Master Port Forwarding: A Step-by-Step Guide to Opening Router Ports 

For some video games and programs to function correctly, you need to open specific ports on your router. While some ports are open by default, most remain closed and require manual configuration. If your online games, file server, or other networking applications aren't working, access your router to open the required ports. 

How Do You Set Up Port Forwarding?

Traffic passes through your router via ports. Each port acts like a dedicated pipe for a specific kind of traffic. Opening a port on your router allows a particular data type to move through it. 

Port forwarding involves opening a port and directing those requests to a specific device on your network. It’s like connecting a pipe from the router to the device needing the port, ensuring a direct data flow. 

For instance, FTP servers use port 21 for incoming connections. If you have an FTP server but nobody outside your network can access it, open port 21 on your router and forward it to your server computer. This creates a dedicated path for file transfers from the server, through the router, to the FTP client.

The same process applies to other scenarios, such as video games requiring internet communication with other players, torrent clients needing specific ports open for file uploads, and instant messaging apps that use designated ports to send and receive messages. 

Every networking application needs a port to function. If a program isn't working despite correct settings, open the necessary port on your router and forward requests to the appropriate device, such as a computer, printer, or game console. 

Port range forwarding is similar to port forwarding but covers an entire range of ports. For example, if a game uses ports 3478 to 3480, you can forward the entire range to the computer running the game, rather than configuring each port separately. 

Give the Device a Static IP Address

The device benefiting from port forwarding needs a static IP address, preventing the need to update port forwarding settings whenever its IP address changes. 

If your computer runs torrent software, assign it a static IP address. Similarly, a gaming console using specific port ranges also requires a static IP. 

You can set a static IP address from both the router and the computer, but it's easier to configure directly on your computer. 

Use Your Computer to Set Up a Static IP Address

To configure a Windows computer with a static IP address, first determine its current IP address. 

1. Open Command Prompt on the computer.

2. Type this command, then select Enter:

    ipconfig /all
   

3. Record the following: IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Servers.

Now, you can use that information to set up the static IP address.

1. Open the Run dialog box with the WIN+R keyboard shortcut, enter ncpa.cpl, and select OK to open Network Connections.

2. Right-click or tap-and-hold the connection that has the same name as the one you identified in Command Prompt. For example, Ethernet0.

3. Select Properties from the menu.

4. Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the list, then select Properties.

5. Select Use the following IP address.

6. Input the details noted from Command Prompt: IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. 

7. Choose OK when you're done.

You can also set up a Mac to use a static IP address, as well as Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.

Use Your Router to Set Up a Static IP Address

Alternatively, use your router to set up a static IP address, especially for non-computer devices like a gaming console or printer needing a consistent address. 

1. Access the router as admin.

2. Find the Client List, DHCP Pool, DHCP Reservation, or a similar section. This lists the devices connected to the router, displaying their IP addresses and names. 

3. Find an option to reserve an IP address for a specific device, ensuring the router consistently assigns it. You may need to select the IP address from a list or click Add or Reserve. 

The above steps are generic since static IP address assignment is different for each router, printer, and gaming device. Instructions differ if you need to reserve IP addresses for NETGEAR routers, edit DHCP settings on Google devices, or configure DHCP reservation on Linksys routers.

Set Up Port Forwarding

With the device's IP address configured not to change, access your router to set up the port forwarding settings.

1. Log in to the router as admin. You need to know the router's IP address, username, and password.

2. Find the port forwarding settings. Names vary by router—look for Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, Applications & Gaming, or Port Range Forwarding. These options might be located under categories like Network, Wireless, or Advanced.

3. Enter the port number or range you want to forward. For a single port, input the same number in both the Internal and External boxes. For port ranges, fill in the Start and End boxes. 

   Most games and programs specify the required ports. If unsure, visit PortForward.com for a list of common ports. 

4. Choose a protocol, either TCP or UDP ports. Choose both, if needed. This information should be available from the program or game that explains the port number.

5. Type the static IP address you chose.

   If asked, name the port trigger anything that makes sense to you. If it's for an FTP program, call it FTP. Call it Medal of Honor if you need the port open for that game.

6. Enable the port forwarding rule with an Enable or On option. 

Here's an example of what it looks like to forward ports on a Linksys WRT610N:

Some routers include a port forward setup wizard for easier configuration. The router may provide a list of devices with static IP addresses and guide you in selecting protocols and port numbers. 

More port forwarding instructions:

• D-Link port forwarding
• Belkin port forwarding
• Google Nest Wi-Fi or Google Wi-Fi port forwarding

More on Open Ports

If port forwarding doesn’t enable a program or game on your computer, check whether a firewall is blocking the port. The port must be open on both the router and computer for the application to function.

Opening a port on your router allows traffic flow in and out. Use network scanning tools or websites to see open ports from the outside. 

Here are some reasons to check for open ports:

• To avoid getting into the router to check.
• To make sure the port opened correctly when a program or game isn't working.
• To make sure a port you closed is actually closed.

Several places offer a free open port checker. PortChecker.co and NetworkAppers have online port checkers that scan a network from the outside. Another option is to download Advanced Port Scanner or FreePortScanner to scan devices within your private network.

You can only forward one instance of a port at a time. For instance, if you forward port 3389 (used for Remote Desktop) to a computer with the IP address 192.168.1.115, the router cannot forward port 3389 to another address like 192.168.1.120. 

In cases like this, the only solution, if possible, is to change the port the program uses. This may be possible from the software settings or through a registry hack. In the RDP example, if you edit the Windows Registry on the 192.168.1.120 computer to force Remote Desktop to use a different port like 3390, you could set up a new port forward for that port and use Remote Desktop on two computers within the same network.