How to Open Your Router's Ports for Optimum Xbox Live Performance
If you use a router and Xbox Live, you may need to open ports for a better connection, even if your NAT tests as Open. Some issues that this will fix:
1. Friends list Voice chat
2. Joining friends list games
3. Joining some games such as Call of Duty 3(could not connect to all players error), or host in some games such as Gears of War.
For more information about this issue and an explaination of each method, click here or scroll down further on this page. If you want to jump right into it, I recomend trying the triggering method. I suggest backing up your router's settings after you make these changes if it works for you, and maybe before you start in case you mess something up. Most routers should have that option in the interface.
Jan 27th, 2008 UPDATE: With the release of NXE for the 360, there are additional ports to open:
* TCP 80 (I wouldn't forward this port to your 360 because your PC and any other device that goes on the internet needs this port too)
* UDP 53
* TCP 53
In addition to the original ports:
* UDP 88
* UDP 3074
* TCP 3074
Choose your router
If the following changes dont' fix your problem, please see the "Additional Tweaks" section below.
Before you continue you might want to consider reseting your Router with your Xbox turned off. You don't have to do this, but resetting the router will give you a fresh start and clear any previous rules and routing that UPNP is trying to do for you. I suggest resetting your router, then set up your security if you have any special measures that you take, and set up your WiFi security if you have a WiFi router.
A firmware upgrade might be a good thing to do too. But beware, loading the wrong firmware on your router could "brick" your router. (brick, as in a useless block of plasic).
If you don't want to reset your router or upgrade your firmware, you can still go ahead and try the following suggestions. If you continue to have problems or problems develop in the future just remember that there's always more things to try before you go and spend money on more hardware. Your router manufacturer may have some good information on thier website too. Check the forums and always get your manuals and downloads only from your manufacturers websites.
NOTE: Some routers do not let you use Static IP addresses and have the DHCP enabled (the DHCP on your router is what gives out IP addresses). So to fix that problem there are basically two ways to go. THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. Do this only if you'e still getting a "strict" or "Moderate" Xbox Live test, or if you're still not able to connect to games even with an "Open" test result:
1. (preferred) You can disable the DHCP and then assign static IP addresses to all the devices on your network, or your router may let you assign the IP based on your MAC address. This is often called Reserving and IP address. Some routers don't allow this, and unfortunately those are often the routers that also don't allow you to use a static IP address.
2. You can leave your 360's IP address as automatic. But be careful if you are going to use DMZ, because your PC and your 360 can easily switch IP addresses. This isn't a big deal if you using forwarding, but it can be bad for your PC if you're using DMZ. So if you do this method, check every so often that your 360 gets the same IP address, especially after long periods of time of inactivity.
To open your ports:
Double NAT
If opening the ports on your router doesn't fix the problem, than you may want to look at your modem. Your modem may be creating an additional NAT. So you can do one of two things: Either turn your router into a swtich or bridge your modem.
1. Turn router into a swtich
or
2. Bridge your modem
Turn your router into a switch:
First you want to make sure that your modem is going to assign IP addresses. Plug a PC or your 360 directly into the modem. You may have to powercycle the modem, maybe even a few times. Then turn on your 360 or PC.
Check the IP address that the modem gives you. On your PC go to start>>run then type CMD, then type ipconfig.
If the IP address is something like 192.168.x.xxx then your modem is assigning IP addresses.
Next thing you would want to do is make sure you have your security set up if it's a Wifi router. The next step you do will disable your ability to go into the router to make changes, and the only way to get back into the router will be to reset it to factory defaults by holding in the reset button.
So now, in your router's settings, go to the firewall and see if you can disable it. If not, that's fine. Next find the DHCP server section on the router, and disable that.
Next, log out of the router, then unplug the WAN port (the cord that was going to the modem) and plug that cord into one of the LAN ports.
That should be it, your router is now simply a switch and a Wifi access point if it's a wifi router.
You may also have to open ports in your modem now, too. But first just try that and see if your problems are solved.
Bridging your Modem:
This may knock you offline, so be prepared to deal with that, and be prepared to contact your ISP.
If you have DSL, you'll probably have to get your login information ready. Once you bridge your modem, you will have to set up PPPoE in your router.
Accessing your modem is usually the same as how you access your router. Plug directly into it and type the IP address in a web browser. Sometimes you'll have a switch that says "bridged mode" or something. Or you may have to just disable the DHCP and firewall, like you would to turn a router into a switch.
