How to Check if a Port Is Open on Windows or Mac (2024)

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Co-authored byLuigi Oppidoand Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: March 12, 2024Fact Checked

Easy Ways to Identify Open Ports

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1. 1

   Enable Telnet for Windows. You can use Telnet to check if a certain port is open on your local router or access point. Here's how to enable it:^[1]

   • Type windows features in to the search bar. If you don't see the search bar, click the circle or magnifying glass to the right of the Start menu.
   • Click Turn Windows features on or off.
   • Check the box next to Telnet Client and click OK.
   • Click Close when the app is finished installing.
2. 

   2

   Open a command prompt. Here's how to open the command prompt:

   • Type cmd into the Windows search bar.
   • Click Command prompt in the search results.

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3. 3

   Type ipconfig at the prompt and press ↵ Enter. This displays a bunch of network information.

4. 4

   Write down the router's IP address. The address that appears next to "Default Gateway" in the ipconfig results is the local address of your router.

5. 5

   Type telnet at the prompt and press ↵ Enter. This opens the Microsoft Telnet prompt.

6. 6

   Type open (router's IP address) (port number). For example, if you wanted to see if port 25 is open on your router, and your router's IP address is 10.0.0.1, you would type open 10.0.0.1 25.

7. 

   7

   See Also

   Types of Nmap scans and best practices | TechTargetAn Introduction to NMAP | SANS InstituteWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of using Nmap for network mapping and enumeration?Reconnaissance in Cybersecurity: Types & Prevention

   Press ↵ Enter. Telnet will try to connect to the port.

   • If you see a message that says "Please press Enter" or "Press any key to continue," the port is open.
   • If you see a message that says "Could not open connection," the port is not open.

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1. 

   1

   Open a Terminal window. To open a Terminal window, open Spotlight by clicking the magnifying glass at the top-right corner of the screen, type terminal, and then click Terminal in the search results.

   • Use this method to see if a port is open on your local router or access point.
2. 2

   Type netstat -nr | grep default at the prompt and press ⏎ Return. The router's IP address appears next to "default" at the top of the results.

3. 3

   Type nc -vz (your router's IP address) (port). For example, if you wanted to see if port 25 is open on your router, and your router's IP address is 10.0.0.1, you would type nc -vz 10.0.0.1 25.

4. 4

   Press ⏎ Return. Here's how to interpret the results:

   • If the port is open, you'll see a message that says the connection succeeded.
   • If the port is closed, you'll see a message that says the connection was refused or timed out.

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1. 

   1

   Open Windows search and type firewall. If the search bar is not already open, click the circle or magnifying glass to the right of the Start menu to open it.^[2]

   • Use this method if you want to see if Windows is set up to allow an app you've installed to communicate through your firewall.
   • The Windows firewall is enabled by default. If you've installed your own firewall software, use that software to check if an app is allowed through.
2. 2

   Click Windows Defender Firewall. This opens your Firewall and Network Protection settings.

3. 3

   Click Allow an app through firewall. It's one of the text links near the bottom of the window. A list of apps allowed through the firewall will appear.

   • If the app is allowed through the firewall only when you're connected to a network you've marked as "private" (such as when you're on your home network), a check will appear in the "Private" column next to the app.
   • If the app is allowed through the firewall when you're connected to a public network, a check will appear in the "Public" column.
4. 

   4

   Allow an unlisted app or port through the firewall. If you don't see the app on the "Allowed apps and features" list, click the Change Settings button at the top-right corner, and then follow these steps:^[3]

   • Click Allow another app near the bottom.
   • Click Browse, select the app, and then click Open.
   • Click Network Types near the bottom-left corner, select a privacy preference, and then click OK.
   • Click Add to add the app, and then click OK.

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1. 1

   Go to https://www.canyouseeme.org in a web browser. You can use it to see if a port on your computer or network is accessible on the internet. The website will automatically detect your IP address and display it in the "Your IP" box.^[4]

   • There are many different sites you can use to check for an open port. Search for "open port check tool" in your favorite search engine to find an alternative, if desired.^[5]
2. 

   2

   Enter the port. Type the port you want to check (e.g., 22 for SSH) into the "Port to Check" box.^[6]

3. 

   See Also

   How to Use Nmap | UpGuard

   3

   Click Check Port. If the port is open and available, you'll see a confirmation message. If not, you'll see a message that says "Error: I could not see your service on (your IP address) on port (the port number)."^[7]

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1. 1

   Click the

   menu and select System Preferences. The Mac firewall is not enabled by default.^[8]

2. 2

   Click Security & Privacy. It's the house icon on the top row.

3. 

   3

   Click the Firewall tab. It's near the top-center part of the window.

   • If you see the message "Firewall:On" near the top of the tab, this means your firewall is active.
   • If the firewall is not active but you want it to be, click the padlock icon at the bottom-left part of the window, enter your administrator password, and then click Turn On Firewall.
4. 

   4

   Click Firewall Options. This opens your settings, including a list of apps and services set to either allow or disallow incoming connections.^[9]

   • If an app or service has a green dot and the text "Allow incoming connections," that means its port is open.
   • If you see a red dot that says "Block incoming connections," the port is closed.
   • You can toggle whether a port is allowed or not allowed by clicking the double-arrow icon next to the app's current status, and choosing an option.

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