Using port number in Windows host file

📝 Title: "Troubleshooting Windows Host File Issues with Port Numbers: A Simple Solution!"

👋 Hey there, tech-savvy readers! 👩‍💻👨‍💻

Are you facing trouble accessing your local server on Windows after tweaking the host file? 🤔 Don't worry, we've got your back! In this blog post, we'll tackle the problem head-on and provide you with a simple and effective solution. Let's dive right in! 🏊‍♂️💻

The Mystery Behind the Windows Host File and Port Numbers

When you perform certain configurations, such as changing your server's port number (like in the case of TeamViewer), you might need to update the Windows host file to ensure smooth communication between your local machine and the desired domain. 🌐🔀

However, encountering the issue of your local server not redirecting as expected can be frustrating! 😤 Let's see what went wrong ⛔ and how we can make it right ✅.

Understanding the Problem and Finding the Solution

Based on the information you shared, it seems that your attempt to include the port number in the host file wasn't successful, and accessing www.example.com doesn't redirect you to your WampServer. Let's fix that! 💪🔧

Step 1️⃣: Open your host file 📂

• Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\.

• Look for a file named hosts (without any extension).

• Right-click on it and select "Open with" ➡️ "Notepad" or any preferred text editor.

Step 2️⃣: Make the necessary changes ✏️

• In the host file, locate the line containing www.example.com.

• Modify the line to include the port number by appending :8080 after the IP address, just like you did before. It should now look like this: 127.0.0.1:8080 www.example.com.

• Save the changes and close the host file.

Step 3️⃣: Clearing DNS cache 🗑️

• Open the Command Prompt on your Windows machine.

• Type the following command: ipconfig /flushdns.

• Press Enter to flush the DNS cache.

• Restart your web browser for the changes to take effect.

Revisit www.example.com now! 🌐👀 Fingers crossed 🤞, your browser should successfully redirect to your WampServer running on port 8080. 🎉🔀

Share Your Experience and Join the Discussion!

We hope this workaround helped you resolve the problem you encountered with the Windows host file and port numbers. 🙌😊

If you have any questions, alternative solutions, or additional insights, drop a comment below ⬇️. We love hearing from our readers, and your input might help others facing similar issues. Let's learn together! 🤝💡

🔥💬 We want to hear from you! Did this solution work for you? Let us know about your experience in the comments below. Don't forget to share this blog post with your friends who might be struggling with the same issue. Sharing is caring! 💙✨

Happy coding! 💻✌️