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Router Configuration Tools


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 3. How To Forward a Port


HOW TO FORWARD A PORT

Port Forward Staff

July 18, 2017 (Last Updated: November 14, 2022) | Reading Time: 7 minutes

A port forward is a way of making a computer on your home or business network
accessible to computers on the internet, even though they are behind a router or
firewall. It is commonly used in gaming, security cameras, home automation, and
the Internet of Things (IoT).

Port forwards are setup in your router. A forwarded port is also known as open.
After you have forwarded a port you have an open port.

The easiest way to forward a port is to use the tools in our Network Utilities
software.

> Port forwarding with Network Utilities:
> 
>  1. Run Router Detector.
>  2. Create a permanent IP address either with DHCP reservations or use Static
>     IP Setter.
>  3. Run PFConfig which logs into your router and configures port forwards
>     automatically.
>  4. Test that your ports are forwarded correctly with Port Checker.
> 
> Get Started Now




If you are trying to change your NAT Type be sure to read our NAT Types Defined
guide. This is the most comprehensive definition of gaming console NAT Types on
the internet. Most people get NAT Type Open by using Network Utilities.


UNDERSTANDING PORT FORWARDING

What is port forwarding? Port forwarding is a way of allowing people from the
internet to connect to you. A port forward puts a device outside of your router,
as if it was directly connected to the internet. This is needed for security
cameras, torrenting, and optimal gaming experience.

Port forwarding directs your router to send any incoming data from the internet
to a specified device on your network. A port forward maps data that is bound to
a designated port number to the device or app that you want it to go to. After
forwarding a port in your router, incoming data on that port is sent to the
destination device that you have chosen.


> WHAT IS A PORT?
> 
> In the context of port forwarding, a port has nothing to do with the physical
> ports on the back of your router. Any device on your network can receive a
> port forward no matter which physical port it is plugged into, or even over
> WiFi.
> 
> A port in port forwarding is simply a number, much like a phone number.

You might be asking if it is safe to forward ports on your router. The answer is
yes as long as you follow a few simple rules. Never forward ports to a PC that
does not have a firewall running. Always make sure that you understand why you
are forwarding a port. To learn more about the safety of port forwarding, visit
Is Port Forwarding Safe?

Port forwarding is a way to make a device on your network accessible from the
internet.


PORT FORWARDING WITH NETWORK UTILITIES

Step 1: Run the Router Detector tool to locate your router on your network and
ensure that you only have one router.

Step 2: Next, create a permanent IP address for the device that you want to
forward ports to. You can either use DHCP reservations in your router or set a
static IP address in the device. The Static IP Setter ensures that your PC has a
static IP address. This is helpful in diagnosing open port issues because some
routers refuse to forward a port to a dynamic IP address.

Step 3: The next step is to use PFConfig to forward ports in your router.
PFConfig logs into your router and configures it automatically.

Step 4: After you have set up port forwarding, it can be useful to check if your
ports are forwarded correctly. In the case of forwarding ports to a gaming
console or security camera, it is generally easiest to see if you can connect to
them.

If you are forwarding ports to a PC you can use our Port Checker tool to test if
your ports are open. Our Port Checker tool will request an incoming connection
from our servers and verify that data is able to make it from our server to your
computer. This type of port check guarantees that you have forwarded your ports
correctly, opened your firewall as required, and are able to access your network
from the internet.

> Our Port Checker is the only port checker that can test both TCP and UDP ports
> and give guaranteed results. You can find the Port Checker tool in our Network
> Utilities software.

Other types of port checks done through a web browser are not as thorough and
can only report if the router is rejecting incoming requests, and only work with
the TCP protocol.


PORT FORWARDING HELP

If you are new to port forwarding please read our Ultimate Guide To Port
Forwarding.

We have detailed port forwarding instructions customized for every router. To
get started, visit our List of Routers and pick your router from the list. Then
follow the steps in the guide and you should have an open port.

