Candidate computers can't find the exam server

The ExamQR Exam candidate app looks for servers by broadcasting on the local network. Broadcasts only reach computers in the same network segment, so a server in another subnet, behind a VLAN or on isolated Wi-Fi is not found automatically. Typing the server address works in most of these cases.

How you recognise it

On the Choose a server screen the list stays empty and the app shows “No server found yet” with these checks:

• “Is ExamQR open on the server?”
• “Is this computer on the same network (same Wi-Fi or wired network) as the server?”
• “Does the server's home screen say the firewall doesn't allow ExamQR?”

Likely causes

• ExamQR Exam is not open on the server computer, or the server computer is asleep.
• The firewall on the server blocks ExamQR.
• Candidate computers and the server are on different networks: another subnet or VLAN, a guest Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi that isolates devices from each other.
• The server has several network cards (VPN, Hyper-V, VMware, Wi-Fi plus cable) and announces an address that candidates can't reach.

Fix it

1. On the server computer, open ExamQR Exam and sign in. Open the exam you want to run: a server without an open exam appears in the list with “No exam open yet”.
2. On the server's Dashboard, look at System status. If it says the firewall doesn't allow ExamQR, follow The firewall blocks ExamQR Exam, so candidates can't find the server.
3. Note the address shown under Server address on the server's dashboard, for example 192.168.1.10 : 5000.
4. On the candidate computer, click Enter address manually, type the address (for example 192.168.1.10; without a port, 5000 is used) and click Connect. Tick Remember this server (auto-connect next time) so the next start connects by itself.
5. If the server has several network cards: open the exam on the server, go to Overview, and under Broadcast IP address (machines with several network cards): choose the address of the network the candidate computers use (usually the one whose first three numbers match theirs). Turn off any VPN on the server during the exam.
6. To compare addresses, run ipconfig (Windows) or ip addr (Linux) on a candidate computer. If its address starts differently from the server's, the computers are on different networks: use the typed address, and ask the IT administrator to allow traffic from the candidate computers to the server on TCP port 5000.

If it still doesn't work

If the typed address gives an error message, see The candidate app sees the server but can't connect. Otherwise report the problem and include the server address, the address of one candidate computer, and whether they use cable or Wi-Fi.