Netgear Nighthawk Port Forwarding for a Game Server

On a Netgear Nighthawk, sign in at http://www.routerlogin.net (or 192.168.1.1), click the ADVANCED tab, then Advanced Setup, then Port Forwarding / Port Triggering. Leave Port Forwarding selected, click Add Custom Service, enter a name, the protocol, the game's port as both external and internal port, and the server PC's IP, then click Apply. Reserve the PC's IP first under Setup, then LAN Setup so the rule does not break after a restart.

Before you open the router page

• Use a PC connected to the Nighthawk by cable or Wi-Fi. routerlogin.net only works from inside the network.
• The default admin username is admin. The password is whatever you set during setup; on older units the default was password. If you set it up with the Nighthawk app, it is the admin password you chose there.
• Know the server PC's local IP. Run ipconfig in Command Prompt and note the IPv4 Address.

Step 1: Reserve the PC's address

1. Sign in and click ADVANCED, then Setup, then LAN Setup.
2. Scroll to Address Reservation and click Add.
3. Select the server PC from the attached devices table, or type its IP, MAC address and a name.
4. Click Add, then Apply.

Restart the PC (or renew its address with ipconfig /renew) so it picks up the reservation.

Step 2: Add the custom service

1. Click ADVANCED, then Advanced Setup, then Port Forwarding / Port Triggering.
2. Make sure the Port Forwarding radio button is selected.
3. Click Add Custom Service.
4. Service Name: for example Satisfactory.
5. Service Type (Protocol): TCP, UDP or TCP/UDP.
6. External Starting Port and External Ending Port: for one port, the same number in both. For a range, the first and last port.
7. Use the same port range for Internal port: leave it ticked.
8. Internal IP address: type the server's IP, or select it from the attached devices list.
9. Click Apply.

The rule now shows in the port forwarding table. Click Edit Service or Delete Service to change it later.

Examples:

Satisfactory's 8888 TCP port was added in Update 1.1. Without it, players hang on "Connecting". See how to port forward a game server for every other game.

The Nighthawk app

Recent versions of the Nighthawk app can show device lists and some advanced settings, and Netgear has been moving features in and out of it over time. For port forwarding, the browser page has been the consistent option across Nighthawk models for years, so use it if the app does not show what you need.

Nighthawk settings that matter for hosting

Respond to Ping on Internet Port. Under ADVANCED, then Setup, then WAN Setup. It does not affect game traffic. Leave it off.

Disable Port Scan and DoS Protection. Also on WAN Setup. This is ticked off by default, which means protection is on. In rare cases a busy UDP server with many players gets flagged. Do not turn protection off as a first step; only test with it disabled if players drop at random and you have ruled out everything else.

NAT Filtering. On WAN Setup you can choose Secured or Open. Secured is fine for forwarded ports. Open can help consoles get a better NAT type, but it is not required for a server with proper forwarding rules.

UPnP. Under ADVANCED, then Advanced Setup, then UPnP. Netgear shows a table of ports that programs opened through UPnP. Useful for spotting conflicts with a rule you made by hand. See UPnP not working for a game server.

Armor (Bitdefender). Some Nighthawk models include Netgear Armor. It mostly blocks outbound threats but can flag devices. Check its event log if the server PC is involved.

Nighthawk behind an ISP gateway

Check ADVANCED, then the home page's Internet Port panel for the WAN IP address. If it is a private address (192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x), the Nighthawk is behind another router, and your forwards only reach that router's network. Put the ISP gateway in bridge or passthrough mode, or forward on both. The double NAT guide has the decision tree.

If it starts with 100.64. to 100.127., your ISP is using carrier grade NAT and no router setting will fix it. Read how to tell if you are behind CGNAT.

Nighthawk Dynamic DNS

Netgear routers include a free Dynamic DNS service under ADVANCED, then Advanced Setup, then Dynamic DNS. Choose NETGEAR as the provider and create a mynetgear.com hostname. The router keeps it pointed at your current public IP, so friends can bookmark a name instead of an address that changes. More options in dynamic IP and DDNS for a home game server.

Testing and troubleshooting

• Start the server, then test from outside your home. A TCP game shows as open in a port checker only while the server is running. UDP games need a real client, or the tricks in how to test if a UDP port is open.
• "The port is already in use by another service": an older custom service or a UPnP entry overlaps. Delete it first.
• Works for a day, then stops: the PC's IP changed because the reservation was not applied. Recheck LAN Setup.
• Windows Firewall is the next suspect after the router. Use Windows Firewall rules for a game server.

Or let someone else run the router

A Nighthawk is a solid home router, but home hosting still means your PC stays on and your IP is exposed to everyone who joins. A GamezServers server comes with its own address, open ports, a file manager and SFTP for mods, and backups you can make with one click. Plans are priced by RAM with no contract; see cheap game server hosting.

FAQ

What is the Netgear Nighthawk login?

http://www.routerlogin.net or http://192.168.1.1, username admin and the admin password you set when you installed the router.

Should I use Port Triggering for a game server?

No. Triggering only opens a port after the PC sends traffic out on another port. Servers wait for incoming players, so they need Port Forwarding.

How many port forwarding rules can a Nighthawk hold?

Plenty for home use. Limits vary by model, but a handful of game servers never come near them.

Do I need to restart the Nighthawk after adding a rule?

No. Clicking Apply makes it active. Restart the game server so it starts listening cleanly.