Not being connectable in most cases is due to two things: you either haven't opened your ports on your router or you are being blocked by your firewall.


For those using a router (if you have multiple computers connected to the internet you probably are) you must configure the router to port-forward your ports. This can be cut down to two main steps:
  • Assigning a static IP to you PC
  • Actually configuring the router
    For those you do not have a router go to Step 8, steps 1-7 are only needed if you have a router.

    A great guide can be found at: www.portforward.com, I will cover the static IP part here, steps 1-5 explain how to set up a static IP. Steps 6-8 cover port-forwarding.

    A static IP means that your IP doesn't change every time your computer restarts.

  • Step 1

    Go to Start-->run and type cmd and hit enter. You should end up with this:


  • Step 2

    In the new window type ipconfig/all and hit enter. This is about what you should get:


  • Step 3

    Now you have to write down the Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and the two DNS servers address'. Note: If like in my case you only have one for DNS servers don't worry just write it down...

  • Step 4

    We are now going to configure your connection to a static IP. Go to Control Panel-->Network Connections. Right click on your Wireless area connection or Local area connection, depending on how you are connected to your router, and click Properties. Things should like this:


  • Step 5

    In the new window click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then Properties


    A new window will appear, click Use the following IP Address and now enter the numbers you wrote down in the relevant spaces. You should have written down four sets of numbers. Note: for those like me who had only one DNS server address just leave the last one blank. Now your IP address bar should be the only one left, fill the first three blanks with the same numbers as your Default Gateway but change the last blank into something else. For example 7, but it can be anything really...
    Click OK twice to confirm everything, you should lose connectivity for a moment and then be able to connect again. There you are you now have a static IP :-)

    If otherwise stay calm something must have gone wrong, simply go back to the Internet Protocol configuration and click on Obtain an IP address automatically.

  • Step 6

    If you have a router you are likely to have several computers, if you want to be connectable on every computer simply repeat the process but assign a different IP Address to each computer.

    We now have to forward the ports on your router:

  • Step 7
    This process depends on the brand of the router explaining this step with my model could be fruitless for your setup, a great guide for every model can be found at: http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/r... you simply have to select your router brand and model, then the programm you want to be port-forwarded in this case your client(like utorrent orAzureus) you then have to specify which port you want port-forwarded. It is suggested that you take a high number like 65534 because of port blacklisting.

  • Step 8

    For utorrent users

    We now need to tell your client which port he has to send data through. For utorrent, go to Options-->Preferences-->Connection and enter the port number you specified in the router portforwarding setup.


    For Azureus users

    It's the same idea, go to tools-->options-->connections and enter the value you selected for your router in the correct field.


    Ok this takes care of the router problem, now for the firewall part.

  • Step 9

    I will be using the windows firewall, for those using anything else browse the web for info on how it's done but the idea is pretty much the same.

    Go to Control Panel-->Security center click on windows firewall we have to add your client to the exceptions of programms not to be blocked by the firewall.In the Exceptions tab click Add Programm if your client is not listed click Browse and search for your client ans select it.


    Click OK twice to confirm everything.

    There you are! If everything is done properly you should be connectable on the site :-) if you aren't there is an underlying problem, ask for help in the forums or on IRC.

    One last thing, if you happen to have a ADSL connection and you require a modem to which your router is connected and you have followed this guide step by step to no avail you might have to try a nd configure your modem to work in bridged mode. Configuring a modem is like configuring the router, contact your ISP or check their technical support to see how to reach the modem set-up page. In some casses it can be reached by entering your IP in your web browser's address bar. Your IP address can be found at www.whatismyip.com.