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Steps for Port Forwarding: Comprehensive Guide

Guide for Setting Up Port Forwarding on Various Routers: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

,   and  Administrator
7 min read
Comprehensive Steps for Navigating Port Forwarding
Comprehensive Steps for Navigating Port Forwarding

Steps for Port Forwarding: Comprehensive Guide

Fixin' to get your game or software connected properly and heard that somethin' called "port forwardin'" might help, but what the hell is it and how do you do it? You're in the right place. Whether you're tryin' to reduce latency in your gaming, host a server, or access a device remotely, this guide is gonna show you how to set up port forwarding step-by-step, like a damn pro.

Here's the lowdown: Ports are like virtual doors or gateways that allow data to flow in and out of your devices (like your PC, console, smartphone, fridge, or whatever). Port forwarding is the process of makin' a specific port on a specific device accessible to the whole wide world so other devices can send data back and forth through that port. But it's like havin' an unlocked pet door in your house - it's convenient, but if it ain't managed properly, it can lead to a security risk.

You might need port forwarding when your router's UPnP system isn't workin' as intended, or if you've got a super old router that doesn't support UPnP, and you wanna handle your ports manually. Here are a few reasons why you might wanna go it alone:

  • Gamin' and low-latency connections: Many online games require specific ports to be open for smooth multiplayer connections.
  • Remote access to devices and servers: When you're travelin' or workin' from a cafe and want to access your devices at home.
  • Hostin' websites and online services: If you want to host a website on your own hardware and internet connection, or set up a Jellyfin server for a private streaming service.
  • Improvin' security and network control: Sometimes you might want complete control over your network and want to decide which apps on your devices can connect to the internet.

Now, let's dive into how it works:

At the most basic level, you sign into your router, set up what's called a "rule," sayin' something like, "This router needs to always have port 45693 open to the internet, and all connections to port 45693 should be routed to my Xbox." It won't say that in plain English, but that's essentially what you're doin'.

Here are the main things to know:

  1. Ports are endpoints that allow computers to send and receive data. There are 65,635 ports available, but not all of 'em open at once.
  2. You'll need to specify a protocol, which is a set of instructions for how data should be processed and handled. Now, when data is sent from one computer to another, it'll be sent according to either TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol). TCP is used for communication that depends on a stable, reliable connection, while UDP is used for real-time communication like gaming and video streamin'.
  3. Protocols can be layered on top of each other (for example, when you browse a website, HTTPS is layered on top of TCP).
  4. Routers use Network Address Translation (NAT) to decide which bits of internet traffic are supposed to be goin' to your PC and which go to your smartphone, TV, console, etc. Port forwarding creates an exception, tellin' the router to allow connections through a specific port you opened to a designated device of your choice.

usual misconceptions:

  1. That port forwarding will improve lag, ping, or latency. This is not true. It will not make your internet faster. It just helps specific games, apps, or servers on your network connect without bein' blocked by your router.
  2. That port forwarding is more secure than UPnP. For most home users, UPnP is safer and more convenient since it automatically opens ports when needed and closes 'em when they're no longer in use.

Now, let's learn how to set up port forwarding on your router:

Step 1: Find your router's IP address

In most home networks, there are two types of IP addresses:

  • The public IP address of your router, which is the IP that other computers see when they try to connect to you
  • Local IP addresses, which are assigned to every device on your network (like 192.168.0.3)

Your router also has a local IP address. Usually, you can find it on a sticker on the router itself, in the user manual, or by contacting your ISP's customer service team. You can also try:

  • Windows: Open Command Prompt and type , then look for the Default Gateway-that's your router's IP address.
  • Mac: Open Terminal and type .
  • Linux: Open Terminal and type .

Step 2: Log in to your router's admin panel

  1. Open a browser on your computer or phone.
  2. Type the router's IP address into the address bar (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Note: If you get an error, make sure the address bar doesn't show "https://" in the browser next to the IP address. Some browsers force you to use HTTPS, which will cause problems as these local router control panels can usually only be accessed with regular HTTP (The lack of an S matters).
  3. You should see a login page askin' for a username and password. Consider changin' these credentials, since it's more secure than usin' the defaults.

Step 3: Locate the port forwarding section

Once you're logged in, look for the menu option called "Port Forwarding," "Virtual Server," or "NAT Forwarding."

Step 4: Configure port forwarding rules

Choosin' the right ports

Different applications use different ports. Some of the most commonly used ports include:

  • Port 80 (HTTP): Hostin' websites
  • Port 443 (HTTPS): Secure, encrypted connections to websites you host.
  • Port 22 (SSH): Remote access, allowin' you to control other computers via the command line.

For gaming or custom applications, check the documentation for the required port numbers.

Selectin' TCP or UDP protocols

Choose TCP for reliable communication like web browsin', emails, and file transfers. Choose UDP for faster, real-time communication like gaming and video streamin'.

