How do I connect AriaNg or Aria2 Explorer to aria2?

Start aria2 with RPC enabled using `aria2c --enable-rpc=true --rpc-listen-all=true --rpc-secret=YOUR_TOKEN`. Then open AriaNg or Aria2 Explorer settings and enter RPC Host: 127.0.0.1 (or localhost), Port: 6800, Protocol: HTTP/WebSocket, and your RPC Secret token.

Why is Aria2 Explorer unable to connect to localhost:6800?

Ensure aria2 is currently running as a daemon or process, port 6800 is not blocked by your firewall, and your RPC secret matches. If your browser forces HTTPS on WebUIs, use the Chrome extension or a local HTTP WebUI to prevent Mixed Content blocking.

GUI & WebUI Ecosystem

Best Graphical Frontends &
Browser Extensions for aria2

Combine the raw 16-connection download speed of aria2 with beautiful web dashboards, system tray desktop apps, and 1-click browser download interceptors.

Top 3 aria2 Frontends in 2026

Whether you want browser integration, a remote NAS dashboard, or a standalone desktop app, here are the industry-leading solutions.

#1 Browser Extension

Aria2 Explorer

The essential browser companion. Intercepts all browser downloads (including large file transfers and media streams) and routes them automatically to your aria2 daemon.

Chrome & Edge Firefox WebExtension Right-Click Download Cookie Sync

Chrome Web Store Firefox Add-on

#1 Web Dashboard

AriaNg (Modern WebUI)

A pure, responsive HTML/JS web dashboard that connects to aria2 over WebSocket or JSON-RPC. Features real-time speed charts, task management, and mobile compatibility.

No Server Needed Docker Container Dark / Light Mode Mobile Responsive

Launch Online AriaNg AriaNg on GitHub

#1 Desktop GUI App

Motrix

A full-featured, standalone desktop download manager with a sleek interface. It embeds aria2 internally, requiring zero manual terminal configuration.

Windows, macOS & Linux BitTorrent & Magnet System Tray Thunder Alternative

Download Motrix Motrix on GitHub

How to Connect Any GUI or WebUI to aria2 RPC

Follow this 3-step guide to run aria2 as a background daemon and connect AriaNg or Aria2 Explorer.

Start aria2 with RPC Enabled

Launch aria2 with the remote control interface enabled on port 6800. Set a strong secret token:

$aria2c --enable-rpc --rpc-listen-all=true --rpc-allow-origin-all=true --rpc-secret=my_secret_token --daemon

Configure AriaNg or Aria2 Explorer Settings

Open your WebUI or Browser Extension settings and input the following connection parameters:

Aria2 RPC Address: 127.0.0.1 (or your server IP)

Aria2 RPC Port: 6800

Aria2 RPC Protocol: WebSocket or HTTP

Aria2 RPC Secret: my_secret_token

Confirm Status: Connected (绿色已连接)

Reload the WebUI. Once connected, you can paste magnet links, direct download URLs, and watch aria2 saturate your network speed in real-time!

Troubleshooting GUI & RPC Connection Errors

Common issues when connecting web interfaces to aria2 and how to resolve them.

AriaNg shows "Aria2 Status: Disconnected" (连接未成功)

1. Check if aria2 is running in Task Manager or via ps aux | grep aria2.
2. Verify that rpc-secret matches exactly.
3. If accessing an online HTTPS WebUI, browsers will block connections to http://127.0.0.1:6800 due to Mixed Content security policies. See our Browser Integration Guide or deploy via our Docker Setup Guide to configure an SSL reverse proxy.

Port 6800 Failed to bind / Address already in use

Another instance of aria2 or another service is occupying port 6800. Kill existing instances: killall aria2c (Linux/Mac) or taskkill /F /IM aria2c.exe (Windows), or specify another port via --rpc-listen-port=6801.

Browser Extension fails to intercept downloads

In Aria2 Explorer extension settings, ensure Auto-capture file downloads is toggled on, and verify the file extension blacklist is not blocking your file type. For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our Browser Download Interceptor Guide.

How to generate an optimized config with RPC enabled?

Use our interactive aria2.conf Config Generator to generate a complete configuration file with custom RPC tokens, high-speed BT trackers, and auto-session recovery.