How to Access Local Server on WSL2 from Windows

It sounds like you’re on the right track with WSL2 and web development, but I get how frustrating it can be when things don’t just work right away. Here’s a simple guide to help you access your server on port 3000 from your Windows browser.

1. Check Your Server Configuration

Make sure your server is binding to the correct host. When you start your server, it should ideally bind to `0.0.0.0` instead of `localhost`. This tells your server to accept connections from all network interfaces.

    # Example for an Express server
    app.listen(3000, '0.0.0.0', () => {
        console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
    });
    

2. Accessing the Server from Windows

When WSL2 is running, URLs like localhost:3000 on Windows will not work out of the box. Instead, you need to use your WSL2 IP address:

    # Get your WSL2 IP address by running this in your WSL terminal:
    hostname -I
    

Then, you can access your server in Windows using that IP address and port 3000, like this:

    http://:3000
    

3. Allow Port in Firewall

If you’re still having trouble, check your Windows Firewall. Here’s a quick way to allow port 3000:

    # Open Command Prompt as admin and run this:
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Allow WSL2" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=3000
    

4. Test It Out

Now, try accessing the server in your Windows browser using the WSL2 IP address. It should work!

5. Persistent Issues

If it’s still not connecting, just double-check these:

• Your server is running without errors in WSL2.
• You are using the correct WSL2 IP address.
• Your firewall rule is successfully added.

With these steps, you should be able to get to your local apps up and running in no time! Good luck!