Actiontec C3000A Port Forwarding

1.Open up the Actiontec C3000A Router Login

Actiontec C3000A Router IP Address: http://192.168.0.1 Open link

(Make sure you're connected to your home network to do this)

Login to the admin panel of Actiontec C3000A router by copy-pasting the default username and password (given below) in the dialog box that pops up:

Default username of Actiontec C3000A:
Default password of Actiontec C3000A:

Do not panic if the login credentials fail. You can easily reset the Actiontec C3000A router by pressing and holding the reset button with a clip for about 15 seconds. Retry the credentials again and voila, you are in. Give yourself a pat on the back, you have completed the hardest steps without any hassle on your Actiontec C3000A Router.

3.Assign a static IP address to your gaming console / laptop / end-device

By default, every time your gaming console reboots it gets a new local IP. So, the first step is to assign a FIXED IP / Static IP address to the device that is requesting a port forward from Actiontec C3000A Router.

Navigate through the router's admin panel and look for "DHCP Reservations", Click on DHCP Reservations and assign a static local ip address for your gaming console or end-device and make a note a note of the ip address.

4.Navigate to the port forwarding section of Actiontec C3000A router

If you have followed me so far, you are now staring at the Actiontec C3000A router’s homepage. Here's what you do next:

Quick tip: Port forwarding for dummies

When you move in to a new apartment, you need a new mailbox fixed so you can receive mail and your monthly beauty magazines. Similarly, for your device to receive incoming traffic, you will have to create a new port forwarding rule on your Actiontec C3000A Router. That is going to be our very last step. Stick with me now, you've done great so far, Better yet ⭐ Bookmark this page, it always helps.

5.Create port forwarding rule on your Actiontec C3000A router

Follow the below steps, (the steps might slightly vary based on your model)

Click on "Add New" / "Create" buttons to create a new port forwarding rule on Actiontec C3000A Router
Application name / Description: Enter the name of the program. Eg. Xbox, ps2, Minecraft, Xbox One. Note: This is only for your reference.
Enter the static ip address of the device that we created in step 3 of this guide
Enter the port to forward. (Enter the same port if you don’t have a range)
Choose TCP / UDP on your Actiontec C3000A Router. (Choose both if you are not sure)
If you see a field called “External IP addresses“ enter 0.0.0.0 in it
Make sure “Enable” Checkbox is selected if available on your Actiontec C3000A Router
Click Save when you are finished

And that's it. You have successfully enabled port forwarding on your Actiontec C3000A Router. Let's go ahead and perform a few tests to ensure we haven't goofed up.

6.Testing the port forwarding entries on your Actiontec C3000A router

Now that you have created a port forward on Actiontec C3000A Router, let us test the port forwarding setup from your game server or end application.

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off; you have now successfully setup port forwarding for your Actiontec C3000A router. You can now host private game servers or effortlessly access your IP camera from the outside world.
Just to be safe, go ahead and ⭐ Bookmark this page.

7. Remember to close unused ports on Actiontec C3000A Router

With all the modern firewalls, its absolutely safe to do port forwarding. But just keep in mind to review and close unused ports often or at least once every 6 months! on your Actiontec C3000A.

Time for a bulletin on the fridge, folks! We can remind you, though? Enter your email below! Nope, we are not spammers!

Actiontec C3000A Port forwarding not working ?

You tried bending your knees up, but still facing problem with Port forwarding on Actiontec C3000A? Well, there’s a reason, Wise men said “The opposite of Networking is Not Working”. So, it does take some trial and error to get it working.

Here let’s go through the common port forwarding issues and problems on Actiontec C3000A Router and how to fix them.

1.You may be behind more than one router

More often than not, your computer connects to your home router(Actiontec C3000A) which then connects to your internet service provider's router before connecting to the internet(port forwarding through 2 routers). To find out, log in to your Actiontec C3000A Router and check the IP address on the status page. If it is not the same as your external IP address (a quick Google search of ‘what is my IP’ should help) then your Actiontec C3000A is not the internet facing router. If that’s the case, you may need to login to the first router and enable DMZ for the second router’s (Actiontec C3000A) IP Address.

