Terraria Can't Connect to Server? Fixes for Lost Connection

When Terraria can't connect to a server, it is almost always one of four things: the IP or port is typed wrong, the server is offline, a firewall or router is blocking port 7777, or your version does not match the server. The symptom is usually being stuck on "Connecting to..." or getting "Lost connection" a few seconds after "Found server". This guide goes through the fixes in the order that solves them fastest, for both hosted and home servers.

What it looks like

After Join via IP, one of these happens:

Stuck on Connecting to 123.45.67.89 forever.
Found server appears, then Lost connection.
Kicked with You are not using the same version as this server.
Stuck on Receiving tile data or Requesting world information.
Asked for a password again and again.

Symptom	Most likely cause
Stuck on Connecting	Wrong IP or port, server offline, blocked port
Found server, then Lost connection	Version mismatch, firewall, unstable connection
Not the same version	Game and server on different versions
Stuck on Receiving tile data	Big world or heavy mods on a slow connection, or a mod mismatch
Password loop	Wrong password, or a space typed at the end

Quick fix

Make sure the server is running.
Enter only the IP on the first screen and only the port on the second. No colon.
Use the server's real port, which is not always 7777.
Check your Terraria version matches the server.
Allow Terraria through the Windows firewall.
Self hosting: forward TCP 7777 and give friends your public IP.

Fix 1: Enter the IP and port correctly

This is the most common mistake. Terraria asks for the address in two steps:

On the IP screen, type only the part before the colon, for example 123.45.67.89.
On the port screen, type only the number after the colon, for example 7801.

Hosted servers often use a port other than 7777, so do not leave the default in place. On GamezServers the full address is at the top of your control panel, IP first and port after the colon. Watch for a space at the end if you copy and paste.

Fix 2: Check the server is online

Hosted server: check the dashboard shows Online. GamezServers servers with Sleep when empty turned on stop after 90 minutes with nobody playing. Anyone with access can start it again with one click and join a few seconds later.
Home server: look at the server window. It should say it is listening on the port. If it closed, it may have crashed or you started it without a world. Type exit to stop it properly, never just close the window.

Fix 3: Match the version

If you see "You are not using the same version as this server", or "Lost connection" right after "Found server", compare versions. Your game shows its version in the bottom left of the main menu, and the owner can type version in the server console. Whoever is behind updates.

Also check you launched the right game: tModLoader servers need tModLoader, and vanilla servers need regular Terraria. Full details, including the 1.4.5 and tModLoader split, are in how to fix Terraria version mismatch.

Fix 4: Allow Terraria through your firewall

Windows Defender Firewall or antivirus can block the game.

Open Windows Security, then Firewall and network protection, then Allow an app through firewall.
Click Change settings and find Terraria (and tModLoader if you use it).
Tick Private and Public, then click OK.

If you host at home, do the same for TerrariaServer.exe on the server PC. Also try another network, such as a phone hotspot. If that works, your home, school or work network is blocking the connection.

Fix 5: Self hosting? Forward port 7777

If you can join your own server but friends get stuck on "Connecting", your router is not letting them in.

Find your server PC's local IP with ipconfig, for example 192.168.1.20.
Forward TCP 7777 (or your port= from serverconfig.txt) to that IP on your router.
Give friends your public IP, from searching "what is my IP". Your 192.168.x.x address only works at home.
Test from outside your network, such as a phone on mobile data.

The upnp=1 setting can open the port automatically on some routers, but check it worked. If forwarding looks right and still fails, your internet provider may use CGNAT, which blocks incoming connections entirely. Our port forwarding guide covers routers and CGNAT. A hosted server skips this whole step, since it has its own public address and nothing to forward.

Fix 6: Joining on the same Wi-Fi

If you and the server are on the same network, use the server PC's local IP (192.168.x.x), not the public one. Many routers cannot connect to their own public address. If even the local IP fails, check your router for AP isolation or client isolation, which stops devices on the same Wi-Fi talking to each other, and turn it off.

Fix 7: Stuck on Receiving tile data

The world is sent to you when you join. On large worlds or modded servers this can take a while on slow connections, so wait a minute first. If it never finishes:

tModLoader: your mods probably differ from the server's. Let tModLoader sync the server's mods, or disable your mods and rejoin.
Bad connection: switch from Wi-Fi to a cable and close downloads.
Corrupt world on the server: the owner can restore a backup. Terraria also keeps a .bak copy next to each world file.

Fix 8: Password and character problems

Password loop: passwords are case sensitive. Retype it by hand instead of pasting.
Journey characters: a Journey mode character can only join a Journey world, and a Classic, Expert or Master character cannot join one. Make a character of the matching type.

The easy way

Most Terraria connection problems on home servers come from port forwarding, firewalls and a PC that went to sleep. A hosted server takes those off the table: it runs in a data center with its own IP and port, stays online when you log off, and you manage it from a browser. See Terraria server hosting or the quick start guide.

FAQ

Why does Terraria say Lost connection?

Usually a version mismatch, a firewall cutting the connection, or the server crashing or restarting. Check versions first, then firewalls.

What port does a Terraria server use?

TCP 7777 by default. Hosted servers often use a different port, which is the number after the colon in your server address.

Can I join through Steam instead of IP?

Join via Steam works for games hosted through Steam. For a dedicated server, Join via IP is the reliable way.

Why can I join but my friends cannot?

You are on the same network as the server. Your friends come in over the internet and need port 7777 forwarded and your public IP. On a hosted server, everyone uses the same address.