Cannot connect to server externally

Good afternoon,

So recently I manage to get a server up and running. It successfully starts, connects, and can be found in the VU client server list. However, I can only connect to it via the VU client on the server box itself. My main system which uses the same router, cannot connect, and I also had friends test to see if they could connect, to which they cannot. Everyone can see the server, but it always fails to connect. All of us that have attempted tried a few other servers to see if we could connect, and most we could, only a couple failed, and we all tried the same servers.

The server is a basic setup right now; ports forwarded, no mods, no startup commands/arguments besides a server name (Pancakes Battle Goose, it’s offline right now, but is available upon request, and/or when I’m working on it) and the maplist seems to work, since it always starts on the first map and game mode on the list. I chose to use the UI instead of going headless, and it gives no errors, update requirements, nor connection issues.

I tried my best to follow the linked wiki guide for the setup, keeping it as “default/standard” as possible right now, just to get it functional, to which, it’s mostly there. I spent some time checking the FAQ/Q&A section, and browsing the forums, but nothing really seemed to offer a possible hint or solution, but I’ve seen a few questions about it.

Just kinda lost as what to do here, and maybe I overlooked or missed something as well.

Thank you for your time,

-Kevonovitch

…might be just stupid enough to work…you tried reserving a slot for yourself in procon?(in lists tab)

do you have the vars,servername in your startup or is it blank?

vars.serverName “balls and weiners”
vars.maxPlayers 50
vars.gameModeCounter 320
admin.password “abc123”
vu.SuppressionMultiplier 0
vars.idleTimeout 0
vars.vehicleSpawnDelay 7
vu.ColorCorrectionEnabled false
vu.SunFlareEnabled false
vu.DesertingAllowed true
this is what the startup folder should look like…excuse my raunchy server name…my bots got silly names too…used to play pokemon…

Good afternoon,

To reply in full;

-Nope, I don’t even have procon. I’ll have to set it up and see if that works. Never touched procon before, so that’ll be interesting for me eh?
-vars.serverName “Pancakes Battle Goose”
-I originally had a few lines in there but I removed all but the server name when the connection issue arose. Besides a name and maybe an admin password, what would actually be mandatory? At the very least for functionality, because it can be connected to, but only from within the same system.

Thank you for your time,

-Kevonovitch

yeah man hit up youtube there are tutorials on setting up procon…its usefull…easy map list and you need it to access the funbots config UI…look it up…lmk if you need any help soldier…try out the discord in the future tho…alot of info and shared ideas…Downloads for BF3

Venice Unleashed Downloads

Signup and Login via the Venice Unleashed website

Server Key Links via the Venice Unleashed website

GitHub for latest fun-bots builds


Download Page for Procon admin client


Supported maps & gamemodes for fun-bots mod

Permission commands for fun-bots

funbots.Permissions username * (the space and asterisk is supposed to be there after)

Server config wiki for Venice Unleashed

should be all you need to start jammin with the bros

Good evening,

Thank you for the reply and the links, but to properly reply;

-I was following the guides on this site for the setup and managed to get to where I currently am relatively easily thanks to them.
-The plan for the server is to get the Fun Bots up and running, however, one problem at a time. No point in adding bots, yet, if nobody can join the server.
-I started working with ProCon, however it seems I’ll need some time, and a few more videos to help with a connection issue I’m having with that (ironic, connection inception).
-I did hop into the discord a few days ago, originally looking for help with an initial setup from SteamCMD for BF3 (to which, I now know, does not work), but I will be poking my head in and seeing if anyone can help with my current issue tomorrow.
-I do appreciate the help, with all topics that you have replied to, and if you want to help further, I’d be willing to take as much as you’re willing to give. Dm, email, discord message, voip and screenshare, ect. Whatever gets the damn server up and running, ya know?

Have a good night,

-Kevonovitch

anytime bud…i got this tab open…if i aint watching youtube ill reply…

Good afternoon/evening,

Just an update:
-Was able to successfully connect to the BF3VU server with ProCon, however, only with an internal IP. Could not connect via external ip.

I’ve been poking at things for a couple hours, and still doing so currently.

Good evening,

So, it turns out, for the 2nd time in 5 years, windows firewall was blocking inbound connections automatically, no asking, no telling, just blocking. Allowed permissions, and it connects just fine now.

This matter can now be considered resolved, and closed.

Thank you for your efforts,

-Kevonovitch Fabroski Primanov

wow windows firewall…i have avg so i would’nt have thought of that…youre all set up bud? lmk if you need any mod help…