But... My router isn't listed here, or it's a different version!
The scope of this guide is for the common routers, but there is plenty of support already in place for all routers. Portforward.com is an excellent resource for this information.
First, make a static IP address for your 360.
Next, go here and select your router or modem: http://portforward.com/english/applications/port_forwarding/Xbox_Live_360/Xbox_Live_360index.htm
Remember to reboot your router if you make any changes in it.
Some notes about Portforward.com
After you picked your router or modem, on the top of every page it will say:
"To setup port forwarding on this router your computer needs to have a static ip address. Take a look at our Static IP Address guide to setup a static ip address. When you are finished setting up a static ip address, please come back to this page and enter the ip address you setup in the Static IP Address box below."
What they mean to say is that your Xbox needs to have a static IP address. And they are correct about that. But you already did that, right? RIGHT? Not making your Xbox'es IP static is just going to give you problems down the road, best to get it out of the way now while you are working on it.
Additional Tweaks
If you've tried opening your ports using the methods I decribed and you're still having problems, you should consider reseting your router and disabling UPNP immediately BEFORE YOU EVER TURN ON YOUR 360. See above for more detials.
If you're not using a router (OR EVEN IF YOU ARE USING A ROUTER), look at your modem. Get your manual (ALWAYS find it at the Manufacturer's website to avoid runarounds, spyware, viruses, people charging for manuals). Look and see if your modem has any routing capabilities.
If you don't use a router: Set up forwarding rules to forward the ncecssary ports to your 360
If you also have a router: Disable the routing capabilities in your modem (aka bridge the modem) or turn your router into a switch. (See below for more information.)
Next thing I would do is filter out those ports (88, 3074) to the rest of your network, so that only the xbox can access them. Go to the firewall and filters section of the router to do this.
In the filters section I block those ports from every IP except my xboxes IPs, and in the firewall I allow those ports to only the xboxes, and I set up rules to deny them too all other devices.
Also be sure to pull the power from your router after every change that you make, to COMPLETELY reboot. Don't just use the software's "reboot". I'd also turn off everything else on the network too, maybe even the modem too. Do a complete cycle.
Connecting the Xbox 360 directly to the Modem (And College Dorms)
If you're not using a router you may need to clone your PC's MAC address. To Clone your PC's MAC address to your Xbox 360 (Direct to Modem connections only, do not do this method if you're using a router):
Find your PC's MAC address: Start>>Run>>type cmd
Now type IPconfig/all in the DOS screen. Your "physical Address" should be your mac address.
Now go to your Xbox 360>>system menu>>Network Settings>>Edit Settings>>Push to the right to get to Additional Settings, then push down to get to Advanced settinges. Select "Alternate MAC Address" and enter your PC's MAC address.
If you eventually get a router, then undo the above by simply wiping out the new MAC address that you gave to your 360.
Questions and Answers (aka the Boring Stuff)
My NAT isn't open! I can't voice chat! I can't join friends games! I can't connect to COD3 or host in GOW!
If you have issues with Friends list Voice chat, joining friends list games, or joining some games such as Call of Duty 3(could not connect to all players error), or hosting in some games such as Gears of War, then you may have to open ports on your router. Even if your NAT tests as open, you may need to still do this, because chances are UPNP is trying to open your ports but it often does a sloppy job. You're better off disabling UPNP and opening the ports on your own.
To get started, click here
What's going on?
NAT is the translation between your IP address and the internet. It serves as a firewall of sorts. When you do your "test Xbox live" connection it will tell you if your NAT is open or strict or moderate.
Opening your router's ports can fix the problem of having a strict NAT. But just because your NAT tests as open doesn't mean you have the ports that Xbox Live likes to have open. UPNP might be trying to open your ports so it passes the test, but it is often sloppy or gets "confused" over time, that is why it may have been working until recently.
According to Microsoft, Xbox live requires the following ports to be open:
88 UDP
3074 TCP and UDP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908874
Some sites also recommend opening port 2074 TCP and UDP. Although you can't hack a 360 that way, I just don't see the need for it.
Speaking of hacking, some people even put their 360's IP address in the DMZ, which means that it's outside of the router's control. Or in other words, all the ports are open. That is safe for your 360, but bad for your PC. That's why you make your IP address static on the 360. That way your PC's IP and your 360's IP won't get mixed up.
What can I do?
