Why Is Google WiFi Port Forwarding Not Working? Complete Fix Guide

If the Google WiFi port forwarding not working, then you have found the best guide to learning everything you need to know and solve your issue.

Here we’ll discuss ALL possible causes and provide you with solutions that users share are really helpful.

Google WiFi port forwarding may not be working if your WiFi router is out of date or there is an issue with the wiring. The issue might also be with the priority device in your configuration, WAN IP address, or a temporal power malfunction with the ports.

Let’s guess no further and take a look at the most frequently reported causes by users that managed to get their issue solved.

Why Port Forwarding Not Working Google WiFi?

Users report that the most frequent cause for not working Google WiFi port forwarding is an inbound issue with the configuration.

In other words, if you haven’t set up the correct traffic flow between your devices and their ports, you might end up with non-working port forwarding.

This is a small list describing each possibility and what it means:

1. Port Forwarding Not Set Up

If your port forwarding isn’t working on Google WiFi, it is most likely due to the reason you haven’t set it up correctly in the options tab.

2. Firmware

Outdated firmware on your Google WiFi router might as well cause interferences with the forwarding of ports.

3. Wiring Issue

Another frequent cause for the port forwarding not to work is technical or hardware issues with the wirings and cable connections in your configuration.

4. WAN Interface Problem

A WAN that is not set up to be a public address, can actively impact the port forwarding of your network.

Priority Device Issue

At last, a potential issue with the priority device itself might heavily impact the port forwarding’s functionality.

Your problem is most likely to be related to one of the above-described problems. Next, we’ll address each of them and hopefully solve your problem as soon as possible.

How To Fix Google WiFi Port Forwarding Not Working?

Before we proceed, we recommend performing a router restart just to justify that the problem is not related to a temporary OS glitch.

In case a simple restart makes no difference, you can start applying the solutions in the order that they are listed.

Solution #1 Hard Reset Your Router

Unlike a simple reboot, the hard reset will actively discharge your device of any remaining electricity and remove temporal power malfunctions that could have developed over time.

If you don’t know how a hard reset is done, follow the steps below:

1. Unplug your router device’s power adapter from the outlet.
2. Wait for 5 minutes straight while the device is unplugged.
3. Plug the power adapter back into the source and turn on your device.

We recommend using a direct wall outlet power source to avoid possible issues with your strips or dividers. In case the hard reset didn’t help, let’s look for the issue elsewhere.

Solution #2 Enable Bridge Mode

Users reported that enabling the bridge mode might get your Google WiFi’s port forwarding going.

Since very few routers are not equipped with a bridge mode, you should find the feature pretty easy in your router’s app.

In addition, bridge mode works well when you have more than one router in your household and this will greatly optimize the port forwarding of your network.

We recommend keeping the bridge mode always active while setting up port forwarding for the future.

How To Enter Router Settings?

Most router models have a mobile application that you can download and log in using the default credentials (admin/admin or admin/password).

Another way to access your router would be via web browser by accessing: 192.168.0.1

Solution #3 Re-Set The Port Forwarding Of Your Google WiFi

If your Google WiFi port forwarding isn’t working, there is a pretty good chance that you haven’t set it up correctly.

This can come as a result of a factory reset after you change your IP address or other network-related information.

Here is how to configure the port forwarding:

1. Open the Google Home app that you have installed.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi and go to Advanced Networking.
3. Click on Port management and tap on “Add”.
4. Select the appropriate tab for the device you will be forwarding.
5. Click on the device and add your external ports.
6. Choose (TCP) or (UDP) protocols for different data sent over the internet.
7. Save the whole process by clicking on the “Save” button.

Once you’re done, your network will immediately begin port forwarding to all devices in your network.

Keep in mind that if you haven’t added the device you want to the port management tab, it won’t work during the port forwarding.

Solution #4 Update The Firmware

If your Google WiFi port forwarding is not working even with the correct setup, it is possible that your WiFi router’s firmware is outdated.

This can cause severe interference with the port forwarding since this whole process is built on a specific firmware version and if your devices are not up to date, everything can fall apart.

To update your router’s firmware, take a look at the steps down below:

1. Open the committed router app or enter via web browser (described in solution #2).
2. Locate the “System” or “Firmware version” tab and open it.
3. Click on “Check For Updates” or “Locate New Firmware” for your phone to start searching.
4. Once the search is done, apply the new updates by clicking on the buttons once.

Your router will now begin an update and will soon contain the newest available firmware.

Note: If you’re using a Google router, you can apply the new update scripts from the Google Home app.

Solution #5 Inspect The Cable Connections

Another major cause for not working port forwarding is technical or hardware issues with the cable connections.

If one of your Ethernet cables or the Internet cable itself has been damaged, this will disrupt the port forwarding as well as other crucial functions of your network.

To inspect all cable connections and perform maintenance, follow these steps:

1. Check all cables for visual hardware damage and replace the faulty ones.
2. Clean any dust particles on the cable port entries.
3. Switch cables sides.
4. Ensure the cable’s position is straight (not under pressure).
5. Ensure all cables are plugged in tightly and positioned correctly.

If you’ve got a replacement Ethernet cable you can put it to use right away. At least this way you’ll exclude this as a possible cause.

Solution #6 Choose New Priority Device

If something wrong happened with your priority device, this could have been the reason for your port forwarding not working.

To fix the issue, you must choose a new priority device which is done through the Google Home app.

Follow these steps to choose a new priority device:

1. Go to the Google Home app.
2. Go to the settings tab within the app.
3. Toggle OFF the cloud services for 10 seconds and after the seconds have passed, turn it ON again.
4. Go back to the settings tab and click on priority device.
5. Click on Add a priority device or create a new one with app specifications.

When you add the priority device, the port forwarding should work. If, however, it is still not working as it should then there might be a hardware problem with your device.

Read Next: Why Is Google WiFi Point Flashing Orange?

Bottom Line:

To fix the port forwarding of Google WiFi, first hard reset your router, inspect all cable connections and choose a new or existing priority device. Then, update the firmware of your router and enable the bridge mode.

Now that you know why Google WiFi port forwarding not working, you should be able to resolve the problem at home without any difficulties.

In case you’re experiencing other network issues that you need to take care of, the many posts in our blog should be able to help!