UPnP vs port forwarding vs DMZ

Three ways to open a console to incoming connections, and which one to actually use.

Updated Sep 25, 2026

All three solve the same problem — letting other players reach your console — with very different amounts of effort and risk.

UPnP — use this

The console asks the router for the ports it needs, and the router opens them automatically. Then it closes them when finished.

Effort: one setting. Risk: low. Coverage: every game, no lists.

Turn it on in the router admin page, restart both router and console, and check NAT type. This resolves most Strict NAT cases on its own, and it is the right first move for almost everyone.

Port forwarding — the fallback

You manually tell the router which ports go to which device, permanently.

Effort: moderate — needs a static IP for the console and a list of ports per platform. Risk: low if you forward only the listed ports. Coverage: only what you configure.

Use it when UPnP is missing from your router, or is on but not working.

DMZ — the last resort

DMZ places one device completely outside the router''s firewall. Everything reaches it.

Effort: one setting. Risk: real. Coverage: total.

It works, which is why it gets recommended. But it removes protection from that device. If you use it, use it only for a console — never for a PC — and give the console a static IP first.

The order to try

UPnP on. Restart both. Re-check.
Still Strict? Check for double NAT — two routers chained. Put one in bridge mode.
Still Strict? Forward ports manually.
Still Strict with everything above done? You are behind CGNAT, and none of these will ever work.