also make sure homeserver.yaml has the following true 
```# If set to 'false', requires authentication to access the server's public rooms
# directory through the client API. Defaults to 'true'.
#
allow_public_rooms_without_auth: true

# If set to 'false', forbids any other homeserver to fetch the server's public
# rooms directory via federation. Defaults to 'true'.
#
allow_public_rooms_over_federation: true
```