stable connection while gaming, consider using CyberGhost VPN, which provides an added layer of protection for your online activities. Although CyberGhost doesn't support port forwarding, it can still enhance your overall online security.

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To set up your Minecraft server correctly, you need to forward certain ports. If you’re running a server for Minecraft: Java Edition, you need to forward both TCP and UDP ports 25565. However, if you’re hosting a Minecraft: Bedrock Edition server, the requirements differ. In this case, you should forward both UDP and TCP ports 19132 and 19133.

Minecraft uses port 25565 for both UDP and TCP protocols. For setting up a Minecraft server, you should forward port 25565 under UDP and TCP protocols. Note, this is only true for Minecraft: Java Edition. For Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, you need to forward UDP and TCP ports 19132 and 19133

No, 25565 is the default port for Minecraft, but it's not required for port forwarding when setting up Minecraft servers. You can use another port, just make sure to specify it when connecting to the server in the Minecraft app via Multiplayer > Direct Connection.When using the default 25565 port, simply entering the server IP address allows you to connect. However, if you choose a different port, add a colon followed by the port number after the IP address. For example, "111.68.67.103:34244".

To open port 25565, first log in to your router's login page using your IP address. Find the port forwarding settings and create a new rule. Set the protocol to both TCP and UDP, specify the external and internal ports as 25565, and enter the local IP address of the device hosting the Minecraft server. Save the changes and restart your router if necessary. Additionally, make sure to configure your firewall to allow incoming connections on port 25565. Keep in mind that the specific steps may vary depending on your router's brand and model.

Yes, CyberGhost VPN allows you to play Minecraft. By using CyberGhost, you can bypass network limitations, enjoy reduced latency, and protect your account from cybercriminals. Also, CyberGhost offers gaming-optimized servers, high speeds, and unlimited bandwidth for a smooth experience. Moreover, it prevents bandwidth throttling, works around IP bans, and protects against DDoS attacks, making it an ideal solution for Minecraft players seeking both performance and security.

Hamdan is a curious explorer with a fascination for artificial intelligence and its social and ethical ramifications. He's a staunch advocate of individual privacy, and believes we should take a firm stand against unwanted data collection. When not pondering the philosophical implications of modern tech, he's often tackling tricky integrals or listening to Urdu ghazals.

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