This wikiHow teaches you how to open a specific port on your router so that the desired application can access the network. By opening a specific port, games, BitTorrent clients, servers, and other applications can run through the security of a router that usually requires permission to connect to that port. Keep in mind that opening ports also makes the network vulnerable to attack.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Accessing the Router on Windows 10
Step 1. Make sure you are connected to the Internet
In order to access the router's page, you must be connected to the internet. You need an internet connection to find the correct address and to connect to the router.
Step 2. Go to Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower-left corner.
Step 3. Open Settings
Click the gear icon at the bottom left of the Start window. The Settings window will open.
Step 4. Click Network & Internet
This globe-shaped option is in the middle of the Settings window.
Step 5. Click View your network properties
This link is at the bottom of the window.
You may have to scroll down to find this link
Step 6. Scroll down to the “Wi-Fi” section
This " Wi-Fi " heading is to the right of one of the " Name: " headings on this page.
Step 7. Look for the "Default gateway" heading
This option is under " Wi-Fi ".
Step 8. Check the default gateway number
The number to the right of the " Default gateway " heading is your router's address.
The number will be written in the form of an IP address, and will start with 192.168
Step 9. Go to the router page
Launch a web browser, then type the default gateway number into the address field and press Enter key.
For example, if the default gateway number reads "192.168.1.1", you should type 192.168.1.1 in the address field
Step 10. Type in the username and password
Skip this step if you are not prompted for a username or password. If you have set any security settings on the router (eg when you first installed the router), enter the username and password you used at that time. If you haven't already set one up, some commonly used default login credentials include:
- Linksys router - Type admin as username and password.
- Netgear Router - Type admin as the username and password for the password.
- Check the router's manual to make sure the default username and password are correct.
- If you forget your login information, you may need to reset your router.
- You can also find the router's username and password on a sticker affixed to the router.
Step 11. Wait for the router settings page to load
Once the router's page has been opened, you can continue with the port forwarding process.
Part 2 of 3: Accessing the Router on a Mac Komputer
Step 1. Make sure you are connected to the Internet
In order to access the router's page, you must be connected to the internet. You need an internet connection to find the correct address and to connect to the router.
Step 2. Open Apple menu
Do this by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click System Preferences… in the drop-down menu
The System Preferences window will open.
Step 4. Click Network
This globe-shaped icon is in the System Preferences window. The Network window will open.
Step 5. Click Advanced… which is at the bottom right of the window
A pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 6. Click TCP/IP
It's a tab at the top of the pop-up window.
Step 7. Check the number next to the "Router" heading
The number listed to the right of " Router: " is the address of your router.
The number will be written in the form of an IP address, and will start with 192.168
Step 8. Go to the router page
Launch a web browser, then type the default gateway number into the address field and press Return key.
For example, if the default gateway number reads "192.168.1.1", you should type 192.168.1.1 in the address field
Step 9. Type in the username and password
Skip this step if you are not prompted for a username or password. If you have set security settings on the router (eg when you first installed the router), enter the username and password you used at that time. If you haven't done so before, some commonly used default login credentials include:
- Linksys router - Type admin as username and password.
- Netgear Router - Type admin as the username and password for the password.
- Check the router's manual to make sure the default username and password are correct.
- If you forget your login information, you may need to reset your router.
- You can also find the router's username and password on a sticker affixed to the router.
Step 10. Wait for the router settings page to load
Once the router's page has been opened, you can continue with the port forwarding process.
Part 3 of 3: Forwarding the Port
Step 1. Understand your router's interface
Each router will display a different page so you will have to browse the router pages for port forwarding segments. Usually, the easiest way to find this segment is to check your router's manual or its online help pages.
- For example, if you want to find the port forwarding segment on a Linksys router, do a search with the keyword linksys port forwarding and look up the router model number from there.
- Be prepared to continue browsing as you search for router page items. For example, if you can't find "Advanced" on your router's page, don't dwell on it. Keep searching.
Step 2. Look for the Port Forwarding section
Each router will display a slightly different page, and some commonly used menu names in the settings section containing Port Forwarding include "Port Forwarding", "Applications", "Gaming", "Virtual Servers", "Firewall", and "Protected". Setup".
- Pay attention to any names that contain the word "Port".
- If you can't find any of the names listed above, try opening "Advanced Settings" and looking for the Port Forwarding subsection.
Step 3. Look for the port forwarding preset
Many routers provide drop-down menus with pre-set options for popular applications. If you want to open a port for one of these applications, select it from the " Service Name " or " Application " (or similar) drop-down menu, then save your changes by clicking Save (or other similar button).
For example, Minecraft is a program that people commonly use to forward ports. So, maybe settings Minecraft will be listed here.
Step 4. Create your own entry
If the program you want to add is not in the list, create your own port forwarding entry. Each router has a different way of doing this, although the information that must be entered will be the same on each router:
- Name or Description - Type in the name of the service (eg "Minecraft"). While usually not necessary, this can help you keep track of various port forwarding rules.
- Type or Service Type - This can be UDP, TCP, or both. If you don't know what to choose, click Both or TCP/UDP.
- Inbound or Start - This is the field to place the first port number. You should research the selected port number to make sure that it is not already in use by a specific application.
- Private or End - This is the field for placing the second port number. If you only want to open one port, type the same port number here. However, if you want to open a port within a specific range, type the port number at the end of the range into this text field (for example, typing "23" in the first column and "33" in the second column will open ports 23 through 33).
Step 5. Type in the computer's private IP address
Enter the address in the "Private IP" or "Device IP" field. You can look up a private IP address on a Windows or Mac computer.
Depending on the router you are using, this text field may already be filled with the IP address of your computer. Skip this step if the fields are already filled
Step 6. Save your settings
Do this by clicking Save or Apply. When prompted, you'll also need to restart your router for the changes to take effect.
You may also need to check the " Enabled " or " On " box next to the forwarded port line
Tips
- Make sure you have typed all the numbers correctly. An incorrect port prevents the program from functioning properly. So, double-check everything.
- Some routers (eg D-Link) have a "trigger port" feature that allows multiple games to be run without having to change the IP address. This feature works by monitoring the game's outgoing connections and automatically setting a custom port forwarding rule to the game's IP address. The port trigger feature usually has to be manually enabled on the router's home page.
- If there is a problem, turn off the additional firewall. Firewalls from Norton Internet Security and other similar products can cause problems. You must use the Windows or Mac's built-in firewall.
Warning
- Do not open all ports on the router. This action allows hackers to access the computer.
- If the router has a default password, create a new one. The router's default password is very risky for people to hack.
- Always use antivirus, antiadware, antispyware, and firewall protection programs when you change router settings.