If you’re an avid Call of Duty Modern Warfare player, you may have heard about port forwarding. Port forwarding is a technique that allows you to open up specific ports on your router, which can help improve your online gaming experience.
In this article, we’ll explain what port forwarding is, why it’s important for COD MW players, and how to do it.
What is Port Forwarding?
Port forwarding involves opening up specific ports on your router so that data can travel freely between your device and the internet. By default, routers are configured to block incoming traffic from the internet. However, by opening up certain ports, you can allow traffic to flow in and out of your network more easily.
Why is Port Forwarding Important for COD MW?
When playing online games like COD MW, you need a stable connection with low latency (i.e., minimal delay). If there’s too much latency between your device and the game server, you may experience lag or even disconnects.
Port forwarding can help reduce latency by allowing data to travel more directly between your device and the game server. It can also help prevent issues like NAT type errors that may prevent you from connecting to other players.
How Do I Port Forward for COD MW?
Before you begin port forwarding for COD MW, you’ll need to gather some information:
- Your device’s IP address
- The ports used by COD MW
- Your router’s login credentials
To find your device’s IP address:
- On Windows: Open Command Prompt and type “ipconfig” without quotes. Your IP address will be listed under “IPv4 Address.
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- On Mac: Go to System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Advanced > TCP/IP. Your IP address will be listed next to “IPv4 Address. “
To find the ports used by COD MW, check the game’s documentation or do a quick online search.
Once you have this information, follow these steps:
Step 1: Login to Your Router
Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address into the address bar. You should be prompted to enter your login credentials (username and password). If you haven’t changed these from their default values, you can usually find them in your router’s documentation.
Step 2: Navigate to Port Forwarding Settings
The location of port forwarding settings varies by router model. Look for a tab or section labeled “Port Forwarding,” “NAT,” or “Virtual Servers.” Once you’ve found it, click on it.
Step 3: Add a New Rule
Click on the button labeled “Add New” or something similar. You’ll need to enter some information here:
- Name: Give your rule a name that makes sense to you (e.g., COD MW).
- Protocol: Select either TCP, UDP, or Both.
- External Port Range/Internal Port Range: Enter the port number(s) used by COD MW.
- Internal IP Address: Enter your device’s IP address.
Step 4: Save Your Settings
Once you’ve entered all the necessary information, click “Save” or something similar. Your router should now be configured to forward traffic on those ports to your device.
Closing Thoughts
Port forwarding can be a bit intimidating if you’ve never done it before. However, with a bit of patience and some basic technical know-how, you can make the necessary changes to your router and enjoy a smoother gaming experience in COD MW.
