How to host a Minecraft server without port forwarding

Why port forwarding fails so often#

To accept players directly, your server must be reachable on a public IP address. That breaks when:

• your provider uses carrier-grade NAT (common on mobile, satellite and some fibre connections), so you have no public IPv4 address of your own;
• you cannot change the router settings (shared flats, dorms, school or work networks);
• you do not want to give your home IP address to everyone who joins.

A tunnel turns this around. Your computer opens an outbound connection to a relay server on the internet. Players connect to the relay's address, and the relay passes their traffic through that connection to your server.

Host from Enzonic Launcher (Java Edition)#

1. Download Enzonic Launcher and open Hosting › Your computer.
2. Choose Create server, pick the server software (for example Paper, Fabric or vanilla) and the Minecraft version.
3. Tick the box to accept the Minecraft EULA. The launcher downloads the server and the right Java version.
4. Press Start. When the server is ready, the Overview tab shows its public address.
5. Copy the address and send it to your friends. They add it under Multiplayer › Add Server like any other server.

Signed in with an Enzonic account, the address is yourname.r.enzonic.dev through Enzonic Relay's free tier, and you can rename it on the Overview tab. Without an account, Enzonic Relay gives the server a temporary address such as brave-otter042.r.enzonic.dev that changes each time you start sharing (one server at a time, up to 10 players); sign in to keep a name.

Already running a server some other way?#

If your server runs outside the launcher (a dedicated machine, a Raspberry Pi, a Bedrock server), install the Enzonic Relay agent next to it instead. It runs as a service on Windows, macOS and Linux and supports Java, Bedrock and other games. Follow Minecraft server without port forwarding on Enzonic Relay.

Tips for a smooth server#

• Keep the computer awake while people play; the server stops when the computer sleeps or shuts down.
• Give the server enough memory on the Performance tab (the launcher shows a recommended value).
• Turn on automatic backups on the Automation tab before you invite people.
• Use a whitelist on the Players tab if the address is shared beyond your friends.
• Keep online mode on so only players with a real Minecraft account can join.

Frequently asked questions#

Is hosting through a tunnel safe?#

Players see the relay's address, not your home IP address, and only the server's port is forwarded through the tunnel. Keep the server updated and use a whitelist for private servers.

Does a tunnel add lag?#

Traffic takes a detour through the relay, so the delay depends on how far you and your players are from it. For players in the same region it is usually small.

Can I do this without installing anything?#

Not for a server on your own computer: something has to run next to the server to keep the tunnel open. If you do not want to keep your PC on, use the free tier of Enzonic Cloud instead.

Does this work for Bedrock?#

The launcher hosts Java Edition servers. For Bedrock, see play Bedrock with friends using Enzonic Relay.