To allow ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) traffic, such as Ping requests, through the Windows Firewall, you need to enable the specific inbound rules for Echo Request.
Steps to Enable ICMP Echo Request (Ping)
Allowing ICMP, particularly for troubleshooting network connectivity using the ping command, involves enabling predefined rules within the Windows Defender Firewall's advanced settings. Follow these steps:
- Access Control Panel: Open the Windows search bar or Run dialog (
Win + R), typecontrol panel, and press Enter. - Navigate Security Settings: Within the Control Panel, go to System and Security.
- Open Firewall Settings: Click on Windows Defender Firewall.
- Access Advanced Settings: In the left-hand menu of the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on Advanced settings. This will open the "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security" console.
- Select Inbound Rules: In the left pane of the Advanced Security console, click on Inbound Rules.
- Locate ICMP Rules: Scroll through the list of Inbound Rules to find the rules related to ICMP Echo Requests. Look for rules named:
- File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In)
- File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv6-In)
- Enable the Rules:
- Right-click on each rule (ICMPv4-In and ICMPv6-In) that you want to enable.
- Select Enable Rule from the context menu.
By enabling these rules, you allow your computer to respond to ICMP Echo Requests (pings) from other devices on the network for both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic, as specified in the Microsoft documentation.
Quick Summary Table
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Control Panel | Start Menu search or Run (control panel) |
| 2 | Go to System and Security | Control Panel |
| 3 | Open Windows Defender Firewall | System and Security |
| 4 | Click Advanced settings | Windows Defender Firewall left menu |
| 5 | Click Inbound Rules | "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security" left pane |
| 6 | Locate rules: - File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In) - File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv6-In) |
Inbound Rules list |
| 7 | Enable the rules | Right-click rule > Enable Rule |
Enabling these specific "Echo Request" rules is the standard method for allowing external devices to ping your Windows PC, which is the most common reason users seek to allow ICMP traffic.
