Tact-VC connects your computer directly to your friend's computer. No server carries the call, so your router and your computer must let it through. Most home networks work without changes. This page helps when yours doesn't.
Check your setup
- Open Settings → Network and click Check my network. The check shows whether friends can reach you and what to change.
- Open Settings → Help → System permissions. Every entry should say Allowed. If an entry says Blocked, click Open settings next to it.
- Ask your friend to do the same.
A call works as soon as one of you is reachable. It fails only when neither of you is.
Find your problem
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Check: Port opened fails, "router … refused to open a port" | Automatic port opening is off on the router | Automatic port opening |
| Check: Router warns, "No router answered" | The router doesn't offer automatic port opening | Automatic port opening, Port forwarding |
| Check: Public IPv4 warns about CGNAT | Your provider shares one address among many customers | Shared internet address |
| Check: Replies fails, "received nothing back" | A firewall, security program or VPN on this computer | macOS, Windows, VPNs |
| Check: App port fails | A security program blocks the app, or another program uses the port | macOS, Windows |
| System permissions: Firewall Blocked (Windows) | No firewall rule for the network type you're on | Windows |
| System permissions: Local Network Blocked (macOS) | Permission off, or out of date after an update | macOS |
| Friends over the internet work, friends on your own network don't (macOS) | Local Network permission | macOS |
| A friend shows offline although you're both online | Both addresses changed while you were apart | Friend stays offline |
| It works on one network but not on another (hotspot, office, school) | That network blocks direct connections or shares addresses | Shared internet address |
| Calls fail while a VPN is on | The VPN sends traffic elsewhere | VPNs |
Your problem isn't listed? See Known issues.
Get help
If none of this helps, someone helping you can see what your app sees:
- Open Settings → Help → Save a report for someone helping you….
- Check the preview. IP addresses are masked by default.
- Save the report and give it to the person helping you.
The report stays on your computer until you pass it on yourself.
To send us ideas or problems, use Settings → Help → Feedback.