How to Allow Ping in Windows Firewall (ICMP Echo Requests)

Want to allow ping requests to your computer? Here is how to configure Windows Firewall to allow ping requests (ICMP Echo Requests).

Ping requests allow other devices know if a computer is alive on the network. Windows Firewall, with its default settings, sees it as a security risk and blocks all ping requests coming to your computer. That means other devices on the same network cannot tell whether your computer is alive or not. Generally, this is a good thing, and most users never need to worry about ping requests.

However, what if you want to allow pings to your computer? For example, you might be running a media server and want to check whether it is alive at specific intervals. In such situations, you can configure Windows Firewall to allow pings. This is much better than completely disabling the firewall. Once allowed, you can ping from another device, and your computer will respond to those requests, letting you know that it is alive on the network.

Before You Start

• You need admin rights to change firewall settings.
• The steps below are tested to work in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How Does the Ping Command Work?

When you ping another computer on the network, your device will send special packets called ICMP Echo Requests. Once the target computer sees these special packets, it will respond appropriately with ICMP Echo Reply packets. When the first device receives these reply packets, it will know the target computer is alive and connected to the network.

Allow Pings in Windows Firewall

To allow pings in Windows Firewall, you have to create a new custom rule that allows ICMP Echo Requests (ping). Here’s how you can do it in simple steps.

1. Click the Start button on the taskbar to open the Start menu.
2. Search and open “Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Settings“.
3. Select the “Inbound rules” option on the sidebar.
4. Click “New Rules” on the right panel.
5. Select “Custom” and click “Next“.
6. Select “All programs” and click “Next“.
7. Choose “ICMPv4” from the “Protocol type” dropdown.
8. Click the “Customize” button.
9. Select the “Specific ICMP types” option.
10. Select the “Echo request” checkbox.
11. Click “OK” and then “Next“.
12. Make sure “Any IP address” is selected in both sections and click “Next“.
13. Select “Allow this connection” and click “Next“.
14. Select all three profiles (Domain, Public, and Private) and click “Next“.
15. Type “Allow pings” in the “Name” field and click “Finish“.
16. With that, you’ve configured Windows Firewall to allow pings to your computer.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

First thing, we need to open the Windows Firewall. To do that, press the Start key, search for “Windows Defender Firewall“, and click on the result.

Click the “Advanced Settings” link on the sidebar of the Firewall window to open the Advanced Firewall Settings.

We need to create a new custom rule. So, select “Inbound Rules” on the left sidebar and then click the “New Rule” option on the right sidebar.

Select “Custom” in the Rule Type section and hit the “Next” button. This action will guide you through creating a new custom rule.

We want to allow all programs. So, select the “All Programs” option and click “Next.”

In the Protocol and Ports step, select “ICMPv4” from the “Protocol type” dropdown menu. After that, click the “Customize” button.

Select the “Specific ICMP types” option and then choose the “Echo Request” option. Make sure all other checkboxes are unchecked and click “OK“.

Click “Next” in the Protocol and Ports window.

Let the default options be in the “Scope” window and hit the “Next” button.

Under the “Action” step, select the “Allow the connection” option. Press “Next” to go to the next step.

Select all three options under the “Profile” step. Click the “Next” button.

Finally, type a name and description of your choice for the rule and click the “Finish” button. Since the name appears in the Rules section of the main window, make sure it is short and descriptive so that it is easy to recognize and you don’t get confused.

That is it. From now on, Windows Firewall will allow pings. Whenever you ping your computer from another device, it will respond appropriately to let you know it is alive.

If you ever need to disallow pings, find the newly created rule in the Windows Firewall Advanced Settings, right-click on it, and select the “Disable” option.

That is all. It is that simple. If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.