Basically people in my network can connect to it just fine with the internal ip, but trying the external ip people cant connect and get failed to connect to the server disconnected. I already have the port forwarded properly (25565) to my internal ip address (192.168.1.117) with various port checking websites confirming it, and my firewall turned off and I have no antivurs installed at all, also I made sure server-ip= is blank in my server.properties file. Also I have no vpn software like hamachi installed as I know they can screw with my ports. So what else can be causing people to not be able to connect? Lastly I made sure my router firewall is turned off as well. Also I check my server console when people try to connect and it doesnt update at all so I believe its either my comp or network kicking people out and not my server.
Here's what I gathered from your post (correct me if I'm wrong):
You are hosting this server from your computer
The people attempting to connect to your server are on computers connected to the same network
They can connect to your server using your internal IP, but not your external IP
Your server doesn't register these users attempting to connect through your external IP
Your port forwarding is done correctly
Firewall and antivirus are not causing any issues
Based on this, your server is completely accessible.
If you're confused, let me explain: you only use the external IP to connect to a server when you're on a separate network than the host computer. If you want to connect to a server on the same network as your computer, you use the internal IP.
To explain it more clearly, let's say your server is a box inside of a room, and your router is the door. You and these users are already in the same room as the box. Since you are already inside the room, trying to get in by opening the door from the outside is pointless and impossible - hence using the internal IP. But, the users on the outside of the room need to go through the door to get inside - so users on a different network need to use the external IP to access your server.
I could confirm that your server is accessible from the outside using my computer if you'd like, just let me know.
Sorry I wasn't clear enough. When they are on my network the internal ip works fine. But when my friends go home my external ip does not let them connect.
Oh okay, sorry for the confusion. Did you get it working yet? Dinnerbone's checker from Galoka's post above is a great tool to use to test your server, however I assume that it would not be able to contact your server if multiple other users are unable to connect. What kind of router do you have? If you could post a screenshot of your router's port forwarding screen, that could be helpful.
Using dinnerbone server checker for my ip 72.48.104.157 it can find that its online and recognizes that im logged into my own server. But no one can connect still. When I turn my server off the dinnerbone checker cant find it and when I turn my server back on the dinnerbone checker finds it just fine. Also I attached my port forwarding page. I sometimes host a warband server as well on another port which works fine and people can connect. I never try to run 2 servers on the computer at the same time. Also I try to have my friends type in either 72.48.104.157 or 72.48.104.157:25565 and they still can't connect. Id also like to note I cant externally connect either when I go somewhere away from my home or get on the internet using my phones tethering.
Also anyone can feel free to try to log into my server ill leave it running. The ip is 72.48.104.157
Edit: I think I found a possible problem, when I disable my open ports on my router settings all the port checking websites still says its open? how do I refresh my router to actually make these changes take place when I open or close ports? Also using a port checker tool my udp port is open fine but my tcp port is not, why is this?
If you're confused, let me explain: you only use the external IP to connect to a server when you're on a separate network than the host computer. If you want to connect to a server on the same network as your computer, you use the internal IP.
To explain it more clearly, let's say your server is a box inside of a room, and your router is the door. You and these users are already in the same room as the box. Since you are already inside the room, trying to get in by opening the door from the outside is pointless and impossible - hence using the internal IP. But, the users on the outside of the room need to go through the door to get inside - so users on a different network need to use the external IP to access your server.
I could confirm that your server is accessible from the outside using my computer if you'd like, just let me know.
Potato, potato, tomato, tomato.
Oh okay, sorry for the confusion. Did you get it working yet? Dinnerbone's checker from Galoka's post above is a great tool to use to test your server, however I assume that it would not be able to contact your server if multiple other users are unable to connect. What kind of router do you have? If you could post a screenshot of your router's port forwarding screen, that could be helpful.
Potato, potato, tomato, tomato.
Using dinnerbone server checker for my ip 72.48.104.157 it can find that its online and recognizes that im logged into my own server. But no one can connect still. When I turn my server off the dinnerbone checker cant find it and when I turn my server back on the dinnerbone checker finds it just fine. Also I attached my port forwarding page. I sometimes host a warband server as well on another port which works fine and people can connect. I never try to run 2 servers on the computer at the same time. Also I try to have my friends type in either 72.48.104.157 or 72.48.104.157:25565 and they still can't connect. Id also like to note I cant externally connect either when I go somewhere away from my home or get on the internet using my phones tethering.
Also anyone can feel free to try to log into my server ill leave it running. The ip is 72.48.104.157
Edit: I think I found a possible problem, when I disable my open ports on my router settings all the port checking websites still says its open? how do I refresh my router to actually make these changes take place when I open or close ports? Also using a port checker tool my udp port is open fine but my tcp port is not, why is this?