To learn how to log in to your router visit our Router Login guide.

Visit our Networking Help Center to find the answers to your port forwarding and
networking questions.


PORT FORWARDING GUIDES

For detailed instructions on how to set up port forwarding in your specific
router, visit our List of Routers. Choose your router from the list and then
follow the steps in the guide to set up port forwarding.

You can also forward ports automatically with Network Utilities.

Port Forwarding IoT Devices for Remote Access and Viewing

To access your Internet of Things devices from outside your network you need to
set up a port forward.

More Info

Access Your Media Server From Anywhere with Port Forwarding

Our detailed guides show you how to port forward your media server so that you
can access your media over the internet.

More Info

Port Forwarding NAS for Remote Access

In order to access your Network Attached Storage from outside your network you
need to set up a port forward.

More Info

Port Forwarding to a Game Server

Port forwarding for hosting an online game server allows other players to
connect to your server. Our guides show you how to forward ports in your router
to game servers.

More Info


PORT FORWARDING GAMES

Port forwarding is needed for some games in order to improve your network
connection. For example, if you want to be the lobby host in Call of Duty you
will need to set up port forwarding. Port forwarding can also reduce lag and
increase your K/D ratio since it is more likely that your signal gets through
before your opponents' that may not be forwarding ports.

Port Forward Network Utilities is a suite of software tools to help get your
ports forwarded. Port forwarding can be a confusing process, with Network
Utilities it can't get any easier!

> NETWORK UTILITIES HELPS YOU:
> 
>  * Save time by letting our software forward ports for you.
>  * Forward ports right now, automatically.
>  * Manage port forwards and optimize your router.
>  * Turn forwarded ports on or off with the click of a button.
>  * Remove old forwards and create new ones.
>  * Get a faster, more reliable connection.
> 
> Get Started Now

The easiest way to forward a port is to use our Network Utilities software.

To manually set up port forwarding for specific games and applications, you can
work through the steps of our detailed guides.

Start by choosing the game or application that you want to forward ports for.
Next, choose your router from the list of manufacturers and then follow the
steps in the guide to set up port forwarding.


POPULAR GAMES

Here are port forwarding guides for some popular games. If you don't see the
game that you are looking for visit our port list.

>  * How to Port Forward Destiny 2
>  * Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands Connection Issues
>  * How To Port Forward Minecraft
>  * How To Port Forward Halo: The Master Chief Collection
>  * How To Port Forward Smite
>  * How To Port Forward Star Citizen
>  * How To Port Forward Street Fighter V
>  * How To Port Forward World of Tanks
>  * Mass Effect: Andromeda
>  * NAT Type Open in Overwatch
>  * Port Forward Dawn of War III
>  * Port Forward For Honor
>  * Port Forward Tekken 7
>  * Sniper Elite 4 Multiplayer
>  * Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3
>  * Open Ports on Your Router for Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
>  * Splatoon 2
>  * Forward Ports on Your Router for Monster Hunter: World
>  * How To Open Ports in Your Router for Fortnite
>  * Forwarding Ports in Your Router for Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017)

If you are trying to improve your network connection for a better gaming
experience check out our NAT Types Defined article.

Port Forwarding and Hosting a Minecraft Server

This guide provides detailed instructions on how to host a Minecraft game server
including complete walkthroughs on how to port forward for Minecraft.

More Info

How to Open a Port in Your Router for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

You can help improve connections and connect with others in Call of Duty: Modern
Warfare II more easily by forwarding some ports.

More Info

Port Forwarding for MultiVersus

You can help improve your online connections in MultiVersus by forwarding some
ports for it in your router.

More Info

Open Ports on Your Router for Grand Theft Auto Online

Forwarding some ports for GTA Online in your router can help improve your
connections and make it easier to play with others.

More Info

How To Open Ports in Your Router for Fortnite

Want a better experience in Fortnite? Setup a port forward in 5 minutes and have
a lag free experience.

