eero Port Forwarding for Game Servers (Step by Step)

On eero, game server port forwarding lives in the eero app under Settings, then Advanced networking (labelled Network settings on some app versions), then Reservations & port forwarding. You first reserve an IP for the server PC, then choose Open a port, enter the game's port or range, pick TCP, UDP or both, and tap Save. eero has to be the main router for this to work: if it sits behind an ISP router or is in bridge mode, the rule never sees outside traffic.

Step 1: Confirm eero is your router

Open the eero app, tap Settings, then Network settings (or Advanced networking), then DHCP & NAT.

• Automatic (recommended): eero is routing. Port forwarding works if eero is the only router.
• Bridge: eero is only providing Wi-Fi. The reservations menu is not available. Forward ports on your ISP router instead.

Then check what your ISP equipment is doing. If your eero plugs into an ISP gateway that also routes (Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, AT&T and Verizon gateways all can), you have double NAT. The fix is either bridge or passthrough mode on the ISP box, or eero in bridge mode with forwarding on the ISP box. Our double NAT guide explains how to tell from the WAN address.

Step 2: Reserve the server's IP

1. In the eero app, tap Settings.
2. Tap Network settings or Advanced networking.
3. Tap Reservations & port forwarding.
4. Under IPv4 Reservations & Port Forwards, tap Add a reservation.
5. Pick the server PC from the connected devices list (or add one by hand with its nickname, MAC address and IP).
6. Tap Save.

eero ties forwards to a reservation, so you cannot skip this step. That is a good thing: it means the rule never ends up pointing at the wrong device.

Step 3: Open the game's port

1. Tap the reservation you just made.
2. Tap Open a port. Confirm the pop up by tapping Save.
3. Enter a nickname like Rust.
4. Enter the port or a range, written as start, a dash, then end, for example 2456-2457.
5. Choose TCP, UDP or Both.
6. Tap Save in the top right.

Add another port the same way if the game needs ports that are not next to each other.

Every other game we host is in how to port forward a game server.

IPv6 firewall rules

The same screen has an IPv6 Firewall Rules section. On IPv6, each device has its own public address, so eero lets you open a port for a device instead of forwarding. Only bother if your ISP gives you IPv6 and you and your players actually connect over it. For the background, see hosting a game server over IPv6.

eero settings that can get in the way

• eero Plus (formerly eero Secure) Block and filter. Threat blocking and ad blocking work on outbound lookups, so they rarely affect players joining you. If you see the server PC flagged, check the Activity screen.
• Paused profiles. If the server PC belongs to a profile with a schedule (for example, a kid's profile that pauses at 10 pm), the PC goes offline at that time and the server drops. Move the server out of that profile.
• UPnP. In Network settings, eero has a UPnP toggle. It is on by default. Games that use UPnP will open ports themselves, but most dedicated server software does not. Manual rules are the dependable route; see UPnP not working for a game server.
• Wi-Fi server on a far eero node. A PC on a distant node relays everything over the mesh. Plug the server into an eero with Ethernet if possible.

Testing it

1. Start the server and wait for it to load fully.
2. Look up the public address in the eero app's network or internet details, or search "what is my IP". It must be a public address, not 100.64.x.x to 100.127.x.x, which would mean CGNAT.
3. Have a friend join, or join from a phone on mobile data.

Joining your own public IP from inside the house may or may not work depending on your setup. That is a loopback issue, not a forwarding problem. Why friends cannot connect but you can explains it.

Still blocked

• The PC's own firewall: allow the server program on Windows, see Windows Firewall rules for a game server.
• The game server binding to a specific IP in its config that no longer matches the reservation.
• An old reservation for the same PC under a different MAC address. Windows can randomize MAC addresses on Wi-Fi ("Random hardware addresses"). Turn that off for your home network, or use Ethernet.

That last one catches a lot of people: Windows 11 and recent phones use random MAC addresses per network, which makes eero think the PC is a new device.

When you are tired of babysitting it

eero is one of the friendlier systems for port forwarding, but a home server still means your PC is on, your upload is shared with the family's streaming, and every player sees your home IP. A GamezServers server has its own address and open ports from the start, DDoS protection always on, and you can turn on Sleep when empty so a quiet server does not run for nothing. See game server for friends.

FAQ

Why is Reservations & port forwarding missing in the eero app?

Your eero is in bridge mode, or you are not an admin on the network. Switch DHCP & NAT to Automatic, or ask the network owner to add you as an admin.

Do I need eero Plus for port forwarding?

No. Port forwarding and reservations are free features in the eero app.

Can I forward the same port to two PCs?

No. One external port can only point to one device. Run the second server on a different port and forward that one instead.

Does eero support port triggering?

No. eero only offers port forwarding, which is what a game server needs anyway.