Why does XMRig say "connection refused"?

XMRig says “connection refused” when it tries to reach a mining server, but that connection is actively rejected. Usually, the server address or port is wrong, the mining service is offline, or a firewall is rejecting the connection—not a problem with your CPU or mining speed.

What the message tells you

XMRig is mining software that runs on your device and sends work to a pool, a service that combines work from many miners. Before it can send anything, it must open a network connection to that pool.

A port is a numbered entry point for a service on a server. “Connection refused” usually means XMRig reached an address, but nothing accepted connections on the requested port. A firewall or another network device can also send that rejection.

This differs from other errors:

• “Connection timed out” means no useful response arrived in time.
• “Host not found” points to trouble looking up the server’s address.
• “Invalid login” usually means a connection opened, but the pool rejected your login details.

That distinction matters: changing your wallet address usually will not fix a refused connection.

Check the pool address and port first

Open your XMRig configuration file, usually called config.json, and find the active entry under pools. Its url should contain the pool’s mining hostname and port, in the form hostname:port.

Compare both parts with the pool’s current setup instructions. Check for:

• A typing mistake or an old pool hostname.
• A port copied from instructions for a different coin.
• A website address instead of the mining server address.
• A pool that has closed or changed its connection settings.

Also check the tls setting. TLS encrypts the connection between you and the pool. Use the pool’s stated TLS setting for your chosen port. A TLS mismatch more often causes a handshake or connection error than a plain refusal, but it is still worth checking.

Do not guess port numbers. Pools choose their own, and an alternative port only helps if the pool actually supports it.

Work out whether the problem is local

Look at the server address shown beside the error in XMRig’s log. If you configured several pools, the rejected connection may belong to a backup rather than your main pool.

Then try these checks:

• Check the pool’s status notice for an outage or maintenance.
• Test another officially listed endpoint for the same pool.
• If permitted, test from another network you control.
• Check whether your firewall or security software has blocked XMRig.

Do not turn off your security software just to make mining work. Verify that your XMRig download came from its official source before allowing its connection. On a school or workplace network, ask the administrator; do not try to bypass restrictions.

If you connect through a local proxy

A mining proxy forwards connections from miners to a pool. If your configured address is localhost or 127.0.0.1, XMRig is trying to connect to your own device.

Make sure the proxy is running and listening on the same port XMRig uses. If it is on another device you own, check that device’s address, listening settings, and firewall.

The bottom line

Start with the exact hostname and port in the error log. A refused connection is mainly a server or network connection problem, so check the endpoint, service availability, and firewall before changing your wallet or CPU settings.