▲ 3 r/nginx
Windows PCs cannot reach my self-hosted HTTPS site, but phones can (same network, same DNS)
I'm hoping someone can help me figure out a networking issue that has me completely stumped.
Setup
- Ubuntu 24.04 on a DigitalOcean droplet
- Nginx + Let's Encrypt
- React frontend
- Node.js backend
- Domain:
morecreator.app
What's happening
My iPhone can access the site perfectly on:
- Home Wi-Fi
- Cellular
However, two completely different Windows laptops both fail.
The browser eventually returns:
ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
curl also times out:
curl.exe -vk https://morecreator.app
Trying <server IP>:443...
Timed out
What I've already verified
- Nginx is running.
- HTTPS is configured correctly with Let's Encrypt.
- The site responds correctly when accessed locally on the server.
- UFW allows ports 80 and 443.
- DNS resolves correctly.
- No proxy configured.
- Reset Winsock and TCP/IP.
- Disabled Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
- Tried different DNS servers.
- Disabled IPv6.
- No VPN installed.
- Windows Defender only (no third-party antivirus).
- Same behavior on two different Windows laptops.
The strange part
Everything worked perfectly a couple of weeks ago while I was in California.
After returning home to Georgia:
- ✅ iPhone still works
- ❌ Windows laptops both time out
The server configuration hasn't changed.
I'm trying to determine whether this is:
- a Windows networking issue,
- something with my ISP/router,
- DigitalOcean routing,
- or something I'm overlooking.
Has anyone run into something similar?
u/raelswrld — 1 day ago