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Why port-forwarding
To seed content effectively, it is necessary to have some form of port-forwarding enabled. This can vary depending on whether you use a VPN or not and/or what router or firewall you have.
How to port-forward
=== "VPN Service" Please consult your VPN Service and/or your VPN container documentation for specifics.
For Torguard we've created instructions on how to [setup port-forwarding](/Misc/How-to-setup-Torguard-for-port-forwarding/){:target="\_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}.
#### How to Check if Your VPN is Working
Download one of the test .torrents or magnet links from one of the following sites:
- [ipleak.net](https://ipleak.net/){:target="\_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
- [TorGuard's “Check My Torrent IP”](https://torguard.net/checkmytorrentipaddress.php){:target="\_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
Add the magnet link to your torrent client and wait for the results. It should show you a different IP than your WAN IP number. Remember this IP because you will need it to [check if your port is open or closed](#how-to-check-if-a-port-is-open-or-closed).
=== "Router" Please consult your router manual for specifics or check if your router can be found on Port Forward{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}.
How to Check if a Port is Open or Closed
Use the free online Open Port Check Tool{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} to check if your port is open. If you're using a VPN and have forwarded your port with the VPN service, then use the IP you got from How to Check if Your VPN is Working and the port you used to forward. If you're not using a VPN service, use your WAN IP address and the port you used to forward.