Struggling to connect self-hosted n8n to the internet

Hey everyone,

I’m having a tough time setting up a way to access my self-hosted n8n from the internet. I need this for some API calls and redirect URLs.

I tried using Cloudflare tunnel, but no luck. It shows as working in the dashboard, but won’t connect to my localhost:5678 where n8n is running.

I’ve also:

  • Used a temporary tunnel to rule out DNS issues
  • Tested with a simple Python HTTP server on port 8000 (still got a 404 error)
  • Tried using a VPN to check if it’s an ISP problem

My n8n Docker container works fine with Ngrok, so I’m pretty sure the setup is okay.

Any ideas what might be going wrong here? I’m out of ideas and could really use some help troubleshooting this. Thanks!

I’ve been down this road before, and it can be frustrating. Have you considered using a reverse proxy like Traefik? It’s designed to work well with Docker and can handle the routing for you. I set it up for my home lab, and it’s been rock solid.

Another thing to check is your Docker network configuration. Sometimes, the container’s network mode can cause issues with external access. Try using the ‘host’ network mode for your n8n container and see if that helps.

If you’re still stuck, you might want to look into using a VPS with a static IP. It’s a bit more work to set up initially, but it eliminates a lot of the headaches that come with trying to expose services from a home network.

Lastly, don’t discount the possibility of ISP interference. Some ISPs are notorious for blocking incoming connections on non-standard ports. You might need to call them and ask about their policies on hosting services from a residential connection.

Have you considered using a reverse proxy like Nginx or Apache? I’ve had success with this approach for exposing self-hosted services. You’d set up the proxy on a server with a public IP, then configure it to forward requests to your local n8n instance. This method gives you more control over security and routing.

Another option is to use a VPS (Virtual Private Server) to host both n8n and the reverse proxy. This eliminates local network complexities and provides a stable environment for your setup. It might be overkill for personal use, but it’s worth considering if you need reliable access.

Don’t forget to check your ISP’s policies. Some block incoming connections on certain ports, which could explain why Cloudflare Tunnel isn’t working as expected. You might need to contact them or switch to a business-grade internet plan for better options.

hey man, have u tried using a different port? sometimes certain ports can be blocked. also, double-check ur firewall settings. they might be blocking the connection. if all else fails, maybe stick with ngrok for now? it seems to work for u already.