Any way to run a dedicated server without port forwarding?

Hi so I wanted to set up a dedicated server without port forwarding as the title says. As far as I understand, terraria uses steam datagram relay (for example when you join via steam).

Now if I have a dedicated server, people can join with IP, which would require port forwarding.

Otherwise, I did see an automated message which recommended to join the dedicated server on your own computer (local) and then invite friends to it. However, this is useless for me, because the point is to run a server and my friends can join whenever they want, even if I'm not on.

So is there any way for friends to connect to the server without me being in the server and without port forwarding?

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:33 PM

If you run the server.bat file, it'll start up the server and run without you needing to be on it. You'd have to keep the server running on your PC though

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:36 PM

how would they join the server?

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:36 PM

i have it as a docker container on a nas so no probelm running it

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:36 PM

but how would they connect to it without port forwarding and without me inviting them on steam

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:37 PM

They'd join by IP, you have to provide yours

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:37 PM

isnt' joining by ip port forwarding?

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:38 PM

No?

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:38 PM

They are connecting to you via IP instead of steam invite

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:38 PM

i mean

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:38 PM

port forwarding is opening ports on your router to allow certain connections

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:39 PM

I will try it when my friend is on, but tbh i thought that joining by ip requires port forwarding?

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:40 PM

That depends on your router, some do, some don't

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:42 PM

wdym, like how could you join the server if i didn't port forward?

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:42 PM

they have an ip and a port of my router

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:43 PM

but if the server is not forwarded to the port

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:43 PM

how can they access my server?

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:45 PM

they will try to connect and see there is no service there or like the port is closed

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:47 PM

So do you have port 7777 forwarded?

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:48 PM

no, the point is i dont want to do port forwarding

Michaelsoftman•12/21/25, 4:50 PM

Then you need some kind of tunneling or proxy service instead

WatermeloansOP•12/21/25, 4:54 PM

gotcha ok rip

Any way to run a dedicated server without port forwarding?

Similar Threads

Similar Threads

Similar Threads