Question:

How to troubleshoot Ngrok connection issues for Minecraft server on Mac?

I have set up a Minecraft server on my Windows PC and I want to allow my friends to join it without port forwarding. I have tried using Tailscale, but it did not work on my friend’s iMac. Then I switched to Ngrok, which does not require any client-side installation. However, my friend still could not connect to my server using the Ngrok address, even when he used his phone’s hotspot. The Ngrok address works fine on my PC. What could be the cause of this problem and how can I fix it? Thank you for your help.

Answer:

Ngrok is a popular tool that allows you to expose your local server to the internet without port forwarding. It can be useful for hosting a Minecraft server and inviting your friends to join it. However, sometimes you may encounter connection issues when using Ngrok, especially if your friends are using a Mac. In this article, we will explain some of the possible causes and solutions for this problem.

Cause 1: Ngrok address changes every time you restart it

One of the limitations of the free version of Ngrok is that it does not allow you to get a permanent TCP address, which means every time you restart the Ngrok agent, you will get a new address. This can be inconvenient if you want to keep your server online for a long time, or if you want to share the address with your friends. If your friend tries to connect to your old Ngrok address, they will get a connection error.

Solution 1: Upgrade to a paid Ngrok account or use a different service

The simplest solution for this cause is to upgrade to a paid Ngrok account, which allows you to reserve a TCP address for reuse. In this case, you can start the TCP tunnel using `ngrok tcp –remote-addr TCP_ADDRESS 25565`, where `TCP_ADDRESS` is the address you reserved. This way, you can keep the same address for your server and share it with your friends. Alternatively, you can use a different service that provides a static address for your server, such as [Hamachi] or [ZeroTier].

Cause 2: Firewall settings block Ngrok connection

Another possible cause of Ngrok connection issues is that your firewall settings may prevent you or your friends from connecting to the Ngrok address. This can happen if your firewall blocks the TCP port 25565, which is the default port for Minecraft servers, or if it blocks the Ngrok domain or IP address. If this is the case, you may see a timeout or a refused connection error when trying to join the server.

Solution 2: Adjust your firewall settings or disable it temporarily

To fix this cause, you need to adjust your firewall settings to allow Ngrok and Minecraft to communicate through the TCP port 25565. You can do this by adding an exception or a rule for Ngrok and Minecraft in your firewall settings. Alternatively, you can disable your firewall temporarily while playing Minecraft, but make sure to enable it again afterwards. If you are using a third-party firewall application, you need to check the settings on that application as well. You can find more information on how to configure your firewall settings for Minecraft [here].

Cause 3: Ngrok region does not match your server location

A less common but possible cause of Ngrok connection issues is that the Ngrok region you are using does not match the location of your server. Ngrok has several regions, such as US, EU, AU, AP, etc., and each region has a different hostname, such as `x.tcp.us.ngrok.io` or `x.tcp.eu.ngrok.io`. If you are using a different region than your server location, you may experience latency or connection errors when trying to join the server.

Solution 3: Specify the Ngrok region that matches your server location

To solve this cause, you need to specify the Ngrok region that matches your server location when starting the Ngrok agent. You can do this by adding the `-region` flag to the Ngrok command, such as `ngrok tcp -region us 25565` or `ngrok tcp -region eu 25565`. This way, you can ensure that your Ngrok address is in the same region as your server and reduce the chances of connection issues. You can find more information on how to specify the Ngrok region [here].

We hope this article helped you troubleshoot the Ngrok connection issues for your Minecraft server on Mac. If you have any other questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy gaming! 🎮