3X-UI VPN on Your Server: Install & Configure Easily [Guide]

In an era where unrestricted access, privacy, and online security are more critical than ever, virtual private networks (VPNs) have become vital tools for businesses and individuals. According to Statista, the global VPN market exceeded $44 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% to reach nearly $137 billion by 2030.

For those looking to create a secure, customizable VPN server, the 3X-UI VPN tool, powered by Xray, offers a powerful and user-friendly open-source web dashboard for managing VPN servers.

This guide walks you through the installation and configuration of 3X-UI on your server, helping you manage your data security and online freedom.

What Is 3X-UI VPN?

3X-UI VPN is a graphical user interface (GUI) for managing VPN servers based on the X-UI project, designed to make VPN servers easier to use. It supports multiple protocols such as VMess, VLESS, ShadowSocks, and WireGuard, and allows you to manage server settings and view statistics through a web interface.

Main Features of 3X-UI VPN

This section presents the main features of the 3X-UI VPN control panel.

• Web Admin Interface

The 3X-UI VPN control panel offers a simple and intuitive web interface that allows you to manage all VPN settings, eliminating the need for complex command lines.

• Multiple Protocol Support

You can easily bypass internet service provider (ISP) censorship and restrictions with support for multiple advanced VPN protocols such as VMess, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks.

• User and Traffic Management

User and Traffic Management makes it easy to create, suspend, and delete users. This feature allows you to limit bandwidth, monitor usage statistics, and track expiration dates.

• Automatic SSL Integration

With built-in support for Let's Encrypt SSL certificates, you can easily encrypt your connections.

• Automatic Updates and System Tasks

The 3X-UI VPN panel offers automatic update capabilities for the panel and the X-ray core. In addition, cron jobs for maintenance tasks can be easily configured.

• Security and Firewall Rules

Advanced firewall rules, IP bans, and national restrictions enhance system security.

• Backup and Restore

Backup and disaster recovery features include creating and restoring full system backups, as well as setting up data protection to guard against accidental loss.

• Port Configuration and Information Hiding

This feature lets you change incoming and outgoing ports for better stealth and to prevent restricted networks from being detected.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using 3X-UI VPN for VPS

This section presents a summary table of the main advantages and disadvantages of using the 3X-UI VPN web panel for VPS.

Who Is 3X-UI VPN Suitable for?

Based on the key features, as well as the pros and cons, it’s clear that 3X-UI VPN is ideal for:

• Privacy-Conscious Users

These users value online privacy and want complete control over their VPN settings without relying on third-party VPN services.

• Censorship Circumvention

Users in countries with strict internet censorship (e.g., China, Iran, Russia) can take advantage of 3X-UI’s support for VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks, which are known for their ability to evade detection.

• Developers and System Administrators

Technical users who manage VPS environments and need to configure and maintain robust, multi-protocol VPN services efficiently will benefit from using 3X-UI VPN.

• Resellers and Small VPN Providers

3X-UI is ideal for setting up a small VPN service because it allows you to create and manage multiple user accounts with bandwidth limits and expiration dates.

• Remote Workers and Digital Nomads

It’s useful for professionals working across borders who require a reliable and secure connection to access company resources or geo-restricted services.

• Gamers and Streamers

3X-UI routing settings are quick and easy to configure for those looking to reduce ping, bypass IP bans, or access streaming content from other regions.

Comparison of 3X-UI VPN with Other Control Panels

Despite being a relatively new panel on the market, 3X-UI VPN has quickly established itself as a powerful and easy-to-use control panel for setting up VPN services on VPS servers. With its modern interface and flexibility to handle multiple protocols, 3X-UI VPN competes well with more traditional and complex server control panels such as:

• Ispmanager

The ispmanager control panel offers robust hosting and server management features; however, it is not explicitly designed for VPN services.

In contrast, 3X-UI focuses on user management and secure VPN deployment, making it the best panel for privacy-focused tasks.

• cPanel

While cPanel is a feature-rich hosting control panel, it does not support advanced VPN protocols such as VLESS or Trojan. It is also significantly more expensive and resource-intensive.

3X-UI is a simple, purpose-built tool that is easy to use and free, making it an excellent choice for smaller VPS setups.

• Plesk

Plesk offers server management features similar to cPanel and ispmanager, but is not VPN-focused.

3X-UI offers fundamental VPN features, such as user management, traffic monitoring, and SSL, without the bulk of a general-purpose panel and licensing costs.

