How to Change NAT Type: A Step-by-Step Guide

Network Address Translation (NAT) type can significantly impact your online gaming and connectivity experience. Whether you’re encountering issues with voice chat, multiplayer games, or overall connectivity, changing your NAT type can often resolve these problems. This guide will walk you through the process of changing your NAT type to ensure smoother online gaming and communication.

Understanding NAT Types

Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand the different NAT types:

• Open NAT (Type 1): This type allows the easiest connectivity with other players and services, reducing the chances of encountering issues.

• Moderate NAT (Type 2): A balance between security and connectivity, this type usually works well but can sometimes cause problems with certain games or players.

• Strict NAT (Type 3): This type restricts your connection the most, making it difficult to connect with other players and potentially causing frequent disconnections.

How to Check Your NAT Type

First, you’ll need to check your current NAT type on your gaming console or PC. Here’s how to do it on popular gaming consoles:

PlayStation 5

1. Turn on your PS5 and go to Settings.

2. Navigate to Network.

3. Select View Connection Status.

4. Check the NAT type listed.

Xbox Series X/S

1. Turn on your Xbox and go to Settings.

2. Navigate to General and select Network Settings.

3. Your current NAT type will be displayed on this screen.

Steps to Change Your NAT Type

1. Access Your Router’s Settings

You need to log in to your router’s web interface. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). If you’re unsure, check your router’s manual or the sticker on the router itself.

2. Log In to the Router

Enter the username and password for your router. This information is often found on a sticker on the router or in the manual. If you haven’t changed the default credentials, it might be something like “admin” for both fields.

3. Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

Most modern routers have UPnP, which allows devices on your network to configure the router automatically to open the necessary ports for better connectivity.

• Locate the UPnP settings in your router’s interface. This is typically under sections like Advanced Settings, NAT Forwarding, or Security.

• Enable UPnP and save your settings.

4. Port Forwarding

If enabling UPnP doesn’t change your NAT type, you can manually forward ports used by your gaming console or PC.

• Find the Port Forwarding section in your router settings.

• Add new port forwarding rules for the specific ports required by your game console or service. For example:

• PlayStation: TCP: 80, 443, 3478-3480; UDP: 3478-3479

• Xbox: TCP: 3074; UDP: 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

• Save your settings.

5. Set Up a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

As a last resort, you can place your gaming console in the DMZ of your router, which effectively opens all ports for that device, removing any restrictions.

• Find the DMZ settings in your router interface.

• Enter the IP address of your gaming console.

• Enable and save the settings.

Conclusion

Changing your NAT type can significantly improve your online gaming experience by providing better connectivity and reducing issues with voice chat and multiplayer games. By enabling UPnP, forwarding the necessary ports, or setting up a DMZ, you can move from a strict or moderate NAT to an open NAT, ensuring a smoother and more reliable connection.

Experiment with these methods to see what works best for your setup, and enjoy a seamless online gaming experience!