Games for Windows - LIVE: Description of Firewall Ports you must open to connect to LIVE

Article ID: 937424 - View products that this article applies to.
Important This article contains information about editing and modifying that shows you how to help lower your security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. None of these changes should have any serious implications, but if you are unsure we recommend consulting your firewall support before making these changes.
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SUMMARY

This article describes the ports that you must open in your router or gateway and in Microsoft Windows Firewall to play a Games for Windows - LIVE game.
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MORE INFORMATION

Verify that your router is LIVE compatible

To review the set of routers that are compatible with the Games for Windows - LIVE service, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/accessories/cablesnetworking/Home
(http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/accessories/cablesnetworking/Home)
If your router is not listed on the Web site, and you are experiencing problems connecting to Games for Windows - LIVE services, you may be able to configure some settings to troubleshoot issues accessing the LIVE server. If the issue continues to occur, contact the manufacturer of the router or gateway for assistance.

Add the Marketplace Application and the Game Title to the Windows Firewall Exceptions list

Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note Do not open a port for a program that you do not recognize.
  1. On Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type wscui.cpl, and then click OK.

    On Windows Vista, click Start
    Collapse this imageExpand this image
    Start button
    , type wscui.cpl, and then press ENTER.
  2. Click Windows Firewall.
  3. On the Exceptions tab, locate the game in the Program and Services list. Click to select the check box to enable that game to connect through the firewall.

    If the game is not listed in this window, you must add the game to the Exceptions list. To do this, click Add Program, and then click Browse. Locate the executable file for the Games for Windows game title, and the Games for Windows LIVE Client, then click Open. For example, by default the executable file for Halo 2 for Vista is installed in the following location:
    C: \Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\Halo2.exe
  4. Click OK three times.

The computer is connected to the Internet

For more information, visit the following Windows Online Help and Support Web site, and then view the "Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall" topic:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/
(http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/)

The computer is not connected to the Internet

For more information, view the "Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall" topic in Windows Help and Support on the computer's hard disk. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start
    Collapse this imageExpand this image
    Start button
    , and then click Help and Support.
  2. In the Search Help box or in the Search online Help box, type Internet, and then click Search Help.
  3. In the list of topics, click Why can’t I connect to the Internet?.
  4. Click the link that best describes the problem that you are experiencing.
  5. Follow the suggestions to troubleshoot the problem that you are experiencing.
Note An Internet connection is required for Games for Windows – LIVE to function normally. Refer to Windows Help for any issues relating to no Internet connectivity. You may be able to create an offline profile to play a Games for Windows LIVE title, however to activate the game or to access LIVE, you will need internet access.

Port listings for Games for Windows - LIVE

If you do not use the Windows Firewall program, you can still open the ports that are used by the game when you configure the network. To make sure that these ports are open, or to open these ports, contact the network administrator or the Internet service provider (ISP). If you are the administrator of the network, see the documentation that is provided with your networking software to determine how to open these ports. The following list explains the port configuration specifications for the game:
  • Port forwarding must be enabled on the TCP port 80.
  • Port forwarding must be enabled on the UDP and TCP port 3074.
  • Port forwarding must be enabled on the UDP port 88
  • Port forwarding must be enabled on the UDP and TCP port 53
  • Port forwarding must be enabled on the TCP port 443
For more details on port forwarding and how to open firewall ports, refer to your networking devices owner’s manual, or contact your router or gateway manufacturer for further assistance.
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Properties

Article ID: 937424 - Last Review: June 5, 2012 - Revision: 7.0
APPLIES TO
  • Games for Windows - LIVE
  • Microsoft Halo 2 for Windows Vista
  • Microsoft Gears of War (PC)
  • Microsoft Shadowrun (PC)
  • Microsoft Viva Pinata (PC)
  • Xbox
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