If your primary goal is to deploy a secure, multi-protocol VPN on a VPS, 3X-UI offers great specialization, ease of use, and zero licensing fees compared to shared hosting panels like ispmanager, cPanel, or Plesk.

How to Use 3X-UI VPN for VPS Hosting: Step-by-Step Guide

This section provides a detailed guide for installing and configuring the 3X-UI VPN web panel and using it for VPS hosting.

Step 1: Buying a Server

The first step to installing and configuring 3X-UI VPN on your server is to buy or rent a server.

Recommended system requirements:

• OS: Debian 12 (default) or Ubuntu 24.04 (for self-configuration)
• RAM: Minimum 2 GB
• Virtualization: KVM
• Network: IPv4 required
• Pre-installed software: 3X-UI

The article will use Ubuntu 24.04.

Due to its high performance, flexible management, and unlimited possibilities, renting a VPS from is*hosting is an excellent solution. We provide the panel pre-installed, so you don’t need to install 3X-UI. Just configure the connection in the panel and set up the client on different devices.

After ordering a server, you will receive access information by email in the following format:

The panel address is http://IP_address:PORT/.

Server IP: 38.xxx.xxx.xxx

Root / xxxxxxxxxx

http://38.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxxx/

User = xxxxxxxx

Password = xxxxxxxx

Step 2: Initial Server Setup

This article will set up a new connection on Ubuntu 24.04 using one of the best, lightest, and most efficient protocols: the Very Light Efficient Stream System (VLESS) protocol. This protocol acts as a bridge between the client and the server.

To set up the server for installing 3X-UI VPN, follow these steps:

1. Open a command prompt by pressing the key combination “Ctrl+Alt+T” (Ubuntu).
2. In the command prompt that appears, install the latest updates. 
   sudo apt updatesudo apt upgrade
3. After the updates are installed, reboot the device.
4. To make sure the necessary packages are installed on your server, enter the following command:
   apt-get install wget curl -y

Step 3: Installing the 3X-UI Panel

To install the 3X-UI panel, follow the steps:

1. Run the script with the following command: 
   bash <(curl -Ls https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhsanaei/3x-ui/master/install.sh)
2. The script will ask this question in the command line: 
   Would you like to customize the Panel Port settings? (If not, a random port will be applied) [y/n]:
   Answer "y" to set the port yourself, or answer "n" to let the script set the port automatically.
3. Next, specify the user password, the panel port (we recommend setting a non-standard one), and the web path to the panel site.

Please set up your password: **********Your password will be: **********Please set up your panel port: ***Your panel port will be: ***Initializing, please wait...

Congratulations! The panel has been installed successfully!

Step 4: Configuring 3X-UI VPN

To configure 3X-UI VPN, follow these steps:

1. Connect to the panel via a browser using the link ipserver:port. In our case, the link looks like this: http://38.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxxx.
2. After entering the address in the browser, a login window for the panel will appear. Enter your username and password.
3. To configure the first connection, click the Inbounds tab in the side menu → Add Inbound.
4. Configure the protocols in the window that appears.
   
   Note: Connection name.
   Protocol: VLESS
   IP Port: Leave this blank; the panel will fill it automatically
   Port: xxx
5. Scroll down, enable REALITY in the Security section, and fill in the additional fields.
   
   uTLS: Google Chrome by default, but most recommendations suggest specifying Mozilla Firefox.
   Domain: The panel will fill this in automatically.
   Dest and Server Names: It is recommended to specify a site outside the Russian Federation that is not blocked by Roskomnadzor and does not use redirects. Ideally, the site has an IP address belonging to the same host that uses the proxy.
   Private Key and Public Key: This is generated by clicking the Get New Key button.
6. Click Create.

Step 5: Setting Up the Client

To set up your first client, follow these steps:

1. Fill in the following fields in the Client tab:
   
   Email: Specify an email or something to will help identify the client and protocol in the future.
   Subscription: Leave this field blank.
   Flow: If REALITY is enabled, select "xtls-rprx-vision" here.
2. Click Create.
3. Congratulations! You have set up 3X-UI VPN and your first client.
4. To open the list of users, click the + next to the connection ID.
5. Using the menu button, you can add new users, either one at a time or all at once.
   