More Info

How To Open Ports in Your Router for Your Dedicated V Rising Server

Follow these instructions to set up port forwarding in your router for your
dedicated V Rising Server.

More Info

Forwarding Ports in Your Router for Halo Infinite

Forwarding ports for Halo Infinite can help improve your online connections and
make connecting with others easier.

More Info

How to Forward Ports to a Playstation 5

A comprehensive guide on how to forward ports on a Playstation 5 console.

More Info


SET A STATIC IP

When you forward a port you are making a setting in your router that points at
an IP address on your network. Typically IP addresses are dynamic, which means
they change often. When an IP address that is the target of a port forward
changes, that port forward breaks. It is important to set a permanent IP address
before configuring a port forward.

There are two ways to set a permanent IP address; create a static IP address in
the PC (or device that you are forwarding ports to) or configure a DHCP
reservation for the device in your router.

> To quickly set a static IP on your PC you can use the free Static IP Setter,
> which is one of the tools in Network Utilities.

To set a static IP in the device that you are creating a port forward for, log
in to the target device, find the network settings, and create a static IP
address. Not all routers support DHCP reservations, so this may be your only
option.

We have many static IP address guides to help you.

 * Static IP on the Xbox One
 * Static IP on the PS4
 * More Static IP guides

You may need to set up your firewall as part of setting up a port forward.


RECENT GAMES

These games have recently been added to our port forwarding guides.

>  * How to Open a Port in Your Router for Content Warning
>  * Opening Ports for DayZ using Your Router
>  * Port Forwarding on Your Router for Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection
>  * How to Open a Port in Your Router for Gang Beasts
>  * Port Forwarding for Timemelters
>  * How To Port Forward Dragon Age: Inquisition
>  * How To Port Forward Dungeon Defenders II
>  * How To Port Forward Dying Light
>  * Forwarding Ports for EA Sports UFC on Your Router.
>  * How to Port Forward Elite: Dangerous
>  * How to Port Forward Halo 5: Guardians
>  * How To Port Forward Hearthstone
>  * How To Port Forward Journey
>  * How to Port Forward Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
>  * How To Port Forward Metal Slug 3
>  * How To Port Forward Need for Speed (2015)
>  * How To Port Forward Orcs Must Die! 2
>  * How To Port Forward Resident Evil 5
>  * How To Port Forward Resident Evil 6
>  * How To Port Forward Saints Row IV

List of more games...

For more information about your router visit SetupRouter.com.

For help with port forwarding visit our Networking Help Center.

To get started with port forwarding, visit our router guides.


MORE FROM PORTFORWARD

Forward Ports on Your Router for Palworld

If you want to run your own Palworld server you'll need to forward some ports in
your router so others can connect to it.

More Info

How to Forward Ports in Your Router for Madden NFL 22

You can connect with more players in Madden NFL 22 and help improve connections
by forwarding some ports.

More Info

Port Forward Tekken 7

Forward some ports in your router for Tekken 7 to connect with more players and
help improve your connections with them.

More Info

Open Ports on Your Router for Grand Theft Auto Online

Forwarding some ports for GTA Online in your router can help improve your
connections and make it easier to play with others.

More Info

Opening Ports for Pokémon Scarlet using Your Router

You can help improve your online connections in Pokémon Scarlet by forwarding
some ports in your router.

More Info

Port Forwarding and Hosting a Minecraft Server

This guide provides detailed instructions on how to host a Minecraft game server
including complete walkthroughs on how to port forward for Minecraft.

More Info

How to Forward Ports in Your Router for Sniper Elite 5

Forwarding some ports in your router for Sniper Elite 5 can help improve your
online multiplayer connections.

More Info

How to Open a Port in Your Router for The Cycle: Frontier

You can help improve your online connections and overall experience in The
Cycle: Frontier by forwarding some ports in your router.

More Info

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