Connectivity Problem with Project Zomboid - Project Zomboid Server ports are listening but cannot connect

Technical Support
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1

System Information

Field Value
Operating System Windows - Windows 11 Pro on x86_64
Product AMP ‘Proteus’ v2.8.0.4 (Mainline)
Virtualization None
Application Project Zomboid
Module GenericModule
Running in Container No
Current State Ready

Problem Description

Issue

I’m struggling to figure out why I cannot connect a PC to my Project Zomboid server. I must be missing some connectivity step or firewall issue. Game server is running on Windows 11 Pro so I also checked Windows Firewall and I see some rules it automatically generated. There are four rules that show ports TCP 6, UDP 16263, UDP 16264, and TCP 17017. I thought the ports should be 16261 and 16262, can anyone comment?

Reproduction Steps

  • Checked AMP instance that ports are green and listening
  • Confirmed that server has started in console and steam is enabled
  • Used cmd ping command on gaming PC to confirm local server IP connection
  • Router software ports forwarded UDP 16261 and 16262 to game server
2

I had that problem too, for me it was port forwarding. “Fixed” it with tailscale.

3

Do you know at what level of your network was it a port forwarding issue? i.e. at your router or your game server?

4

My network provider doesn’t allow port forwarding; it uses a CGNAT (Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation) to share an IP address with multiple customers. I could pay more for a private IPv4 address, but it’s costly.

You can check if you are behind a CGNAT by running ipconfig on the cmd and taking a note of your IPv4 address, then, serch whatismyip.com and see if it’s the same; if not, you are behind a CGNAT.