If one method doesn't work for you, try another. Remember to reboot your router after any changes in the router.
1. Test that the router is the problem. Plug directly into the modem (you may have to reboot the modem) and run a test. The problem might be the modem itself. But most of the time it's the router.
2. use Triggering (special applications or Applications)
3. Forwrad the ports (virtual server)
4. Put IP in the DMZ (be sure to use a static IP)
5. upgrade firmware on the router and start at #1
6. Use your router as a switch
7. Bridge your Modem
Here's some terms that you might want to become familiar with . Don't worry, there is no test!
UPNP
Universal Plug and Play will normally forward the necessary ports for you. This is the preferred way for many people, it reqires the least amount of work. But you may someday run into issues. "suddenly I can't connect to my friends games" or "Why can't I chat with friends anymore". Resetting the router sometimes fixes this, or you might want to upgrade your firmware.
Usually you don't want to use both UPNP and forwrading or DMZ. But some people report that they connect better when using a combo of things like UPNP and forwarding. Toggle both ways, remember to pull the power to reboot the router after any changes you make.
If you disable UPNP, you may need to manually open the ports for your other gaming systems and for some PC applications. Opening ports for other devices is exactly like it is for the 360... make a static IP address and set up your rules in your router.
If you are going to disable UPNP< With some routers, the best thing to do is to disable it before the first time you ever turn on your 360. Obviously that's not possiable for most of us, but you can reset your router to factory settings, then disable UPNP. Be warned that reseting your router will clear your WiFi security and any forwarding rules you might have made. That said, it's always a good idea to start with a fresh connection.
Forwarding
Forwarding in most routers is done in the "virtual Server" section. It forwards to one IP address, so you should make your IP address static before forwarding. Forwarding may make rules in you router's firewall, but if it doesn't do that automatically you may have to also include rules in your firewall.
Triggering
Triggering allows the ports that you want open to listen for any IP address on your network that want to access them. This is a great method because you don't NEED a static IP address. But.. You should make rules in your firewall to allow those ports, and that will ask for the IP address. But to get around that you can allow it for all IP addresses. This poses a slight security risk. To make yourself completely safe, either make the firewall rule only for your xboxes Static IP address (but then guest xboxes won't be allowed which is one of the greatest advantages to triggering) or make your PC's IP addresses static , and make the IP address XXX.XXX.X.200 and higher(but not over 254), and open the range in your firewall to ip addresses of XXX.XXX.X.2 to XXX.XXX.X.199.
DMZ
The DMZ option should always be the last option. And even then it doesn't' seem to work for everybody. And I strongly advise making your IP address static before putting it in the DMZ. Otherwise you run the risk of letting your PC get in the DMZ.
Upgrade Firmware
Go to your router's manufacturer website, find the support section and find your product. There should be a product manual (very handy to have, get it while you're there) and there should be firmware upgrades if available. Usually you download them onto your PC and install them from within your router's settings.
Use router as a switch (advanced users)
If you're going to use your router as a switch, be prepared to loose all settings, as you may have to reset the router if you ever want to get back into it. And make sure that it will work by unplugging your pc from the modem and plug in your xbox. If your xbox gets connected and gets a unique IP address that's different than your PC's IP, then your modem is running a DHCP. And you may want to look into getting into the modem's settings to open the ports, as that might be where the problem is. Or you may need to open the ports in both your modem and your router. To use your router as a switch, disable the DHCP server in the router. Then instead of plugging into the WAN port, plug the internet connection into the LAN ports.
Bridge your Modem(advanced users)
If you've tried Forwarding, Triggering, and DMZ and that still doesn't work, then perhaps the problem is your modem. You can either turn your router into a switch (above) or you can bridge your modem. Personally I would bridge the modem. This means that you may have enter in your login information (usually DSL users) into your router, and use PPPoE mode. You'll then need to go into your modems settings and disable the firewall and DHCP server, and/or select Bridged Mode. Contact your ISP or be ready to contact them when doing this, as you may get knocked offline.
All this sounds insanely hard
Yes and no. If you don't have a clue what you're doing it can be extremely overwhelming. But that is why I am writing this guide, and you don't necessarily have to understand it all. If you do know what you're doing, I hope these tips help you do it SAFELY. The top priority is your network's safety. That is why I recommend using static IP addresses in some cases, along with the fact that static IP addresses ensure that the rule will stay applied to your Xbox.
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