Minecraft port: 25565, 19132 and how to open ports

Your friends can't join your server? Most of the time, it's a closed port. Here is how to open it, step by step.

Which ports to open?

Minecraft Java: port 25565 over TCP (the server-port value in server.properties).
Minecraft Bedrock: port 19132 over UDP.
Geyser (Bedrock players on a Java server): port 19132 UDP in addition to the Java port.
NuVotifier (vote rewards): port 8192 TCP, see setting up NuVotifier.

With a Minecraft host

Nothing to do for the main port: it is already open. For an extra port (Geyser, Votifier), add an “allocation” or “port” in the host's panel, then enter it in the plugin's configuration.

On your home router

Find the local IP address of the PC running the server: on Windows, type ipconfig in a terminal and note the “IPv4 Address” (for example 192.168.1.20). Make it fixed (static DHCP lease) so it doesn't change.
Open your router's admin page (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for “Port forwarding”, “NAT” or “Virtual server”.
Create a rule: external and internal port 25565, TCP protocol (or 19132 UDP for Bedrock), to the PC's local IP.
Give your friends your public IP (search “what is my IP”), not the local IP.

Note: with some fiber or mobile plans, the IPv4 address is shared between several customers (CGNAT) and port forwarding doesn't work. Ask your provider for a dedicated IPv4 address.

In the Windows firewall

Windows may block Java. In “Windows Defender Firewall” → “Advanced settings” → “Inbound rules”, create a rule for port 25565 (TCP), or allow java.exe when Windows asks on first launch.

Check that it works

From another network (your phone's mobile data, for example), try to join the server with the public IP.
Listed on CraftRank? Your page's connection test (My servers → Connection test) tells you whether the server answers from the Internet.

Hosting at home: good to know

Opening a port exposes your personal IP address. For a public server, a host with DDoS protection is safer: see choosing a host. Once your server is reachable, list it for free to find your first players.

FAQ

Which port does Minecraft use?

Minecraft Java Edition uses port 25565 (TCP) by default. Minecraft Bedrock Edition uses port 19132 (UDP). A server can pick another port: it is then written after the address, for example play.myserver.com:25570.

Do I need to open a port to play on a server?

No: opening a port is only needed to host a server at home. To join an existing server, you just need its address (IP) and, on Bedrock, its port.

How do I know if my Minecraft port is open?

Start your server, then test your public IP and port with an online port checker, or ask a friend to connect from another network. If it fails, check the port forwarding on your router and the firewall.

Which port does NuVotifier use?

NuVotifier uses port 8192 by default (configurable in plugins/Votifier/config.yml). It must be open in TCP to receive votes from ranking sites.

Opening the ports of a Minecraft server (router, firewall, host)