The router controls your computers access to the Internet.
Developed by BitTorrent, Inc., uTorrent is a freeware BitTorrent client. This program allows you to upload and download BitTorrent files using the BitTorrent protocol. You will need to ensure the ports that uTorrent uses are open on your network router to upload and download files using the maximum amount of bandwidth available on your network.
Port Forwarding
Your router divides every piece of information that is sent and received on your network into different ports. Each port can only be used by one program at a time. If the port is closed, then the program cannot communicate with the Internet and bandwidth access to that program will be limited. This will result in slow download or no connection at all in uTorrent. To avoid this, you can port forward your router, so the ports that uTorrent use are open to access the Internet.
UPnP
Universal Plug'n'Play, or UPnP, is a networking protocol that allows UPnP-supported devices and programs to automatically discover each other and access the Internet. UPnP is supported by uTorrent, which can allow it to automatically establish a connection to the Internet and port forward itself. This only works with routers that also support UPnP, so if you have an older router, this may not happen automatically. If that is the case, you will have to manually port forward.
Check Port Status
UTorrent comes with a built-in tool that allows you to check if the port to which you are trying to connect is open. Open the "Preferences" menu and select the "Network" tab. This is where your current port is displayed. To the right of that is a status indicator. If it is green, then the port is connected. If it is red or yellow, then it is not connected or has limited connectivity. You can change the port or make not of the current port and port forward that port.
Port Forward
Port forwarding is done through your routers settings page. This can be accessed from your web browser by entering your routers default IP address. In many cases, this will be 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but this will vary from router to router. Refer to your routers documentation for specific information on access the settings menu. Once there, select the Security or Firewall option and open a new port. By default, uTorrent uses port 6112, but it can use any port -- except ports under 1025 or between 6881 and 6889. You can change the port that uTorrent uses by clicking "File" and selecting "Preferences" in the uTorrent toolbar. Once you have selected a port, save the new open port in your router's firewall settings menu.
