how to access my pc on wan
September 29, 2025 in Tips and Tricks
Step 1: Ensure Your PC is Reachable
- Get your Public IP Address
- Search “What is my IP” on Google from your PC.
- This is the address you’ll use to reach your network from outside.
- Check if Your ISP allows inbound connections
- Some ISPs block incoming traffic on common ports (especially on mobile/hotspot internet).
- If blocked, you may need to request a static IP or use a VPN service.
Step 2: Configure Your Router
- Enable Port Forwarding
- Log in to your router’s admin panel.
- Forward the port(s) you need to your PC’s local IP.
- For Remote Desktop (RDP): TCP port
3389. - For SSH: TCP port
22. - For VNC: TCP port
5900.
Example: Forward TCP 3389 → 192.168.1.100:3389.
- Reserve a Static Local IP
- Assign your PC a static IP in router DHCP settings so port forwarding always works.
Step 3: Secure Remote Access
- Windows PC (RDP)
- Enable Remote Desktop:
Settings > System > Remote Desktop > Enable.
- Use your public IP +
:3389 from outside (e.g., 123.45.67.89:3389).
- Change RDP port or use a VPN for security.
- Linux / macOS
- Use SSH (
ssh user@publicIP).
- Or install VNC server and forward port
5900.
Step 4: Make it Reliable
- Dynamic DNS (DDNS)
- If your ISP changes your public IP frequently, use a free DDNS service (like No-IP or DuckDNS).
- This gives you a domain (e.g.,
myhomepc.ddns.net) instead of remembering IP.
- VPN Option (Safer)
- Instead of exposing RDP/SSH directly, set up a VPN server on your router or PC (WireGuard, OpenVPN).
- Connect to VPN, then access your PC like you’re on the LAN.
Example Setup (Windows Remote Desktop over WAN)
- Public IP:
123.45.67.89
- Router Port Forwarding:
TCP 3389 → 192.168.1.100:3389
- On another computer:
- Open Remote Desktop Client.
- Enter
123.45.67.89:3389.
- Log in with your Windows account.
