Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Getting this error when running Synergy: "Connection was refused" (macOS server with a Windows 10 client)

Synergy connection refused error on macOS server with Windows 10 client

Quick Answer: Check the firewall settings on both machines and ensure that the Synergy server is configured correctly.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 🎯 Final Words

The error 'Connection was refused' when running Synergy on macOS with a Windows 10 client is frustrating for users trying to share their keyboard and mouse across different operating systems. This issue affects those who have set up Synergy as a server on their Mac and want to connect from their Windows 10 NUC.

This error can be particularly annoying, especially when the setup seems correct and the server appears to start normally. In this guide, we will walk through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Synergy client on Windows 10 may not be able to connect to the macOS server due to a firewall or network configuration issues. The client may also require additional configuration settings to work properly.
  • Another possible cause could be the DNS resolution issue, where the client is unable to resolve the server's IP address correctly.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Check and adjust firewall settings

  1. Step 1: Open System Preferences on your Mac and select Network. Select the Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection you are using and click on the Advanced button.
  2. Step 2: In the Advanced window, select the TCP/IP tab and make sure that 'Renew DHCP Lease' is checked. Click OK to save the changes.
  3. Step 3: On your Windows 10 NUC, open the Control Panel and navigate to Network and Sharing Center. Select Change adapter settings and find the Synergy client connection. Right-click on it and select Properties.
  4. Step 4: In the Properties window, ensure that the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is set to Obtain an IP address automatically or use a static IP address if required. Click OK to save the changes.

Check DNS resolution

  1. Step 1: On your Windows 10 NUC, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Type `ipconfig /all` and press Enter to display the IP address of your Synergy client.
  2. Step 2: Note down the IP address displayed in the Command Prompt. This will be used to configure the DNS resolution on the server side.
  3. Step 3: On your Mac, open the Terminal application and navigate to the Synergy configuration directory (usually `/private/var/folders/7x/bsz1mn9d5ps8pzs886s71d9m0000gq/T/Synergy.RTGuIV`).
  4. Step 4: Edit the `synergyservice.conf` file using a text editor and add the following line at the end: `dns resolve `. Replace `` with the IP address noted down in Step 2. Save the changes.

🎯 Final Words

After troubleshooting the firewall settings and DNS resolution, try reconnecting to the Synergy server from your Windows 10 NUC. If you continue to experience issues, ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or use a wired Ethernet connection for stable connectivity.

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