Fixing the "Ports are open" problem (D-Link / DWR-116)

Note: If you cannot fix the problem after you follow these instructions, maybe we can help. Get help from RouterCheck Support.

Understanding the "Ports are open" problem

Opening a port on your router (also called "forwarding a port") means that a port on a device inside your network is forwarded to a port on your router. This enables computers outside your network to access resources on computers in your network. You may want to do this for the following reasons:

Some games want you to open a port to enable some features.
A networked storage device may allow you to access your files from anywhere if you open a port.
A computer in your home may be remotely administered if you open a port.

Opening a port on your router is risky. Your computer resources are available to the world. Only the security system running on the service you're exposing is keeping the bad guys out. We strongly recommend that you not open any ports on your router unless you truly understand the implications and take the correct precautions.

What is the risk of not fixing this problem?

Allowing ports to remain open on your router invites trouble. Hackers can easily scan your network to look for open ports. When they find open ports, they try to exploit them. A hacker who enters your network through an open port can then access more resources on your network.

If a port is open on your router and you don't know how it was opened, you may have other network security problems. Recommendation: Review all the security aspects of all devices running in your home network.

Vendor Documentation

Often, it's a good idea to look through the router's documentation to learn how to fix problems. Go to the vendor's support site where you can download documentation.

How to fix the "Ports are open" problem

Step 1: Log into your router

You use a web browser to interact with your router and fix its configuration problems. However, before you can interact with your browser, you must log into it. RouterCheck can give you detailed instructions for logging in to your router.

Step 2: If you log in successfully, your router's home page opens.

Step 3: Navigate to the Ports page.

You want to find a page that enables you to open ports on your router. The page name may be similar to:

Port Settings
Firewall
Port Forwarding

Navigate to this page by clicking the appropriate menu items and buttons.

Step 4: If you are successful, your router's Ports page opens.

Step 5: Remove any open ports.

Look for a list of ports that have been forwarded from a device on your network to your router. The list contains the IP address of the forwarding device and the relevant port. Check whether there is a control for deleting the open port. If there is, then delete it.

Step 6: Re-run RouterCheck.

Now that you've fixed your problem, run RouterCheck again to verify that you have really fixed the problem.