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Windows 11 blocks my Node.js dev environment from listening to the network

Anonymous
2024-12-15T11:19:39+00:00

I develop various stuff using Node.js, and sometimes I need to access my dev server on windows 11 machine from the device in the same wifi network.

How does it work:

  1. I run server for the first time
  2. Windows automatically blocks Node.js from listening on port, but it asks me if I want to allow it
  3. Accessing server by localhost always works fine (but it is not inbound connection)
  4. As I remember, inbound connections also work fine
  5. After some time (couple of weeks) I try to connect from the phone to my dev server and fail (windows doesn't notify me about blocked connection)
  6. I try some commands to reset network settings and reboot machine
  7. After the reboot, my machine is accessible from the network
  8. Repeat from step 5

I try these commands, and I'm not sure which one is actually helping:


netsh advfirewall reset

netsh int ip reset

netsh winsock reset

Looks like windows somehow finally decides, that I don't need Node.js to listen for the incoming connections anymore, and just blocks it. Node.js is allowed for public and private networks in firewall, I do everything in the private network.

I would like to at least receive notifications about something is blocked now. In ideal case, I want to just configure this thing once and never think about it.

And, maybe this is the wrong place to complain, but I'm very frustrated of the Windows 11, in general my experience is very poor with it, because of these blocks of stuff that I need, what was not the case in Windows 10. Unfortunately, this is the only supported Windows at the moment and I can't just downgrade it. It is even more frustrating, that I paid a full price for the Windows 11.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-23T05:52:56+00:00

    Hi Nikolai Dorofeev.

    I am glad to hear that your issue has been resolved. If you found my answer helpful, I hope you'll mark it as helpful. This will help others in the community who are experiencing the same problem as you to find a solution better. Thank you for your community feedback and for helping us build a better community. Merry Christmas to you.

    Best regards

    Raylan-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-23T05:43:23+00:00

    During resolution of the other issue, I've found developer mode toggle in Windows 11: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69560731/how-can-i-solve-this-problem-os-error-a-required-privilege-is-not-held-by-the 

    Most of my problems are solved, and it is possible, that I will never face the stated issue again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-12-17T08:12:31+00:00

    You can always get back to us if you try the method. Please let us know if this method helped.

    Best Regards,

    Raylan-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-12-17T08:02:20+00:00

    Thanks, I will try this approach as soon as I face this problem another time. As stated in the issue, windows decides to block Node.js after some time.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-12-16T07:54:20+00:00

    Hi Nikolai Dorofeev.

    Welcome to the Microsoft community.

    We have read your question and you are having some problems with node.js development. First of all I need to state that I am not a professional programmer. I will try my best to help you out from the Windows direction.

    You mentioned that you entered three commands, I looked up what they do exactly

    netsh advfirewall reset: reset the firewall

    netsh int ip reset: reset IP settings

    netsh winsock reset: reset network configuration and winsock protocols

    I think the first of these three commands is the one that really works, and it should be a firewall issue. You can try whitelisting your node.js program into the firewall or whitelisting the IP address your program is using.

    Since I am not a programmer, I don't know what to whitelist, so I can only help you to open the whitelist of your firewall:

    1. Search for “Windows Security Center” in the search box on the taskbar, and open “Windows Security Center”.
    2. Find “Firewall and network protection” in the left menu bar, find “Allow applications through the firewall”, you can change the whitelist here.

    In addition to this, opening your node.js program with administrator privileges should also help.

    In conclusion, I would like to state that Windows 10 is still supported. You can return Windows 10 until October 14, 2025. If you still have issues that remain unresolved, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

    Best Regards,

    Raylan-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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