How to Allow UDP in for Skype

Router setup screens vary, but almost all include port forwarding options.

The Skype Internet phone program requires the router through which you connect to the Internet to allow data traffic through certain "ports" in order to work. If you're having trouble with your Skype connection, you may have to tell your router to allow traffic using the UDP protocol through a particular port specified in the Skype options dialog. How exactly to do this varies greatly depending on the model of your router, but the basic principles are always the same.

Instructions

1. Open Skype. Click "Tools," "Options," "Advanced Settings," then "Connection" and look for the setting marked "Use port xxxxx for incoming connections." Note down the number that's in place of the "xxxxx" -- this is the random port Skype is using with the UDP protocol.

2. Open the setup page for your router. Do this by entering the IP address of your router in the address bar of an Internet browser and pressing "Enter." Router IP addresses vary, but they are often "192.168.1.1" or "192.168.1.100". If neither of these work, check the router's documentation, or follow the link in "Resources" and find your router's manufacturer in the table of addresses.

3. Enter your router's setup password, if prompted. If you haven't set the password yourself, it'll either be blank or set to some default -- check your documentation for the default password. (It's sometimes "admin").

4. Find the port forwarding section of your router setup program. Setup programs vary, so search through the options looking for keywords like "port forwarding," "applications," "gaming," or "port range." The section will allow you to specify certain ports or port ranges as open for certain protocols; you'll generally be able to enter the ports in a text box and select the protocol from a drop-down menu.

5. Set the port you noted in Step 1 as open for UDP traffic. It can also be helpful to open ports 80 and 443 for TCP traffic. You'll also have to enter the IP address of the machine you're using. If you don't know your IP address, you can find it easily. In Windows, click "Start," then "Run," then type "cmd" and press "Enter." Enter "ipconfig /all" at the command prompt, and note down the number under "IP Address." On a Mac OS system, open System Preferences and select "Network" from "Internet and Network."

Tips & Warnings

• If your router's setup page is particularly confusing -- if you can't find the port forwarding settings, or if you can't figure out how to enter data into them -- try following the link in "Resources" to PortForward.com. Select your router model from the list, then select "Skype" for specific port forwarding instructions.

References

• Skype: I can't connect to Skype from work or due to a restrictive firewall. Which ports need to be opened in order to use Skype?

Resources

• Techspot: A List of Common Router IP Addresses
• PortForward.com