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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThere isn’t one Terraria server IP for every player: use localhost on the computer hosting the server, its local IPv4 address for players on the same network, or the host’s external IP for friends connecting over the internet. In Terraria, go to Multiplayer > Join via IP, select a character, then enter the address and port.
Choose the address that matches how you’re connecting
| Where the player is | Address to enter | Port forwarding | What can make it change |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the server computer | localhost or the host computer’s address |
Not normally needed for this local connection | Not stated in the cited setup guide |
| On the same home network | The server computer’s local IPv4 address | Not normally needed for a same-network connection | The router may assign the server computer a different local address |
| Connecting from elsewhere over the internet | The host’s external, public-facing IP address | Normally required on the router; the server’s port must also be allowed through applicable firewall rules | The external IP can change |
These instructions concern the dedicated-server connection described in the Terraria server guide and the official Terraria Wiki setup guide. Menu labels and IP-joining behavior may differ by platform or edition, so check the instructions for the version you play.
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Join from the computer running the server
If Terraria and the dedicated server are running on the same computer, enter localhost as the address. The host computer’s own address is another option described by the setup guide.
Find the local IPv4 address for a LAN player
For someone using the same Wi-Fi or wired home network, give them the local IPv4 address of the computer running the server—not the external IP shown by the router.
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- On the Windows computer running the server, open Command Prompt.
- Run
ipconfig. - Find the network adapter in use and read its IPv4 Address.
- Give that address to the other player. Local addresses often begin with
192.168.,172.16through172.31, or10., as described in the setup guide.
Windows is the method documented in that guide; the exact steps for finding an address differ on other operating systems. A router can assign a new local IPv4 address later, so a connection that worked before may need the updated address.
Give internet friends the external IP and open the server port
A friend connecting from outside the host’s home network needs the router’s external, public-facing IP address. A private local IPv4 address such as 192.168.x.x is for devices on the local network and generally will not work for that remote player.
The Terraria server guide lists TCP port 7777 as the default. The host can configure a different port, so confirm the server’s actual setting and tell players which port to enter. For internet access, forward that port through the router to the computer running the server, and check that the computer’s firewall permits the server connection. See the server guide for the port information.
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Using a Dynamic DNS name
The setup guide describes Dynamic DNS as an option when the external IP may change. If you use a domain name, tell friends to type that name directly when joining. The guide says Terraria’s saved-IP list stores the IP address rather than the domain name, so an old saved entry may be stale or may not preserve the name you intended.
Enter the address in Terraria
- Open Multiplayer.
- Choose Join via IP.
- Select the character you want to use.
- Enter the correct address for your connection—
localhost, the server’s local IPv4, or its external IP or Dynamic DNS name. - Enter the server port. Use
7777if the host is using the default; otherwise use the port the host configured.
If the connection does not work
- Check that the server is running. A correct address cannot connect to a server that is offline.
- Recheck which address you used. The host uses
localhost; a LAN player uses the server’s local IPv4; an internet player uses the external IP or the host’s domain name. - Confirm the port. The default is TCP
7777, but the host may have changed it. - For an internet connection, check port forwarding and firewall access. Forward the configured server port on the router to the server computer and make sure the firewall allows the server.
- Refresh an address that used to work. The router may have assigned the server computer a new local IPv4 address, or the external IP may have changed.
- Type a Dynamic DNS domain directly. Don’t rely on a saved-IP entry if it points to an old address.
If router port forwarding is unavailable, the server guide mentions VPN services as an alternative. Every player would need the relevant software, so this is an optional setup choice rather than a requirement for Terraria.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Host & Play or a dedicated server?
The address instructions above are for joining a server. Terraria also offers Host & Play: according to the multiplayer guide, that locally hosted world closes when its host leaves. A dedicated server can run separately from a particular player’s session, which is useful when the world needs to remain available independently of someone playing.
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