Trace: • ports_forwarding

NFS Underground Port Forwarding - Easy Guide

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# 🎮 NFS Underground Port Forwarding Guide

⚠️ Important: Every router looks a bit different!
If something does not look the same on your screen, search Google or YouTube for a guide with your router model.

⏱️ How long does it take?
- If you know a bit about PCs: about 20–30 minutes
- If you are a complete beginner: about 45–90 minutes

💡 Don’t worry: It looks harder than it is.
Just follow the steps one by one. Even if you are new, you can do it.

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## 🛠 Step 1 - The Ports You Need
- Open these ports in your router:

  1. UDP 3658-3659

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## 💻 Step 2 - Give Your PC a Fixed IP (Safe Method)
Your router must always know your PC’s “address”. Otherwise the ports will not work.

### Easy Rule for Beginners
Use an IP that is not used by other devices.
A safe choice is: - 192.168.1.200

(Almost no router will give this number automatically. So it is free and safe.)

### On Windows
1. Open Control Panel
2. Go to: Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings
3. Right-click your connection → Properties → Internet Protocol v4 → Properties
4. Select “Use the following IP” and type:

  1. IP: 192.168.1.200
  2. Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
  3. Gateway: 192.168.1.1

💡 If your router has DHCP Reservation, use it instead. It is easier and gives your PC a fixed IP automatically.

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## 🌐 Step 3 – Login to Your Router
1. Open your browser
2. Type: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
3. Login with username + password (often on the router sticker)

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## 🚪 Step 4 - Add Port Forwarding
1. In your router menu, look for: Port Forwarding, Virtual Server, NAT, or Gaming
2. Create a new rule:

  1. Name: NFS Underground
  2. Protocol: UDP
  3. Ports: Start 3658, End 3659
  4. Internal IP: 192.168.1.200 (your PC IP)

3. Save and apply

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## 🔥 Step 5 - Firewall Check
- Windows: Open Firewall → Allow a program or port → Add UDP 3658-3659
- Linux: Use your firewall tool to allow the same ports

💡 If nothing works, turn off your firewall for testing. But turn it back on after!

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## ✅ Step 6 – Test Your Game
1. Start NFS Underground → Create a multiplayer game
2. Ask a friend to join
3. Or Open the NFS.onl launcher and go to Open settings → Main config → UPnP Port Forwarding and Testing.
When the new window opens, click on “Test UDP” to check if your port forwarding is set up correctly.

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## 🚫 If It Still Doesn’t Work
- Check your PC IP matches the rule in your router
- Double-check ports 3658–3659 UDP are forwarded
- Check your firewall again
- If your ISP uses CGNAT, normal port forwarding will never work. Then you need a VPS server see Redhair's YouTube guide

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## 📋 Extra Tips
- Always keep your PC on the same IP (`192.168.1.200`) - Only open the ports you need
- Test with 1 friend first before a big game
- Write down your router login and rules for later

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# 📖 Word Explanations (Simple)

- Port = A “door” number on your router that lets game data in or out.
- UDP = A fast type of connection for games.
- IP Address = Your PC’s “house number” inside your network.
- Gateway = The “main door” to your router.
- Router Login = The page where you change your router settings.
- Firewall = A security wall on your PC that can block connections.
- Port Forwarding = Telling the router: “Send all game data on this port to my PC.”
- DHCP Reservation = A router option that gives your PC the same IP automatically.
- CGNAT = Your internet provider puts many people behind one big router. Then port forwarding will not work.
- VPS = A rented server on the internet that can act as your host.

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# ❓ Extra Explanations

- Why use 192.168.1.200? 

Most routers automatically give out addresses starting from 192.168.1.2 up to around 192.168.1.100 or 192.168.1.150.  \\
If you choose 192.168.1.200, it is outside this range. That means the router will not give it to a phone, laptop, or smart TV by accident. No conflicts = safe.

- What if my router uses 192.168.0.x instead of 192.168.1.x? 

Then simply use 192.168.0.200 instead of 192.168.1.200.  \\
The rule is the same: pick a number like 200 that is outside the normal automatic range.

- What happens if two devices have the same IP? Both will lose internet or get strange problems. That is why we use a number (200) that is not handed out automatically by the router.

- Why only UDP and not TCP? NFS Underground only needs UDP for online play. TCP is not used in this case. That is why we keep it simple and only open UDP.