---
title: "Connect across different networks | PrimalDesk Docs"
description: "What to check when a direct connection is unavailable."
url: "https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/nat-traversal"
---

# Connect across different networks

What to check when a direct connection is unavailable.

1.  Keep the host online and connected to the PrimalDesk backend.
2.  Allow the configured UDP listener through the host firewall.
3.  Try a permitted wired network if guest Wi-Fi isolates devices or blocks UDP.
4.  If direct checks fail, a relay may provide a route. See [TURN relay](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/turn-relay.md).

ICE tests possible paths; STUN discovers public address mappings. Neither bypasses firewall policy. Carrier NAT, multiple routers and VPN routing can prevent a direct path even when internet browsing works.

For port requirements, see [Firewall and ports](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-firewall.md).

This guide describes the current development and testing phase.

[Back to help center](https://docs.primaldesk.com/help-center.md)

## Explore PrimalDesk

- [PrimalDesk Docs: all pages](https://docs.primaldesk.com/llms.txt)
- [PrimalDesk: all pages](https://primaldesk.com/llms.txt)
- [Product overview](https://primaldesk.com/index.md)
- [Documentation](https://docs.primaldesk.com/docs.md)
- [Help center](https://docs.primaldesk.com/help-center.md)

## Other pages on this site

- [PrimalDesk Docs | Multi-user Windows remote desktop](https://docs.primaldesk.com/index.md)
- [Connection overview | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/connection-overview.md)
- [Early access and availability | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/early-access.md)
- [Make your first connection | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/first-connection.md)
- [GDPR and data requests | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/gdpr.md)
- [Windows compatibility | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-compatibility.md)
- [Firewall and ports | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-firewall.md)
- [Technical requirements | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-requirements.md)
- [Install and manage a Windows host | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/install-and-manage-host.md)
- [Mouse and keyboard controls | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/mouse-keyboard.md)
- [Work with multiple monitors | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/multiple-monitors.md)
- [Connect across different networks | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/nat-traversal.md)
- [Network quality and frame rate | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/network-quality.md)
- [RDS role and licensing | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/rds-licensing.md)
- [Third-party notices | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/third-party-notices.md)
- [Connection security | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/transport-security.md)
- [TURN relay | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/turn-relay.md)
- [Windows sessions | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/windows-sessions.md)
- [Windows host setup and network documentation | PrimalDesk](https://docs.primaldesk.com/docs.md)
- [Remote desktop help center | PrimalDesk](https://docs.primaldesk.com/help-center.md)