Port 25565 (Minecraft)
Port 25565 is the default port of a Minecraft: Java Edition server (server-port in server.properties). Players connect to your-address:25565, or just your address when the default is used. The number is not registered with IANA.
- Service
- Minecraft
- Protocol
- TCPTCP. Bedrock Edition is different: it uses UDP 19132.
- IANA registry
- Not assigned. The use described here is unofficial.
- Commonly used by
Check if a port is open on your IP
We only check the address you are visiting from, one TCP port at a time. You cannot enter someone else’s address: this is not a port scanner.
Is it safe to open port 25565?
Opening 25565 is normal for a public server. Keep online-mode=true so players are verified, use a whitelist for private servers, and keep the server software updated.
“Port 25565 is already in use”: how to fix it
The error means another program is already listening on port 25565. Find its process ID (PID), then stop that program or start yours on a different port.
Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell as administrator)
netstat -ano | findstr :25565taskkill /PID <PID> /FmacOS
lsof -nP -iTCP:25565 -sTCP:LISTENkill <PID>Linux
sudo ss -ltnp | grep :25565sudo lsof -i :25565sudo kill <PID>Replace <PID> with the number from the last column (Windows) or the PID column (macOS, Linux).
How to open port 25565
Router: in the router’s admin page find Port Forwarding (sometimes Virtual Server or NAT), forward TCP port 25565 to the local IP of the computer running the service, and save.
Windows Defender Firewall (PowerShell as administrator)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Port 25565 TCP" -Direction Inbound -Action Allow -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 25565Linux with ufw
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcpLinux with firewalld
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=25565/tcpsudo firewall-cmd --reloadThen run the check above. If the port is still closed, see why a port can look closed below.
Why a port can look closed when your server is running
Most home networks sit behind a router doing NAT: the router owns the public address, and your computer has a private one such as 192.168.1.10. A connection from the internet reaches the router and stops there unless you add a port forwarding rule to your computer.
Many mobile and some home providers go further and use carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT): several customers share one public address, and your router itself gets an address from 100.64.0.0/10. Then no rule on your side can open a port; ask the provider for a public IP or use a tunnel or VPN service.
Even with forwarding in place, the firewall on the computer (Windows Defender Firewall, ufw, firewalld) must allow the port, and the program must listen on all interfaces (0.0.0.0), not only on 127.0.0.1.
UDP cannot be checked this way: a UDP service usually stays silent to packets it does not understand, so “no answer” means nothing. This check uses TCP only.
Frequently asked questions
What is port 25565 used for?
Port 25565 is the default port of a Minecraft: Java Edition server (server-port in server.properties). Players connect to your-address:25565, or just your address when the default is used. The number is not registered with IANA.
Is port 25565 TCP or UDP?
TCP. Bedrock Edition is different: it uses UDP 19132.
Is it safe to open port 25565?
Opening 25565 is normal for a public server. Keep online-mode=true so players are verified, use a whitelist for private servers, and keep the server software updated.
How do I free port 25565 if it is already in use?
Find the process: on Windows run netstat -ano | findstr :25565 and stop it with taskkill /PID <pid> /F; on macOS or Linux run lsof -i :25565 and stop it with kill <pid>.