How to Set Up Port Forwarding For VALORANT

Experiencing Connection Issues in VALORANT? Are you suddenly facing high ping, ping spikes, packet loss during rounds, or delays in bullet registration? The main problem could be your router blocking access to VALORANT servers. Your router settings might reroute through your ISP’s servers, causing unstable connections and these issues.There are multiple solutions to consider, some of which you might have already tried. If you’re still experiencing issues, a reliable solution is Port Forwarding. Adjusting your router settings with port forwarding can help establish a stable connection. This solution can eliminate disruptions, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.

How Does Port Forwarding Fixes Ping and Lag?

Issues like High Ping, Ping Spikes, and Packet Loss are common in VALORANT primarily due to network congestion or your router blocking access to game servers.

Step 1. Find Your Default Gateway and IPv4 Address

To set up Port Forwarding, you’ll need your IPv4 address and Default Gateway.

1. Press the Windows key and type CMD. Press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
   
2. In Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter.
   
3. Look for the following:
   • IPv4 Address:
   • Default Gateway:

Note these values for later steps in port forwarding.

Step 2. Access Your Router’s Configuration Page

Once you have the information, you can access your router’s settings.

1. Open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).
   
2. Type the Default Gateway address you found earlier (e.g., 192.168.1.1) in the address bar and press Enter.
   
3. A login page will appear. Enter your router’s username and password:
   • If you haven’t changed them, the default username is often admin, and the password might be password or left blank.
   • If those don’t work, check the back of your router or the router’s box. The default login details are often printed there.
   • Sometimes, the password may be the last 8 digits of the router’s MAC address.
4. Once logged in, you’ll be on your router’s configuration page, where you can find the port forwarding option.
   

Since router configuration pages vary, you might need to look around for the correct option. Look for pages labeled Port Forwarding, Virtual Servers, NAT, or Applications. You may find them under Advanced Settings or the Internet Security Tab.

Your page might look something like this:

Profile Types:

• For routers that allow multiple ports under a single service: You can create one service and enter all the necessary ports for VALORANT at once.
• For routers with separate profiles for each port: You’ll need to create a new service for each port or group of ports individually and configure them separately. This can take more time but ensures each port is correctly forwarded.
• WAN Host IP Address: Leave this as it is, since we’re configuring it on a home network.

Once you’ve found the correct section, click Add Custom Service (if this option is available on your router). After clicking, you’ll be able to enter the following details for VALORANT. Below are the port and service details for manual entry:

Step 2.1. Port Forwarding for VALORANT

Step 3. Allow DMZ for IPv4 on Your Router (Optional)

A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a network configuration that places a device outside your local network’s firewall, giving it direct internet access while keeping your internal network protected. This is often used for gaming consoles, game servers, or services requiring an open internet connection.

If your router supports this feature, enabling DMZ will let your devices connect with gaming ports without interruption.

1. Open a web browser and type your router’s IP address in the address bar (e.g., 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1).
   
2. Enter your login credentials to access the router settings.
   
3. In the router’s settings menu, look for DMZ or Demilitarized Zone (typically found under Advanced Settings, Firewall, or NAT settings).
   
4. Ensure DMZ is ON.
5. WAN Connection: Leave these settings on Auto, unless a specific configuration is required for your internet connection.
6. Lan Host (DMZ Device): Assign the DMZ to a specific device using its MAC address or IPv4.

3.1 Choose Device via MAC or IP Address:

In most cases, you have two options.

1. Option 1: MAC Address: Most routers allow you to choose a device based on its MAC address. This is recommended because the MAC address is a unique identifier for your device, remaining constant even if you change IP addresses or network settings.
   • Find the MAC address of your device (available in the device’s network settings or physically on the device’s backside).
   • Enter or select the MAC address from the list of connected devices in your router.
2. Option 2: IP Address: Alternatively, you can assign DMZ to a device via its IP address. However, this is less reliable because if the device’s IP address changes (e.g., if it’s dynamically assigned by the router’s DHCP), your DMZ configuration may stop working.

3.2 Assign a Static IP Address:

Why Assign a Static IP Address? Assigning a static IP address ensures your device always has the same IP on your network, which is particularly useful when setting up DMZ or port forwarding to ensure consistent accessibility, even after a router restart.

1. Open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
2. Enter your username and password to access the router settings.
3. Once logged in, navigate to Local Network > LAN > DHCP Binding or search for the DHCP Binding or Static IP Reservation section.
4. Provide a name and the device’s MAC Address (find this in the device’s network settings or on its backside).
5. In the IP address field, enter the IPv4 address you noted earlier from the CMD.
6. Click Save or Apply to confirm the changes.
7. Some routers may require you to restart to apply these changes.

4. Allowing Ports on Windows Firewall

If you’re experiencing connection issues with VALORANT or facing lag, it might be due to blocked ports required by the game on your Windows Firewall. VALORANT uses specific UDP ports (7000-8000 and 8180-8181) to communicate with its servers. When these ports are closed, your connection might be interrupted or unstable.

By opening the necessary ports, you can enhance your connection quality and reduce connection-related problems during gameplay.

1. Press the Windows Key, type “Windows Defender Firewall,” and press Enter.
   
2. Click on Inbound Rules.
3. On the right, click New Rules….
4. Select Port and click Next.
5. Choose UDP.
6. In the Specific local ports field, enter “7000-8000, 8180-8181” and click Next.
7. Choose Allow the connection and click Next.
8. Allow rules for all Connection profiles: Domain, Private, and Public.
9. Give it a name like “VALORANT Port Listening“.
10. Repeat these steps for Outbound Rules to allow outgoing traffic.

Once completed, the necessary ports for VALORANT will be open on your system, improving your connection to the game and enhancing the overall experience!