This wikiHow teaches you how to open a port on a router firewall or firewall on a Windows computer. Most ports in the firewall are closed by default to prevent burglary. Opening ports is a great way to resolve connectivity issues, both between devices and routers, and between programs and devices. However, this action also makes the computer or network vulnerable to attack.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Opening Router Firewall Port
Step 1. Find your router's IP address
The router's IP address is required to access the router's configuration page.
- Windows - Open Start, click Settings gear-shaped, click Network & Internet, click View your network properties, and look at the address next to " Default gateway ".
- Mac - Open Apple menu, choose System Preferences, click Network, choose Advanced, click tab TCP/IP, then check the number to the right of " Router: ".
Step 2. Go to the router settings page
Launch a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address field.
Step 3. Type in the username and password
If you have configured the router's security settings, type in the username and password you use. If you haven't configured it yet, check your router's manual or its online help pages for the router manufacturer's default username and/or password.
If you forget your login information, you may need to reset your router
Step 4. Look for the Port Forwarding section
Each router has a different page name. So, look for the options below (or variations thereof):
- Port Forwarding
- Applications
- Gaming
- Virtual Servers
- Firewall
- Protected Setup
- Maybe you should also look for parts Advanced Settings.
Step 5. Open the desired port
How to open a router will vary although the information required will be the same on all routers.
- Name or Description - Type in the name of the app.
- 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 - Type in the port number here. If you are opening the port as a range, enter the lowest number in the range.
- Private or End - Re-type the port number here. If you're opening the port as a range, enter the highest number in the range.
Step 6. Type in the computer's private IP address
Enter the information in the "Private IP" or "Device IP" fields. You can look up a private IP address on a Windows or Mac computer.
Step 7. Save your settings
Click 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
Method 2 of 3: Opening Windows Firewall Port
Step 1. Go to Start
Do this by clicking the Windows logo in the lower-left corner.
Step 2. Type windows firewall with advanced security into Start
The computer will look for the firewall settings program.
Step 3. Click Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
It's at the top of the Start window.
Step 4. Type in the password when prompted
If you are not logged in as an administrator, enter the administrator password to continue the process.
Step 5. Click Inbound Rules in the upper left of the window
Step 6. Click New Rule
This option is located on the right side of the window.
Step 7. Check the "Port" option, then click Next
By doing so, you can select the port you want to open manually.
Step 8. Select TCP or UDP
Check the box TCP or UDP. Unlike most routers, you must choose UDP or TCP to create the rule.
Check the program guide to make sure you are using the correct protocol
Step 9. Enter the port range
Make sure you have selected the " Specific local ports " option, then type the port you want to open into the field. You can open multiple ports at once by putting a comma to separate them. You can also specify a port range using a dash between the two ends of the range.
For example, you would type 8830 to open port 8830, type 8830, 8824 to open ports 8830 and 8824, or type 8830-8835 to open ports 8830 through 8835
Step 10. Click Next at the bottom of the window
Step 11. Make sure to check "Allow the connection", then click Next
If this option is not checked, click the checkbox before you continue.
Step 12. Make sure you have checked all three boxes on the " Profile " page
The three boxes are "Domain", "Private", and "Public".
Step 13. Click Next at the bottom of the window
Step 14. Name the rule you created, then click Finish
The settings will be saved and the port will be opened.
Method 3 of 3: Allowing Apps on Mac
Step 1. Open Apple menu
Do this by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
Keep in mind that by default, the firewall on Mac computers is disabled. If you haven't enabled the firewall on your Mac, you don't need to do this step
Step 2. Click System Preferences in the Apple drop-down menu
Step 3. Click Security & Privacy
This home icon is located at the top of the System Preferences window.
Step 4. Click Firewall
This tab is at the top of the Security & Privacy window.
Step 5. Open the Locked Firewall menu
Click the lock icon, type in your Mac's administrator password, then click Unlock.
Step 6. Click Firewall Options on the right side of the Firewall page
Step 7. Click +
This option is at the bottom of the window in the middle of the page.
Step 8. Determine which applications are allowed through the firewall
Select the application by clicking on it.
Step 9. Click Add at the bottom of the window
Doing so will add the application to the exception list in the firewall.
Step 10. Make sure "Allow incoming connections" appears next to the application name
If this text doesn't appear to the right of the app's name, hold down the Control key, then click the name of the app. Next, click Allow incoming connections to tick it.
Step 11. Click OK
The settings you make will be saved and the selected application will be allowed through the firewall.
