How to Allow UDP in for Skype
RURI RANBE
TECH
When you install Skype to your computer, the application chooses at random a port number through which it funnels incoming data. The port communicates using both the transmission control protocol and user datagram protocol; Skype relies on a TCP connection when signing on to the Skype network and on a UDP connection when sending or receiving voice transmissions. If the audio quality of your voice calls is poor or degrades over time, you can create a rule in Windows Firewall or on your router to open the appropriate port and prevent the firewall from restricting incoming traffic over UDP.
- Create a Rule in Windows Firewall
- Select Options
- Click Connections
- To open the Settings pane
- Choose Advanced Settings
- Select New Rule
- Set the protocol
- Click Allow the Connection
- Enter Skype
- Create a Rule on Your Routing Device
- Select Options-2
- Click Connections-2
- Right click the wireless network connection icon
- Select Change Adapter Settings
- Write down the information
- Open a Web browser
- Enter your administrative credentials
- Search the menu
- Click the appropriate menu option and then type then Skype
1 Create a Rule in Windows Firewall
2 Select Options
Select "Options" from the Tools menu in Skype and then click the "Advanced" tab.
3 Click Connections
Click "Connections" and then review the information in the right pane to see which port Skype uses for incoming connections.
4 To open the Settings pane
Press "Windows-W" to open the Settings pane, type "firewall" into the search field and then select "Windows Firewall" from the results.
5 Choose Advanced Settings
Choose "Advanced Settings" from the left to open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, and then click "Inbound Rules."
6 Select New Rule
Select "New Rule" from the Actions pane, choose "Port" for the rule type and then click "Next."
7 Set the protocol
Set the protocol to "UDP." Enter the port number from Step 2 into the "Specific Local Ports" field and then click "Next."
8 Click Allow the Connection
Click "Allow the Connection" and then click "Next." Choose from the options whether to allow the port on domain or a public or private network and then click "Next." For the best protection, only allow the connection on a private network.
9 Enter Skype
Enter "Skype" into the "Name" field, enter an optional description and then click "Finish" to allow UDP communication in Skype.
10 Create a Rule on Your Routing Device
11 Select Options-2
Select "Options" from the Tools menu in Skype and then click the "Advanced" tab.
12 Click Connections-2
Click "Connections" and then review the information in the right pane to see which port Skype uses for incoming connections.
13 Right click the wireless network connection icon
Right-click the wireless network connection icon in the notification area and then choose "Open Network and Sharing Center" from the context menu.
14 Select Change Adapter Settings
Select "Change Adapter Settings" from the left and then right-click "Wi-Fi." Choose "Status" from the context menu and then click the "Details" button.
15 Write down the information
Write down the information displayed next to IPv4 Address and IPv4 Default Gateway. The former is the IP address of your computer, and the latter, the IP address of your router.
16 Open a Web browser
Open a Web browser, type the IP address of your router into the address bar and then press "Enter" to access your router's Web-based configuration utility.
17 Enter your administrative credentials
Enter your administrative credentials into the fields provided, or log in to the device using the default credentials. You can find default credentials on the product label attached to the bottom or back of your router or in the product manual.
18 Search the menu
Search the menu for an option such as "Port Forwarding," "Applications & Gaming" or "Virtual Servers."
19 Click the appropriate menu option and then type then Skype
Click the appropriate menu option and then type "Skype" into the "Service Name," "Application Name," "Description" or similar field.
Type the applicable port number into the "Inbound Port," "Internet Port" or similar field. If the router requires you to specify a port range or private port, enter the same number into both fields.
Set the protocol to "UDP" or "Both" and then enter your IP address into the appropriate field.
Check the "Enable" or "Enabled" option, if applicable, and then click the button to apply or save your changes.
Close and then restart Skype for the changes to take effect.
- The steps to set up port forwarding on your router may vary depending on the make and model of the device. Review your product manual if you have any difficulty opening the appropriate port.
- For the best results, open the UDP port in Windows Firewall and on your router.
- Depending on your model of router, you may need to select an option such as "Add Custom Service" to access the page where you can create a new rule.
- If your network adapter is configured to obtain an IP address automatically, modify the adapter settings to use a static IP instead. Right-click "Wi-Fi" in Network and Sharing Center and then select "Properties." Double-click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP)" and then select "Use the Following IP Address." Type your IP address, subnet mask (most routers use "255.255.255.0" for the subnet mask) and default gateway (the router IP address) into the appropriate fields. Click "OK" to confirm your changes and close each window.
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