Port ForwardingPlayStation 5

How to Port Forward on PlayStation 5

Port forwarding on a PS5 is configured via the router. Since gamers have varying types of router brands, a few of the router settings may differ. However, the steps to configure port forwarding on a PlayStation 5 are mostly the same on most routers.

Here are the steps to port forward on a PS5:

• Head over to your PS5 Settings.
  
  
• Scroll down and select Network.
  
  
• Select View Connection Status.
  
  
• You’ll see the IP Address of your PlayStation 5. Note this down as you’ll need it later on.
• Also, note down the MAC address of your PS5.
• Log in to your router via the browser and head over to the Port Forwarding section.
• Manually assign the IP address to your PS5 console from the data you’ve noted down (Step 4 & Step 5).
• Also, add ports for TCP and UDP. If your router supports both protocols, then add 1935, 3074, 3478-3480. If your router does not have the ‘both’ option, then add TCP and UDP ports separately: Protocol TCP: 1935,3478-3480 & Protocol UDP: 3074,3478-3479.
• Once the changes have been done, reboot your router.
• Once the router restarts, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your NAT type.

Why Do I Need to Do Port Forwarding on PS5?

Port forwarding is connected to Network Address Translation (NAT). When port forwarding, you’re essentially redirecting a communication request from one IP address and port number combination to another IP address and port number.

If your router isn’t directed to forward ports to a specific device, the traffic will come to the router but once it sees what port it needs to travel to, it stops. Thus, port forwarding needs to be enabled on the router side.

Think about it this way: let’s say a letter comes to an apartment building. Without a specific apartment number, the mailman at the lobby might just drop the mail in a generic mailbox.

Port forwarding tells the mailman to direct the mail to a very specific apartment, just like your router is directing traffic to a device connected to the network.

When port forwarding is configured on a PlayStation 5, the online gaming servers of a game you’re playing connect to your PS5 console, which significantly improves your online gaming experience as you don’t experience disconnections or lag during the gameplay.

Port forwarding is configured on your router since most routers aren’t gaming-friendly. Routers don’t come packed with the settings that facilitate online gaming since they’re not solely made for that purpose. This leaves you with no other choice but to port forward for improved online gameplay.