Fix Web Interface Not Opening

Symptoms

The browser shows Connection refused, Site cannot be reached, a timeout, or a certificate warning when opening OpenStream TV.

Possible causes

The server is stopped, the address or port is wrong, the process listens only on localhost, a firewall blocks access, or the browser is using HTTP for an HTTPS-only port.

Diagnosis

1. On the server, run ost serve in a terminal if it is not running as a service. Look for startup or port-binding errors.
2. Open http://localhost:5001/ on that same machine using the default listener.
3. For another LAN device, check whether the server was started with --host 0.0.0.0 and whether its firewall permits the chosen port.
4. When --tls is enabled, use https://<server-address>:5443/ for the HTTPS listener. Plain HTTP remains on port 5001 by default.

Solution

1. Start the server and use its configured host and port. For an occupied port, choose an unused one such as ost serve --port 5002.
2. For trusted LAN access, bind to the intended interface and allow the chosen port in the host firewall.
3. If HTTPS is enabled, use the HTTPS URL. Trust a self-signed certificate only if you control and trust this server.

Verification

Load Channels or the admin sign-in page on the server, then repeat from the target client. A page opening alone does not prove channel playback.

Further help

Share the URL’s scheme/host/port (no access key), browser error, server startup output and network topology. See network access and server troubleshooting.