How to Port Forward a Netgear Router with Genie Firmware

Last updated: March 10, 2026

If you’re trying to access a device on your network from outside your home or office, port forwarding is required. If you do not port forward your router, you will only be able to access your device on the internal network.

What You’ll Learn in This Article

  • What port forwarding does and why it’s required for remote access
  • How to log into your Netgear router using the default gateway
  • Where and how to configure port forwarding in Genie firmware
  • How to test your setup using your hostname and port number

Step-by-step Configuration

Step 1: Login to the Netgear router via the default gateway address.

Step 2: Select “Advanced” and then “Port Forwarding/Port Triggering.”

Netgear Genie firmware Advanced Setup menu with Port Forwarding

Step 3: Select “Add Custom Service.” 

Alt text: Netgear Genie firmware Port Forwarding configuration screen displaying custom service table with external and internal port fields

Step 4: Enter a Device Name, Starting Port, End Port, and IP Address. Select “TCP/UDP” under Protocol.  

Genie firmware Add Custom Service screen showing service name, TCP/UDP selection, port range settings, and internal IP address configuration

You should now be able to connect to your device via a web browser. Simply enter your hostname followed by the port number into the address bar. For example http://hostname.ddns.net:8000