Port Forwarding

Port forwarding allows players to connect directly to your server through your home network instead of using the playit.gg tunnel. This can improve performance and reduce latency.

Note

Port forwarding exposes your home IP address. Only port forward if you understand the security implications and are comfortable managing your own firewall settings.

When to use port forwarding

• You have a stable internet connection with good upload speed.
• You are comfortable configuring your router and firewall.
• You want lower latency for players close to your network.
• You have a dedicated IP from your ISP (not CGNAT).

When to stick with playit.gg

• You are behind CGNAT and cannot get a public IP.
• You want the convenience of automatic tunneling.
• You want hostname verification and basic DDoS protection.

How to set up port forwarding

1. Open your router’s admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Find the Port Forwarding or NAT section.
3. Create a new rule forwarding port 25565 (TCP) to your computer’s local IP address.
4. Save and apply the changes.
5. Ensure Windows Firewall allows inbound connections on port 25565.
6. Share your public IP with players. They can find it at whatismyipaddress.com.

Note

Players connecting via port forwarding will see your home IP address in server lists. If you prefer not to share your IP, continue using the playit.gg tunnel.

See Server Not Reachable if you are having trouble getting connections to work after port forwarding.