Client cannot see dedicated server unless local network player is logged in - not publishing to server list, no access via direct IP

[HereticSin]

I run a dedicated server.  The host machine for the server does not have a player, I do not log on to the game on this machine.
I do understand the pinned post.  it's a lot of work for no more information than I can provide.

My serverconfig is set to show public. <servervisibility 2>.

I have opened it on port 26900 while forwarding 26900-26905 both TCP and UDP.  My ISP does not have me behind a NAT, and no NATs are running on my network.

I have done the same on 25000-25005.

I have forwarded those ports to my server machines local address.

I have run it with no disabled networking services, and with disabling LiteNetLib and Steamnetworking in every combination.

I have run it with my local firewall completely disabled, and with it enabled allowing Steam, the game, and the server complete access.

I have enabled and disabled telnet and control panel with every one of these combinations.

my server logs will not help.  when the client tries to type in my IP and port directly, the server never acknowledges a request.

the client logs say "attempting to connect" and never get messages from the server.  just failed to connect.

there is no information in those logs about the communication between the client and my server, because they don't communicate.

I am not interested in why a client can't connect.  they can.  as long as someone on my local network connects, they can see it as a server a friend is on.  My question is why my server does not show up on the listed servers.  that's it.  If no client ever tried to connect, I would still wonder why my server isn't showing on the list.  that's my question.

2022-01-07T22:54:47 65.367 INF Localization language: english
2022-01-07T22:54:47 65.369 INF [Steamworks.NET] GameServer.Init successful
2022-01-07T22:54:47 65.374 INF [Steamworks.NET] Making server public
2022-01-07T22:54:48 66.055 INF [Steamworks.NET] GameServer.LogOn successful, 

I get that message at the end of my server log every time I run it.

<disable NAT = true> will cause my server to crash on launch.  there is no such setting in my serverconfig.xml.

also of note, when logged into steam and checking available servers through their server list, I don't show up there either.

 

[HereticSin]

And because I'm apparently too stupid to be doing this anymore...there's a save changes button on the home screen of my router.  

Haven't tested yet, but since canyouseeme now actually sees that port listening, I think I might have found my mistake.

In my defense, the last time I played with router settings the "okay" button was enough to save port forwards, just had to powercycle the router.  That's what I get for being old and thinking i know instead of looking around.