localhost:3000 / 127.0.0.1:3000 nodejs server unable to connect via windows browsers

[Sandy-Garrido]

Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22000.708]

WSL Version

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

5.10.102.1

Distro Version

Ubunutu 20.04.4 LTS

Other Software

No response

Repro Steps

• Start a nodejs server with port 3000 via WLS
• Try to access via windows browser localhost:3000 or 127.0.0.1:300
• Unable to access it.

Expected Behavior

• be able to connect via localhost:3000 or 127.0.0.1:3000

Actual Behavior

Unable to connect to localhost wsl nodejs server

I am however able to access it via the wsl ip 172.29.229.115:3000 but this IP changes every time I restart or restart WSL which isn't useful for me every time as the project I'm working on requires the host to be a particular domain which I set via HOSTS.

I don't recall this working in the past as it's the first time I've needed to have a specific domain set in my host file

Diagnostic Logs

No response

[elsaco]

@Sandy-Garrido the loopback interface in Windows is separate from the loopback interface in a WSL instance. However, you can use portproxy to make the connection. A similar issue was discussed here not too long ago. Please check #8431

[Sandy-Garrido]

@Sandy-Garrido the loopback interface in Windows is separate from the loopback interface in a WSL instance. However, you can use portproxy to make the connection. A similar issue was discussed here not too long ago. Please check #8431

Hmm, thanks, though That answer suggests to enter the wsl ip all the time, this changes, so does that mean I will have to change this every time ?
Did I mention already that I can already connect if I just wsl.ip.x.x:3000 but I need a solution that doesn't require me to edit something every time I log into my pc

[elsaco]

@Sandy-Garrido is this what you're trying to connect?

   Window               WSL/node
127.0.0.1:3000 <---> 127.0.0.1:3000

[Sandy-Garrido]

@Sandy-Garrido is this what you're trying to connect?

   Window               WSL/node
127.0.0.1:3000 <---> 127.0.0.1:3000

Doh 🤦‍♂️ I see where you're going with that I think. I'll give that solution a try haha

[Sandy-Garrido]

@Sandy-Garrido is this what you're trying to connect?

   Window               WSL/node
127.0.0.1:3000 <---> 127.0.0.1:3000

Hey, so I tried:
-windows netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenport=3000 connectport=3000 connectaddress=127.0.0.1 protocol=tcp
-wsl export http_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:3000

However, it's still not giving me the desired result, just doesn't want to connect. Am I missing something from that thread?

btw, yes, was the answer to your question I quoted

[Sandy-Garrido]

Okay, whilst yes, what I wanted didn't work. With your comments etc, I've managed to at least create a logon script that will get the WSL IP and run the netsh command so that I don't need to keep changing it! thanks for you're help!

[Majikmikewrightedu]

Calc84