How to Use UPnP on a Router

How you activate UPnP depends on the router you have. The first step is the same for most router brands: log in as an admin. What follows depends on your specific router:

NETGEAR

Some NETGEAR routers, such as the Nighthawk M1, store the UPnP option elsewhere. Find Advanced Settings > Other, and then a box you can check from the UPnP section.

Advertisement Period: Type the advertisement period in minutes, from 1 to 1440 (24 hours). This determines how often the router broadcasts its UPnP information. The default period is 30 minutes. Choose a shorter duration to better guarantee that control points receive current device status, or pick a longer duration to reduce network traffic. Advertisement Time to Live: Type the advertisement time to live in hops/steps, from 1 to 255. The default value is 4 hops. Increase this value if devices aren’t being communicated with correctly.

Linksys

Following those steps won’t work for all D-Link routers. Try this instead: Open the Tools tab, choose Misc. on the left, select Enabled from the UPnP Settings area on the right, and then press Apply, and then Continue (or Yes or OK) to save.

HUAWEI

Some HUAWEI routers require different steps to use UPnP. If the above isn’t relevant for your device, try one of these directions instead:

Go to Security > UPnP, put a check next to UPnP, and select Submit.The setting toggle might instead be in Settings > Security > UPnP Settings.Go to Network Application > UPnP Configuration, check the box next to Enable UPnP, and select Apply.

ASUS

If those directions don’t apply to your router, try going here: Advanced > Forwarding > UPnP > Enable. Some TP-Link routers don’t require you to open Advanced first. On some routers, you’re looking for the UPnP tab on this step; select Enable from that page.

Google Nest Wifi

Google Fiber

Should I Turn on UPnP on My Router?

UPnP has clear benefits. It speeds up the setup process when using software and devices, such as gaming consoles. Instead of getting into the router settings yourself and enabling this and that port so your Xbox can go online, UPnP lets the Xbox communicate with the router directly to make those exceptions. Universal Plug and Play is also helpful when using printers and other devices which rely on communicating with other devices on your network and the internet. If you use a remote access tool, for example, that functions through specific network ports, you’ll need to open those ports to allow the software to work from outside your network; UPnP makes this simple. A compromised computer could, for example, disguise itself as a printer and send a UPnP request to your router to open a port. The router will respond accordingly, thus opening a tunnel where the hacker can transfer malware, steal your information, etc. Allowing specific ports on a whim is handy, but therefore less safe if an intruder takes advantage of this mechanism. DDoS attacks are another risk you’re opening yourself up to when using UPnP.

Alternative Solution

If you’re concerned about those things, and you’re okay giving up convenience for security, there is an alternative: forward ports on your router manually. It’s a bit more involved than just ticking a box on your router, but if you’re already in your router to check if UPnP is on, you may as well take that opportunity to set up port forwards manually.