ASUS Router Port Forwarding for Game Servers (WAN Virtual Server)

On an ASUS router, open http://www.asusrouter.com (or 192.168.50.1 on most newer models), sign in, click WAN under Advanced Settings, open the Virtual Server / Port Forwarding tab, switch Enable Port Forwarding on and click Add profile. Enter a service name, the game's external port, the server PC's internal IP and the protocol, then save. ASUS ROG routers use the same steps, sometimes with a Open NAT gaming page that builds the same rules for you.

Find the router address

ASUS has used several default addresses over the years:

• 192.168.50.1 on most recent RT, TUF, ZenWiFi and ROG Rapture models
• 192.168.1.1 on older models
• http://www.asusrouter.com works on all of them while you are connected to the router

Sign in with the admin username and password you created during setup. The ASUS Router app also has port forwarding on most models, under Settings, then WAN, then Port Forwarding, but the web page shows every field.

Step 1: Give the server PC a fixed address

1. Click LAN under Advanced Settings, then the DHCP Server tab.
2. Set Enable Manual Assignment to Yes.
3. In the list below, pick the server PC's MAC address from the drop down. The current IP fills in automatically.
4. Click the plus button, then Apply.

Now the PC always gets the same IP, and your rule stays valid.

Step 2: Create the port forwarding profile

1. Click WAN, then the Virtual Server / Port Forwarding tab.
2. Set Enable Port Forwarding to ON.
3. Click Add profile.
4. Service Name: something clear like Minecraft.
5. Protocol: TCP, UDP or BOTH.
6. External Port: the game's port. ASUS accepts single ports (25565), ranges with a colon (2456:2457) and lists with commas (28015,28017).
7. Internal Port: leave blank to use the same port, which is what game servers want.
8. Internal IP Address: choose the server PC.
9. Source IP: leave blank, so anyone can connect.
10. Click OK, then Apply if your firmware shows it.

The Quick Select list includes some games, but it often has the wrong or outdated ports for dedicated servers. Type the ports in yourself.

Other games are in how to port forward a game server.

ROG routers and Open NAT

ROG Rapture and some TUF Gaming routers have an Open NAT page in the Game section. You pick a game and a device, and the router writes the forwarding rules. It is aimed at players fixing NAT type for consoles and PCs, so the presets often cover client ports rather than dedicated server ports. For hosting, check that the generated rules match your server's real ports, or use the Virtual Server page directly.

Check the WAN address

On the Network Map, click the Internet status icon and look at the WAN IP. It must match what "what is my IP" shows.

• Private address (192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x): the ASUS is behind another router. The ISP box needs bridge mode or passthrough, or you forward on both. See the double NAT guide. ASUS also shows a warning on the Virtual Server page in this situation, saying the router has a private WAN IP and port forwarding might not work.
• 100.64.x.x to 100.127.x.x: your ISP uses carrier grade NAT. No ASUS setting fixes that; read how to tell if you are behind CGNAT.

Free DDNS with asuscomm.com

ASUS includes free DDNS: go to WAN, then the DDNS tab, set Enable the DDNS Client to Yes, choose WWW.ASUS.COM as the server, pick a hostname, and apply. Friends can then join yourname.asuscomm.com:port and you never have to resend an IP after your ISP changes it. Other options are in dynamic IP and DDNS for a home game server.

Settings that can block players

• AiProtection (Trend Micro). Its Two-Way IPS can block traffic it considers malicious. Check AiProtection, then the Two-Way IPS event log if players get dropped.
• Adaptive QoS and Game Acceleration. These shape traffic and rarely block anything, but bad bandwidth settings can starve the server's upload. If ping spikes when someone streams, set QoS bandwidth to your real upload speed.
• Firewall. Under Firewall, the general firewall stays on; your port forward is allowed through it automatically. The Network Services Filter and IPv6 Firewall pages apply separately.
• UPnP. On the WAN, Internet Connection tab. Leave it on or off as you like; a manual rule works either way. Background in UPnP not working for a game server.

Test it

1. Start the game server and wait until it says it is ready.
2. From a phone on mobile data, or a friend's PC, connect to your WAN IP or DDNS name plus the port.
3. If it fails, check Windows Firewall on the PC next, using Windows Firewall rules for a game server.

Most ASUS routers support NAT loopback, so joining via your public address from inside the house usually works. If it does not, test from outside anyway before you change anything.

The easier path

ASUS gives you more control than almost any home router, which helps when you are hosting at home. If you would rather skip routers, firewalls and leaving a PC on altogether, a GamezServers server comes with its own address and open ports, every setting from the game's server template in a panel, and plans you can change any time with prorated billing. Start from the games page.

FAQ

What is the default ASUS router login?

http://www.asusrouter.com, or 192.168.50.1 on most newer models and 192.168.1.1 on older ones. You set the username and password on first setup.

How do I enter a port range on ASUS?

Use a colon, like 2456:2457. Separate individual ports with commas, like 28015,28017.

Why does ASUS say my WAN IP is private?

Another router is in front of the ASUS, usually the ISP's modem router. Put that device in bridge mode so the ASUS gets the public IP.

Does Merlin firmware change these steps?

Asuswrt-Merlin keeps the same WAN, Virtual Server / Port Forwarding menu, so the steps are the same.