How to Open Ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in 2025

Cybersecurity by Salman Mir on July 4, 2025 add comment 700 Views 6 min read

Table of Contents:

Imagine you are fully immersed in one of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3‘s 1v1 situation, and as you are about to take a shot, you experience lag! Next thing you know, everyone in your team is shouting and losing their minds.

After experiencing things like things, many gamers in 2025 decided to open ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to improve their connection quality while reducing lag and NAT issues. Whether you are looking to open ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on your PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, this guide has everything you should know about it.

Define Port Forwarding

It’s a networking technique that makes your internet traffic go through a specific device or service. In your network, opening certain ports will let you access services on an outside network with enhanced connectivity. This makes port forwarding an ideal technique for gaming, streaming, and web hosting.

Why is Port Forwarding Necessary for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty enthusiasts must know that Modern Warfare 3 version utilizes P2P (peer-to-peer) connections in the multiplayer lobbies. So naturally, you need a fast internet connection. By opening ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, you can also fix NAT type issue which in turn provides the following outcomes:

Faster Matchmaking
Reduced disconnections/improved connection stability
Uninterrupted gameplay and voice chat
Play with the gamers with other NAT types

Why is Port Forwarding Necessary for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

How to Open Ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

To set up port forwarding for Call of Duty MW3, you need the following things:

Your internet router’s IP address: You can find it simply by running a Router Detector, one of the feature available in your computer under Network Utilities tools.
IP address of your gaming console (PC, Xbox, PS).
Ports that needs to be forwarded i.e TCP and UDP.

Once you have all those things, you can simply follow these steps to get it done:

Go to your router’s panel on a web browser.
Find the port forwarding section.
You may be required to enter the IP address of PC or gaming console.
Enter the respective TCP and UDP ports for MW3 in your router.
Restart the router to Apply Changes.

What Ports do I need to forward for COD Modern Warfare 3

The ports you need to forward for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 based on your gaming device.

For Steam

TCP: 27015, 27036

UDP: 3074, 27015, 27031-27036

For PC

TCP: 3074, 4000, 6112-6119, 20500, 20510, 27014-27050, 28960

UDP: 3074, 3478, 4379-4380, 6112-6119, 20500, 20510, 27000-27031, 27036, 2896

For PS4

TCP: 3478-3480

UDP: 3074, 3478-3479

For PS5

TCP: 3478-3480

UDP: 3074, 3478-3479

For Xbox One

TCP: 3074

UDP: 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

For Xbox Series X

TCP: 3074

UDP: 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

Use a VPN to Open Ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

If you find opening ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on your router challenging, you can use a VPN with Port Forwarding add-on that simplifies this process further.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to forward ports in few clicks only and delivers the same outcome as mentioned above. With enhanced connection stability and no-lag during gaming, you’ll be playing multiplayer games like never before.

Port forward through a VPN with these steps:

Subscribe to the VPN with Port Forwarding add-on like Ivacy VPN.
Go to the Ivacy VPN dashboard and find the Port Forwarding section.
Note the desired port and put them in the section.
Conect to the VPN server that supports port forwarding with COD MW3.
Save the settings, and restart the router.
Configure the firewall by going to Control Panel and open firewall settings. Allow the permission for the desired TCP and UDP ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. On a gaming console, you can simply do this by checking your NAT Type that should be Open or Moderate.
You are ready to go!

Benefits of Using a Port Forwarding VPN for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Ivacy VPN Port Forwarding add-on is ideal for many scenarios and not just to improve connection speed.

It allows you to open and close ports for any device and any app.
You can bypass CGNAT after which you can host games and other services
Avail VPN services and port forwarding perk at the same time.
Boost your downloading and uploading speed during crucial tasks.

Conclusion – Open ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in 2025

To spend quality time playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, we recommend using a port forwarding VPN because it’s not only the most reliable method to open ports for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. With Ivacy VPN, you can connect to your devices from any location. Its encrypted tunnel enables a completely secure gaming and browsing experience. Plus, the port forwarding add-on is a must-hace feature for ardent COD gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does port forwarding help gaming?

Yes, port forwarding allow gamers to communicate with the gaming servers directly on their devices without encountering disconnectivity or stability error.

Do I need MW2 for DMZ?

There is no need for Modern Warfare 2 for Demilitarized Zone configuration because DMZ is not utilized in any game or device but is a feature available to many routers.

How do I allow MW2 through my firewall?

Follow these steps to allow MW2 through your firewalls:

Go to Windows Security.
Navigate Firewall & Network Protection.
Select “Allow an app through the firewall”.
From the list, select MW2.
Enable both Public and Private network access.
Save changes.

What port should I use for Forwarding?

Every application and service that you are using has different port forwarding options. For example, forwarding port 25 is for sending emails.