Assignin' a static IP address

Your device's local IP address can change dependin' on when devices get turned off or on, and your router hands out local IP addresses on a first-come, first-served basis. One way to ensure your forwarded port always sends traffic to the right device is to set up a static IP address for that device. On Windows, Linux, and Mac, you can actually change your network settings to always request the same static IP address for your device. But, if you want to be really sure, you can set up your router to hand out the same IP address to a given device every time.

Step 5: Save and apply the changes

After setin' up port forwardin' in your router's settings, click Save or Apply Changes. You might temporarily lose your connection to the internet while your router applies the new configurations.

Step 6: Test if your ports are open

Usin' online port checkers

You can use various online port checkers like portchecker.io or yougetsignal.com. These websites will test your external IP address for access to the ports you specify, and tell you if they're open.

If the checker says they're closed, you'll need to try again.

Testin' via Command Prompt (Windows, Mac, Linux)

For command line enthusiasts, you can test using built-in terminal commands. Note: I don't recommend usin' netcat, as it continually gave me false positives, tellin' me ports were open on UDP when they weren't.

  • On Windows, run without the quotes. Replace
  • On Linux, install nmap, and run . Again, that's without the quotes, and replace the brackets as necessary.
  • On Mac, you can install nmap, and use the same command as above.

Port forwardin' on different routers - step-by-step guides

Here are some examples for popular routers:

How to port forward on ASUS routers

  1. Log in to your router's settings page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
  2. Go to WAN > Virtual Server/Port Forwarding.
  3. Find the Enable Port Forwarding switch, and click to turn it on.
  4. Find the button below that says Add Profile, and click it.
  5. Optional: Check the Famous Server List or Famous Game List to see if your app or game is listed there, for easy configuration.
  6. Add the port you want to open, select the protocol, and select the internal IP address of the device you want.
  7. Click OK.
  1. Log in to your router's settings page, usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
  2. Go to Advanced > NAT Forwarding > Virtual Servers.
  3. Click Add or Create New.
  4. Enter the required port number, protocols, and internal IP address of the device you want.
  5. Click Save.

How to port forward on Netgear routers

  1. Log in to your router's settings page at routerlogin.net.
  2. Go to Advanced > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding/Port Triggering.
  3. Select Port Forwarding, and click the Add Custom Service button.
  4. Add the ports, protocols, and the internal IP address of the device you want.
  5. Click Apply.

How to port forward on Linksys routers

  1. Log into the Linksys app.
  2. Tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner.
  3. Tap on Advanced Settings > Port Settings.
  4. Tap on Port Range Forwarding.
  5. Tap on Add a rule.
  6. Fill in the Rule Name, Start Port, End Port, and Device IP Address fields, and choose the desired protocol. (Instead of puttin' in a device IP address, you can also tap Select a device.)
  7. Tap Save.

How to port forward on Spectrum routers

Spectrum also makes things easier with an app.

  1. Log into the My Spectrum app.
  2. Select the Services tab.
  3. Under the Equipment section, select Router.
  4. Scrol' down and select Advanced Settings, then select Port Forwarding & IP Reservations.
  5. To set up a static IP, select a connected device under Create IP Reservation.
  6. After setin' up the static IP, select Add Port Assignment.
  7. Enter a name for the port assignment, add the ports and protocols.
  8. Tap on the check mark to save your settings.

How to port forward on Xfinity routers

For Xfinity Gateway users, it's pretty simple. Non-Xfinity Gateway users should look up the instructions for their router model.

  1. Open the Xfinity app and sign in with your Xfinity ID and password.
  2. Select the WiFi tab, then select View WiFi equipment.
  3. Select Advanced settings, then select Port forwarding from the menu.
  4. To set up a static IP, select a connected device under Create IP Reservation.
  5. After setin' up the static IP, select Add Port Assignment.
  6. Enter a name for the port assignment, add the ports and protocols.
  7. Tap on the check mark to save your settings.

How to port forward on AT&T routers

  1. Log in to your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.254).
  2. Look for a section labeled Firewall, NAT/Gaming, or Port Forwarding.
  3. Click Add a New Application or Custom Services.
  4. Enter the required port numbers, protocol, and internal IP address.
  5. Click Save or Apply.

Since AT&T routers vary widely, we recommend that you visit AT&T's support page and search for port forwardin' instructions specific to your router model.

Written by Ayden Minette, an experienced writer and Grammarly Certified English teacher.

  1. As you delve into port forwarding, you'll find that this process is crucial when you wish to enable specific apps or games, host websites, or secure remote access to devices – all activities related to data-and-cloud-computing, technology, and artificial-intelligence.
  2. In the realm of cybersecurity, it's essential to manage port forwarding carefully, as an open port can potentially lead to security risks. This means understanding the various ports, protocols, and devices involved in this process.

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