Open Ports for Games & Servers
Open incoming network ports to fix strict NAT issues on gaming consoles and allow server hosting.
By default, your router NAT firewall blocks all unsolicited inbound connection requests from the public internet to protect your devices. However, hosting a game server, connecting to voice chat, or resolving NAT Type 3 (Strict) on PlayStation / Xbox consoles requires directing specific incoming traffic ports to your internal device IP.
1 Step-by-Step Port Forwarding Setup
Under LAN ➔ DHCP Server ➔ Address Reservation, bind your gaming console or PC MAC address to a permanent local IP (e.g. 192.168.1.50).
In advanced settings, locate the Port Forwarding, NAT Forwarding, or Virtual Server tab.
Input the target application ports, select protocol (TCP, UDP, or BOTH), and set the internal IP address to your reserved device address.
2 Common Gaming & Service Port Reference
| Platform / Service | Protocol | Port Numbers | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Network (PSN) | TCP / UDP | TCP: 80, 443, 3478-3480 | UDP: 3478-3479 | Resolves NAT Type 2 (Moderate) / Type 1 (Open). |
| Xbox Network | UDP / TCP | UDP: 88, 500, 3544, 4500 | TCP: 3074 | Eliminates multiplayer voice and party lobby drops. |
| Minecraft Server | TCP / UDP | 25565 | Allows friends to join your self-hosted world over the web. |