   

Step 6: Connecting 3X-UI VPN on Your macOS Device

To connect and configure 3X-UI VPN on a macOS:

1. Download the FoXray app from the App Store.
2. In the 3X-UI graphical panel, expand the list of clients by clicking the + sign, then under the Menu next to the created client, click the icon.
3. Copy the connection link under the URL inscription.
4. Send this link to your macOS device using any convenient method, and copy it there.
5. To add a profile, launch the FoXray app.
6. In the upper-left corner of the FoXray app, click the + button and add the link.
7. To activate the VPN connection, click the Play button in the FoXray app → allow adding the VPN configuration.  
8. Enter the password, and you can start using the VPN connection.

Step 7: Connecting 3X-UI VPN on Your Windows 10/11 Device

To connect and configure 3X-UI VPN on a Windows computer:

1. Download the archive with the Invisible Man XRay program from GitHub and unzip it.
2. In the 3X-UI graphical panel, expand the list of clients by clicking + sign, then under the Menu next to the created client, click the icon.
3. Copy the connection link under the URL inscription.
4. Send this link to your Windows computer using any convenient method, and copy it there. 
5. Run the Invisible Man XRay program and go to Manage server configuration.
6. Click the + button in the lower right corner of the window.
7. Select Import from link → paste the previously copied link → click IMPORT.
8. If done correctly, a new configuration should be added. Return to the initial Invisible Man XRay window and click the Run button.
9. Congratulations! 3X-UI VPN on your Windows device is ready to use.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with 3X-UI VPN for VPS Hosting

Even though the web panel setup is fairly simple, you may still encounter occasional issues when managing your server with 3X-UI VPN. The following sections provide the most common problems and troubleshooting options.

Login Errors

Problem:

Unable to access the 3X-UI web panel or receive an "Invalid credentials" error.

Causes and solutions:

• Incorrect username/password: Double-check your login credentials. If you’ve forgotten the admin password, reset it using the following server command:

x-ui admin reset

• Firewall blocking access: Make sure the 3X-UI web panel port is open. Use ufw or iptables to check and allow the appropriate port.
• SSL certificate issues: If you receive security warnings when using HTTPS, try accessing the panel via HTTP or reissue the SSL certificate using the panel or acme.sh.

Connection Drops

Problem:

VPN connects but then disconnects shortly after.

Causes and solutions:

• Incorrectly configured login parameters: Verify that the transport protocol, port, and parameters match the server and client configurations.
• ISP blocking or interference: To avoid aggressive filtering, try switching protocols (e.g., replacing VMess with Trojan or Shadowsocks) or changing ports.
• Server overload or resource limits: Check CPU, RAM, and bandwidth usage. If your VPS is hitting limits, consider upgrading.
• System time mismatch: Incorrect server time can cause TLS or handshake errors. Run timedatectl to synchronize with a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server.

Journal Analysis

3X-UI and Xray provide valuable logs for identifying issues.

Where to find logs:

3X-UI logs:

journalctl -u x-ui -f

Xray core logs:

Access through a web dashboard or check manually at:

/etc/x-ui/xray-access.log and /etc/x-ui/xray-error.log

What to pay attention to:

• “Invalid user” or “Cannot parse”: Indicates an invalid client configuration or outdated settings.
• “Timeout”: May be caused by network issues, DNS errors, or blocked ports.
• TLS handshake errors: Typically due to SSL certificate mismatches or outdated certificates.

Tips:

• Enable verbose logging in Xray for advanced diagnostics by editing config.json and increasing the loglevel.
• Always test one change at a time to find the root cause. 
• Consider setting up automatic monitoring or alerts for connection failures or resource spikes.

Tips for Beginners

With these tips, even beginners can find the right solutions to common issues when setting up their own 3X-UI VPN for VPS hosting.

• Familiarize yourself with the basic settings before proceeding to more advanced features like TLS fallback or custom firewall rules.
• Use Let's Encrypt SSL for secure, encrypted connections.
• Save configuration backups regularly, especially after significant changes.
• Join the Telegram or GitHub communities for support, updates, and troubleshooting help.
• Keep your VPS updated to protect it from security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Powerful yet simple, the 3X-UI VPN control panel is ideal for deploying secure multi-protocol VPNs on your VPS. It offers a flexible solution for privacy, access control, and bypassing restrictions with an intuitive interface, rich features, and a free setup process. It’s an ideal solution for newbies and experienced server administrators alike.

We hope this guide serves as a reliable resource for setting up your own 3X-UI VPN for VPS hosting, so even a beginner can confidently create secure and private internet access tailored to their needs.