How to Open a Port on Your Router

Since all routers are different, the best method is to find your router's model number and do an internet search for How to open a port on [your router model]. That being said, these are the basic steps to open a port on any router.

  1. Find your router's login username and password. These are usually printed on a label somewhere on the router. If not, locate your router's model number and do an internet search for [your router model] default password. If the password has been changed, you may have to do a factory reset (typically by inserting a paperclip in a small hole on the router and holding it for 30 seconds while the router powers on)
  2. Next, find your Router's IP address.
      Windows users:
      1. Hold down the Windows key and Press 'R' to open the "Run" box.
      2. In the Run box, type cmd and press Enter. A black command line window will open.
      3. In this window, type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Scroll up until you see the numbers 192.168. on the right side.
      4. Write down the following information from this section:
        Physical Address(This is your PC's MAC address)
        IPv4 Address(This is your PC's IP address)
        Default Gateway(This is your Router's IP address)
      Mac users:
      1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu and click Network.
      2. Select your network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) on the left, then click Advanced in the lower right.
      3. Your MAC address will be at the bottom of the Wi-Fi or Hardware tab. Your PC and Router's IP addresses are on the TCP/IP tab.
  3. Open a web browser, type your Router's IP address into the address bar and press Enter. This should open your Router's login page.
  4. Login with the username and password from Step 1.
  5. Using the table below, find your router's Port Forwarding section.
    (If you can't find it, do an internet search for How to open a port on [your router model].)
    Table 1
    RouterPort Forwarding Section
    Arris [Advanced > Forwarding] or [Firewall > NAT/Gaming > Custom Service]
    Asus Advanced Settings > WAN > Port Forwarding List
    AT&T Settings > Firewall > Applications, NAT/Gaming > Pinholes and DMZ
    Belkin Firewall > Virtual Servers
    D-Link Advanced > Port Forwarding > Check box to Enable
    Dovado LAN > Port Forwarding
    DrayTek NAT > Port Redirection > Click first empty line number
    Eero Eero App > Menu > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Reservations & Port Forwarding > Add a Reservation > (Select your Device) > Open a Port
    Google Google Home/Wifi App > Wifi > Settings > Advanced Networking > Port management > Create new port management rules > IPv4
    Linksys Applications & Gaming > Port Range Forwarding
    Netgear Advanced > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding / Port Triggering
    TP-Link [Forwarding > Virtual Servers] or [Advanced > NAT Forwarding > Port Forwarding]
    Verizon FIOS Firewall > Port Forwarding > Application To Forward > Custom Ports > Advanced
  6. Once at the Port Forwarding section, add a new custom port mapping:
    • Enter your PC's IP address
    • Enter the Port number of the software you want to access.
      (Enter the same number in all Port boxes)
    • If asked to select a Protocol, choose TCP and UDP (Both)
    • Give a name to this port mapping ("Laptop Remote Access", for example)
    • Enable it, if necessary
    • Click Apply
  7. To be sure this continues working after you disconnect from the network, you'll want to assign your PC a permanent IP Address in the router. To do this, find the section for IP Reservation (see table below)
    Table 2
    RouterIP Reservation Section
    Arris [LAN Setup > Fixed DHCP Clients or Reserved IP Client] or [Basic > DHCP > Reserve IP Address]
    Asus LAN > DHCP Server > Enable Manual Assignment = Yes
    AT&T Home Network > IP Allocation > Allocate
    Belkin (Not Supported / Automatic)
    D-Link Setup > Network Settings > Add DHCP Reservation > Enable
    Dovado LAN > DHCP > Static Address Assignment
    DrayTek LAN > Bind IP to MAC > Enable
    Eero Eero App > Menu > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Reservations & Port Forwarding > Add a Reservation > (Select your Device) > IP Address
    Google Google Home/Wifi App > Wifi > Settings > Advanced Networking > DHCP IP reservations
    Linksys [Network Setup > Enable DHCP Server > DHCP Reservation] or [Configuration > Connectivity > Local Network > (Find Device) > Address Assignment > Choose an Address]
    Netgear ADVANCED > (Setup) > LAN Setup > Address Reservation
    TP-Link [DHCP > Address Reservation] or [Advanced > Network > DHCP Server > Address Reservation]
    Verizon FIOS Advanced > Routing > IP Address Distribution > Connection list > (Find Device) > Edit > Check Static Lease Type
  8. Once at the IP Reservation section:
    • Enter your PC's MAC address
      (or select your PC from the list of connected devices, if available)
    • Type in your PC's IP Address
    • Click Apply

*Note:If you have more than one router between your PC and the internet, make sure the router(s) closest to the internet are set to Bridge Mode (see your router's instructions for how to do this).



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