Online Play: Direct Help
Contents
- Opening Ports to Make the Game Work (Fixing the problem!)
- If you have a Router
- Test if your ports are open right now!
Port Information
Worms 4: Mayhem requires a number of Network Ports to be open for data transmission
(communication with Gamespy Lobby, text transfer, game data connections and such). If these
ports are not open then you may experience any or all of the following; Inability to host games,
inability to see games, inability to join games, inability to complete games.
Please note that if you have a router or external firewall (i.e. one not on your system) then these ports are likely to need opening on the router too, if problems persist as opening them on your local (system) firewall are not always likely to fix any issues you may be experiencing.
The ports that the game requires to be open are as follows:
TCP Ports
- TCP 80 (outgoing data only)
- TCP 5911
- TCP 6667
- TCP 28900
- TCP 29900
- TCP 29901
And for UDP
- UDP 5911
- UDP 6500
- UDP 13139
- UDP 27900
Opening Ports on your firewall
To open the ports, also known as "exceptions", you must open your firewall software (this may be
XP Windows Firewall, in the control panel or security centre, pictured below) or whatever
alternative software you may be using such as Zone Alarm, Tiny Firewall, Norton Internet
Security, etc.
You will find an Exceptions/Ports tab and click this. You can then enter the information to open the ports. In this case, Windows Firewall has been used as an example under Windows XP.
Above: Windows Firewall is opened, the Exceptions (Ports) tab is opened and the port for TCP 5911 is added and OK is pressed. You need to do this for all the ports mentioned in the text prior to the images.
I don't know if I have a firewall - how do I find out?
You are likely to have a firewall if;
- You are connected to a company, educational or large network. Contact the administrator.
- Your computer is part of a network of a number of computers in the immediate area. Contact the administrator.
- You have a router attached. Talk to whoever installed the router or consult the router manual.
- You are running Windows XP (with Service Pack 2). See the above section using Windows Firewall.
- You are using the family PC which is maintained by someone who knows PC's very well. Discuss opening the ports with that person.
- You have seen warnings about data connections (Ports and/or proxies).
- You can see a shield or similar logo on the tool tray on the bottom right side of your Windows screen. Different programs use different logos, hover your mouse over them to see what they are. A Firewall may be hidden so use the < button to reveal hidden programs.
You are less likely to have a firewall if;
- You are connecting via dial up.
- It's your own PC, not on a network, via a cable modem - and you have not installed or seen a firewall on your system. In which case, you should consider installing one or upgrading to Windows XP with SP2.
- You use games or services on the Internet and have never seen a warning message about allowing data connections to your Network.
I have a router, what now?
If you do not maintain the router hardware/software yourself, then contact the person who did or
someone who is comfortable editing the router settings. In all cases, please discuss this with
the person who is responsible for the PC and the router and/or suitably qualified to perform the
task.
The router settings are usually configurable through an interface using your browser. You need to find the page that allows you to add exceptions/open ports (like the example for Windows Firewall) and enter the port details as listed earlier. The information to reach your router settings will be in the manual and documentation for it, although a good source of information is available at www.portforward.com.
Follow the routers links on that website and see the examples for other programs as to how you can input the port information for your router.
Common misconception: Turning the firewall completely off on the router may not be enough and is not recommended. Neither is the need to turn DMZ on - which effectively exposes your PC to the Internet. You should also not need to set up a static IP address for your PC in order for the game to work.
What's a router?
A router is a piece of hardware, usually a small box, which accepts the direct Internet
connection and passes this onto a number of other PC's on a local network. This can be either
with network cable or via WIFI (wireless connection). If you can't see a router nearby, it may
be concealed.
How do I know if I have a router? I might have a router!
If your internet connection comes direct from a cable modem/set-top box nearby, then you don't
have a router.
If your PC is one of a number of nearby PC's on a network that shares an Internet connection, you most likely will have a router installed. Please contact the person who maintains the network.
If your PC is connected to an Internet socket in the wall, it's likely that a router is attached. In this case, you need to contact the person who maintains the network.
I cannot access my router, what now?
If you think you have a router and cannot get access, then contact the person who administers
the network.
I've tried everything with ports and I still can't host.
Unfortunately there are occasions whereby we can't cover every possible configuration. In this
case, it's best to settle for being able to join and enjoy games that way.
Testing that your ports are open.
- To test that your ports are open, please visit this web site: (Shields UP) https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
- Click proceed.
- On the next page, down the page, centrally, under Shields Up services, there is an input box.
- Please enter 5911 into this box.
- Then click on the "User Specified Custom Port Probe" button to the left under this box. A test will take place.
If the test comes back with FAILED then you are ok. If it comes back PASSED, it means this port is closed and needs opening. Until this reports FAILED you will continue to have problems.
