io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException: Connection refused

The io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException: Connection refused error indicates that your client is unable to establish a network connection to the server. This typically means the server is offline, the port is incorrect, or a firewall is blocking the connection.

Common Causes

• Server is Offline: The server process has crashed or is currently restarting.
• Incorrect Port: The client is attempting to connect to a port that is not open or is not assigned to your server.
• Firewall/Network Issues: Local security software or network restrictions are preventing the connection.
• IP Mismatch: The IP address being used is incorrect or has changed.

How to fix it

1. Check Server Status

Ensure your server is actually running. If the console shows the server is offline, start it via the panel.

• On AwakeNode: Navigate to your server in the panel and check the status indicator. If it is stopped, click 'Start'. If the server fails to start, check the console for errors.
• On other hosts: Check your server console or log files for any crash reports or 'Server stopped' messages. Ensure the process is active.

2. Verify Connection Details

Double-check that you are using the correct IP address and port number. If your server is not running on the default port (25565), you must include the port in your connection string (e.g., 123.45.67.89:25566).

3. Check for Port Bindings

If you have recently changed your server type or version, ensure the port is correctly bound.

• On AwakeNode: Use the 'Version Changer' to ensure your server type is correctly configured. If you suspect a port conflict, open a ticket with Support for assistance.
• On other hosts: Manually check your server.properties file. Ensure the server-port matches the port assigned by your host.

4. Test Local Network

If the server is running but you still cannot connect, the issue may be local to your machine.

• Temporarily disable your local firewall or antivirus to see if they are blocking the connection.
• Try connecting using a different network (such as a mobile hotspot) to rule out ISP or router-level restrictions.