Despite configuring all the mandatory port forwarding preferences, users often miss out on a few key factors and stumble upon the port forwarding not working problem. To make port forwarding work properly, troubleshooting is then required, and that’s where most of us get on the hook.
Frankly speaking, it’s pretty hard to find the root cause of the port forwarding error. You could encounter issues in either source and destination or your port forwarding configuration.
Port Forwarding allows you to speed up the overall speed of your communications with external networks or devices. However, there are some instances where port forwarding couldn’t work. For example, routers use a NAT firewall to block all unwarranted connections, preventing users from torrenting.
But with the best VPNs with port forwarding, you can bypass the NAT firewall and create unsolicited connections. They are handy tools that automate the settings for you. However, if you are configuring port forwarding manually, let’s explore the reasons why port forwarding is not working and how you can fix it.
What is Port Forwarding?
Port forwarding helps you to set up a shared service on your computer so that any device connected to a separate network can also access it. By using this, you can use your home computer anywhere while traveling and speed up your downloading speed since it bypasses any NAT firewalls. Learn more about Port Forwarding at www.androidmir.net
Why is Your Port Forwarding Faulty?
Several factors might prevent port forwarding from working properly. Your ISP may not support public addresses or that you misconfigured the settings.
The following are the most frequent causes of why port forwarding is not working:
- Even if you have activated the required settings, your router’s port forwarding settings might be having issues
- A private WAN IP address by your router makes port forwarding difficult
- For port forwarding, other users shouldn’t have the same public address as you. You will thus be using a public address accessible to other users if your ISP employs a CGN (Carrier-grade NAT) public address space
- You may occasionally confuse the IP address with FQDN. Therefore, the DNS isn’t configured properly
- There are hundreds of port numbers to choose from. As a result, we can confuse them with one another
- Your internet connection may be shielded from outside use by a firewall
How To Address the Port Forwarding Not Working Issue
Here are some suggestions to help you if port forwarding isn’t working for you yet:
Go through your configuration settings for possible errors
You should set up configuration on both your router and the IIS (Internet Information Services) if you want to create an FTP website. So, if you’ve made any error here, port forwarding simply will not work for you.
Select the Correct Preferences in Internet Information Services Manager
When developing the FTP website, you can select your IP address from the list. Therefore, if you select a different IP address than your own, port forwarding won’t work.
You can control the settings in IIS Manager(Internet Information Services Manager) by following these steps:
- From Windows features, download IIS Manager
- After installation, start it from Start Menu
- Choose “Add FTP Site” under Connections
- Select the proper IP address after selecting the site’s location and name. If you don’t know your IP address, you can find out by typing “ipconfig” in the Command Prompt window. After that, confirm your IPV4 address
- Now, create an FTP website to continue accessing your computer data from networks other than your own
Check for Errors in the router configuration
Once you’ve set up an FTP site, it is essential to instruct the router to unlock the channels when accessed from a different connection. To achieve it, follow the guideline given below:
- Go to the Configuration page for your router. Remember that different routers require a different address to access the website
- After signing in, navigate to Mapping Configuration/Port Forwarding
- When choosing the internal host, enter the IP address you used before. You can also enter your MAC address which will immediately show your IP
- Select the same port number you used while creating the FTP website
- Finally, apply all the modifications
If you’ve done everything right, port Forwarding should work without a hitch. If that doesn’t, then you need to correct some further mistakes.
Reboot Your Modem or Router
Some routers require a restart after setting configuration to take effect. Therefore, we advise you to switch off your router and then switch it on after a short while.
Scrutinize your internet connection on both source and destination
If you know your settings are correct, there may be a problem with the online connection.
Well, without an internet connection, the data cannot reach its designated location. User access to the source’s files is therefore prohibited.
It would thus be wise to check the internet access of both parties. Then, if you find a problem, try to solve it and see if port forwarding functions.
Disable your computer’s firewall temporarily.
The firewall prevents any kind of intrusion into our computers. Nowadays, a firewall is installed on the majority of PCs.
A firewall prevents other devices from accessing your files while it is turned on. As a result, we are unable to use port forwarding.
Windows OS (PCs, laptops, desktops):
Windows System Firewall is turned on by default. On Windows 11, you can deactivate it if you follow the given steps:
- From the Start Menu, select Windows Security, then Firewall & Network Protection.
- Choose Allow an app across the firewall as you scroll down. Then select Change Settings.
- Select the app you wish the firewall to ignore in the Allowed apps pane. Place a tick next to it. If you want other networks to be able to connect with your FTP server, for instance, you may tick that option.
A different option is to go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow a program or feature via Windows Firewall. Then follow the steps as mentioned earlier.
It’s worth noting that Powershell may also be used to activate or deactivate Firewall.
macOS (Macbooks):
The Mac’s firewall system is deactivated by default. However, if you accidentally did turn it on, learn how to turn it off:
- Choose “System Preferences” by clicking the apple symbol in the left corner of the screen.
- Select Security & Privacy next.
- Next, choose “Turn off Firewall” under the Firewall option.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you fix your port forwarding issue. If you have any else to report or need solutions for, feel free to drop your concerns in the comment section below.