2.Did you enable static IP on your devices that’s requesting port forward on your Actiontec C3000A router

Yes, we're repeating a step here we know, but it's imperative you're sure. If your IP changes every time you reboot your PC/console, it means the network setting is still set to dynamic. Follow step 1 in this guide, reboot your device and confirm the IP hasn't changed. Now you're good to go. (In few cases, though the static IP is enabled correctly, a reboot may be required for proper IP recycling. Well, Reboot does work) Ofcourse, Port forwarding does work without static ip, But once you turn off your device you may lose the IP and will not receive any incoming traffic from Actiontec C3000A Router

3.Verify that you entered correct IP Address on port forwarding in Actiontec C3000A

Log in to the Port forwarding section of your Actiontec C3000A router and verify the IP entered is correct. First understand which end device will use this port (XBOX / PS3 / PS4 / PC / IP Camera) and enter the IP Address of that device.
Note: If your Actiontec C3000A Router says that have you to choose your computer's name from dropdown box for the port forwarding rule instead of an IP address, make sure there are no duplicate computer names and you have chosen the right one.

4.Check the External IP addresses field in the port forwarding rule of Actiontec C3000A Router

Check if Actiontec C3000A Router has a field called “External IP address” in the port forwarding section. Make sure you Enter "0.0.0.0" in the External IP address fields.
External IP addresses are not entered unless you are restricting access from specific WAN addresses. You also would not enter LAN IPs or your own public IP.

5.Double check / tweak your Actiontec C3000A Firewall settings

In this age, cyber security is of utmost importance. Some router developers are producing routers with more built-in firewall. While this is definitely a positive, some of these options could restrict incoming connections even if a port forwarding rule is set on Actiontec C3000A Router. Thankfully we programmers are a humble lot. Routers come with excellent information on the help page and a quick glance should tell you which settings need to be modified/disabled. Usually, you can just set the firewall settings to its minimum settings on Actiontec C3000A Router. And don’t worry, your computer will continue to be protected.

6.Check your PC Firewall settings allows incoming port traffic from Actiontec C3000A Router

Your Windows / Mac / Linux firewall / antivirus could be blocking connections.
You need only one Antivirus and Firewall application. Make sure you turn windows firewall “ON” and that no other firewall is installed. Then try adding the ports to the firewall app, not just the program that is going to use them
If you're using a 3rd party Antivirus solution, check if it has a built-in firewall as part of the antivirus solution. A quick look at the apps homepage should give you a clue.

7. Using the same port in different port forwarding rules of the Actiontec C3000A router

port is your home network’s doorway and can be forwarded to only one Computer/IP at a time. Ensure you didn’t type-in the same port in multiple forwarding rules on your Actiontec C3000A Router.

8. Is DMZ Enabled on your Actiontec C3000A router?

DMZ is an 'open all ports' rule. On most routers, this rule simply overrides port forwarding rules. You may want to disable DMZ and give it another go.

9. Reboot Actiontec C3000A after adding port forwarding rules

Some routers, like most application, need to be rebooted after settings have been applied or changed. A simple tweak in the regular power cycling (Why am I trying to impress you? Unplug the power cord and shove it back in is all I'm saying) helps with most issues.

10. Did You Hard Reset your Actiontec C3000A Router?

A factory reset is an easy way to uninstall unwanted mods, updates, and clear out custom settings on your Actiontec C3000A Router. Resetting Actiontec C3000A will set it back to its initial condition, just like it was when you bought it. Now, let’s give it another go

11. Tried everything but no luck? Time to visit the showroom.

Last but definitely not the least, your Actiontec C3000A Router could be faulty. Although a rarity in todays 'customer satisfaction' era, it is still a possibility. There have been cases where single pieces of equipment or an entire range of models have had bugs in their firmware (programmers are human too). Your first step will be to look for a firmware update, which is likely to have a bug fix. If this doesn't help or if there's no update available, you have earned the right to barge in to your dealer's office and request for, nay, demand for a new model!

Is your home wifi secure ? Use this Actiontec C3000A Checklist to make it bullet proof

Who needs port forwarding on Actiontec C3000A router?

We wrote this port forwarding guide (Mac / Windows / Linux) to help you to setup,

Port forwarding to Xbox / Xbox one from Actiontec C3000A router
Port forwarding to PS3 / PS4 from Actiontec C3000A router
Port forwarding for Minecraft server on Actiontec C3000A router
Port forwarding for utorrent on Actiontec C3000A router
Port forwarding for IP cameras, SQL Server, FTP Server, SSH Clients, IpTables on Actiontec C3000A router