In this article, we will tell you how to open a specific port on a router in order to grant network access to a specific program. If you open specific ports on the router, games, torrent clients, servers and other programs that are denied access to these ports by default can connect to the Internet. Be aware that if you open ports, the security of your system will be drastically reduced.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: How to Open the Router Configuration Page in Windows
Step 1. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet
To open the configuration page of a router, you need to find out its address and connect to it, which requires an active Internet connection. Step 2. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen. Step 3. Click "Options"
It's a gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start menu. A window with parameters will open. Step 4. Click on "Network and Internet"
It's a globe-shaped icon in the middle of the window. Step 5. Click View Network Settings.
It's a link 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
You will find it to the right of "Name:" on this page. Step 7. Find the line "Default gateway".
It's at the bottom of the Wi-Fi section. Step 8. Find the address of the default gateway.
It is located on the right in the line "Default gateway" - this address is the address of the router.
Step 9. Open the router's configuration page
In the address bar of your web browser, enter the default gateway address, then press ↵ Enter.
For example, if the default gateway address is 192.168.1.1, enter 192.168.1.1 in your browser's address bar
Step 10. Enter your username and password
Skip this step if you do not need to enter these credentials. If you changed your username and password (for example, when you first set up your router), enter them. If not, enter the default username and password:
- for a Linksys router, enter admin in the username and password text boxes;
- for a Netgear router, enter admin in the username text box, and then enter password in the password text box;
- To find out what the default username and password is, see your router's manual.
- If you forget your credentials, you will have to reset your router.
- The username and password for the router can be found on a sticker on the router's case.
Step 11. Wait for the router's configuration page to open
Now you can set up port forwarding.
Part 2 of 3: How to Open Router Configuration Page in Mac OS X
Step 1. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet
To open the configuration page of a router, you need to find out its address and connect to it, which requires an active Internet connection. Step 2. Open the Apple menu
Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen. Step 3. Click System Preferences.
This option is on the menu. The System Preferences window will open. Step 4. Click on Network.
You will find this globe-shaped icon in the System Preferences window. The "Network" window will open. Step 5. Click Advanced.
It's in the lower-right side of the window. A pop-up window will appear. Step 6. Click the TCP / IP tab.
It's at the top of the pop-up window. Step 7. Find the address in the "Router" line.
This address is the address of the router. Step 8. Open the router's configuration page.
In the address bar of your web browser, enter the default gateway address, then press ⏎ Return.
For example, if the default gateway address is 192.168.1.1, enter 192.168.1.1 in your browser's address bar
Step 9. Enter your username and password
Skip this step if you do not need to enter these credentials. If you changed your username and password (for example, when you first set up your router), enter them. If not, enter the default username and password:
- for a Linksys router, enter admin in the username and password text boxes;
- for a Netgear router, enter admin in the username text box, and then enter password in the password text box;
- To find out what the default username and password is, see your router's manual.
- If you forget your credentials, you will have to reset your router.
- The username and password for the router can be found on a sticker on the router's case.
Step 10. Wait for the router's configuration page to open
Now you can set up port forwarding.
Part 3 of 3: How to Set Up Port Forwarding
Step 1. Explore the interface of the router configuration page
The interface on this page depends on your router model, so you will have to find the section with port forwarding options. The easiest way to find this section is to read the instructions (online or on paper) for the router.
- For example, the section with port forwarding options on a Linksys router is called linksys port forwarding; in this section you need to find your router model.
- Don't give up if you don't see the option or section you want. For example, if you cannot find the “Advanced” option on the page, keep searching.
Step 2. Look for the Port Forwarding section
The configuration page interfaces will vary slightly, but the forwarding options can be found in one of the following sections: Port Forwarding, Gaming, Applications, Virtual Servers, Protected Setup, Firewall.
- Any section with the word "Port" should be opened and viewed.
- If you cannot find any of these sections, open the Advanced Settings section and look for the Port Forwarding subsection.
Step 3. Find the default port forwarding settings
Many routers have preset menus for popular programs. To open ports for such a program, select it from the Service Name, Application, or similar menu, and then click Save or similar button.
For example, "Minecraft" is a popular program for which users are forwarding ports, so choose "Minecraft" from the menu
Step 4. Create a port forwarding rule
If the program you need is not in the list of popular programs, create a new port forwarding rule. Your steps will depend on your router model, but in most cases you will need to enter the following information:
- Name or Description: Enter the name of the service / program here (for example, enter “Minecraft”). This is not necessary, but it will help you avoid confusion with the various port forwarding rules.
- Type or Service Type: Select TCP, UDP or TCP / UDP here. If you are unsure of which to choose, click on “TCP / UDP” or “Both”.
- Inbound or Start: Enter the first port number here. But first, find out if you can open that port for another program.
- Private or End: Enter the second port number here. If you only want to open one port, enter the number you entered in the previous text box. If you want to open a series of ports, in this text box enter the number of the last (in the row) port (for example, if you enter “23” in the first text box and enter “33” in the second, ports 23 through 33 will be opened).
Step 5. Enter the private IP address of the computer
This must be done in the “Private IP” text box or “Device IP”. You can find the IP address on a Windows computer and Mac OS X.
Depending on the router model, this text box may already be populated with the computer's IP address. If so, skip this step
Step 6. Save your changes
Click on “Save” or “Apply”. If necessary, restart the router for the changes to take effect.
You may need to check the box next to “Enabled” or “On”; this option is next to the line with the port number
Advice
- Make sure to enter the correct device addresses and port numbers. If you enter the wrong number, the program will not be able to connect to the Internet.
- Some routers (like the D-Link) include a trigger port function that allows games to connect to the Internet without having to change their IP address. This feature monitors the game's outbound connections and automatically changes the address of a specific port forwarding rule to the game's IP address. In most cases, this feature must be manually enabled on the router's configuration page.
- Disable third-party firewall on your computer if you encounter problems. The Norton Internet Security firewall and similar firewalls are quite moody, so we recommend that you turn on the Windows or Mac OS X firewall.
Warnings
- We recommend that you do not open all ports on your router to prevent hackers from gaining access to your computer.
- If your router uses the default password, we recommend that you change that password. The default password is a security risk for the system.
- Turn on antivirus, anti-malware, and firewall software when making changes to the router configuration.