Port forwarding networking
Port forwarding networking
Hey, I recently purchased an Asus RT-AC88U and am trying to set up port forwarding for my kids' Minecraft server. I'm facing some issues and would really appreciate any advice. I've already tried disabling the firewall in both Windows and the router, setting a static IP, turning off UPnP, and adjusting inbound/outbound rules. If anyone knows what I might have missed or what the error is, please let me know. Thanks!
The internal IP remains unchanged; it's likely the server address you're using. Your kids' friends might be attempting to reach it via your public IP. Make sure each Minecraft server has a distinct port assignment—don't reuse ports across machines. Also, note that Minecraft only uses TCP, so forwarding UDP won't work.
Oh, you're wondering if someone figured out how to get in. I've sent over several ports, but it's not working. My kids live with their moms part-time and I'm here part-time too—they can't join either place. They're trying to connect to my public IP address. I checked the ports on a few sites and they all say they're closed. Thanks for being patient!
Your private IP address keeps your device secure, preventing unauthorized access. The visible IP you see is meant for external use only. When launching a Minecraft server, should you be able to connect from another machine on your local network? A successful connection might indicate proper setup. If port scans against your public IP still fail, it could mean your internet service provider is blocking the traffic. Beyond that, verify whether your public address falls within reserved ranges like 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x–172.31.x.x or 192.168.x.x. If so, external access won’t work. Consider removing any additional ranges to maintain clarity.
You're not familiar with network troubleshooting much, and your IP address is 192.168.x.xx. It looks like you're on a local network, which might explain why you can't connect to the server from another device. You mentioned your public IP is 192.168.x.xx—this is likely set by your router or modem. Changing it isn't typically possible through standard settings unless you have administrative access. To resolve this, try checking your router's configuration page for port forwarding rules or contact your network administrator for assistance.
Let me ask you this, is your router connected to a modem, or to a modem/router combo. There is a chance your double NATed if your using ISP supplied equipment. Most ISP's supply a modem/router combo, connecting a router to another router will cause you issues like this. If thats not the case, then your ISP is using carrier grade NAT. One way around it, is see if they will allow you to purchase a public IP address. If not, there is a way to use a VPN but its complicated. Unfortunately we are out of public IPv4 addresses, so what ever the ISP has, is what is has. While some occasionally come out on the market to be purchased, im sure they are snatched up quickly.