NAT type plays a big role in your online gaming experience, even though it’s one of those things many players don’t think about until something goes wrong.
Maybe you’ve been kicked from a game, struggled to join a friend’s lobby, or experienced strange lag despite having fast internet. Yep, your NAT type might be the culprit.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about NAT: what it is, why it matters for gamers, how to check it, how to change it, and how to get the best setup for smooth, low-latency online gaming in 2026.
What is NAT?
NAT stands for Network Address Translation. It’s a process used by your router to manage traffic between your private home network (your devices) and the public internet.
Think of it like a translator or a traffic controller: it decides where incoming data should go and which device it belongs to.
Most homes only have one public IP address, but multiple devices connected to the internet. NAT solves this by giving each device a private IP and translating data back and forth. While this is great for security and saving IP addresses, it can sometimes create problems when it comes to online gaming.
That’s because some multiplayer games need a more direct, open path between your console or PC and other players. If your NAT setup is too strict, it can block those connections or make them unstable.
What Are the NAT Types?
NAT types determine how easily your device can communicate with other systems over the internet, especially in peer-to-peer connections, which are very common in online gaming.
While NAT does a great job at protecting your local network and efficiently managing IP addresses, it can also create obstacles for direct device-to-device communication if it's too restrictive.
Let’s break down the three main NAT types and how they affect your ability to connect with others in online games.
1. Open NAT (Type 1)
Open NAT is the ideal scenario for any online gamer. When your NAT type is open, your console or PC can freely send and receive data without interference from your router’s firewall or NAT restrictions. This means:
- You can host multiplayer games.
- You can join any player’s game, regardless of their NAT type.
- You’ll experience fewer connection errors or interruptions in matchmaking.
- Voice chat and online features generally work flawlessly.
In most cases, Open NAT is only possible when your gaming device is connected directly to the internet, without a router in between (like when it’s connected via a modem in bridge mode or assigned as a DMZ host). While this offers the best performance, it also exposes your device to the public internet, which could present security risks if not managed properly.
2. Moderate NAT (Type 2)
Moderate NAT is the most common and generally acceptable configuration for home users. In this setup, your device is behind a router and firewall, but some specific ports used by games and voice chat are open or forwarded.
With a Moderate NAT:
- You can connect to most players, but not all.
- You might experience longer matchmaking times or occasional connection issues.
- Hosting games may be limited or unstable.
- Some voice chat features may have issues, especially with Strict NAT users.
This is the best balance between performance and security for most players. If you're behind a NAT with UPnP enabled or have set up port forwarding, this is likely what you’re using.
3. Strict NAT (Type 3)
Strict NAT is where problems start to become noticeable. Your gaming device is heavily restricted by your router, and incoming data that isn’t explicitly allowed will be blocked. In gaming terms, that means:
- You can only connect to players who have an Open NAT.
- Matchmaking will be slower or might fail altogether.
- You might be unable to join friends’ lobbies or use voice chat properly.
- Hosting games is often impossible.
Strict NAT is typically the default for users who haven’t configured their router settings or who are behind multiple layers of NAT (like some university or shared building networks). It's more secure from a technical perspective, but extremely limiting for gamers.
Quick note: Some platforms (like Xbox) use different names, like Open, Moderate, and Strict, while others (like PlayStation) use Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. But they all follow the same general idea.
Why NAT Types Matter in Online Gaming
Games that rely on peer-to-peer connections, such as Call of Duty, FIFA, or GTA Online, are particularly sensitive to NAT types. In these setups, your system needs to talk directly to other players’ devices. If your NAT type doesn’t allow it, the connection either won’t happen or will suffer from lag, desync, or dropouts.
Even games hosted on dedicated servers, like Apex Legends or Fortnite, can still be affected. Party systems, voice chat, and custom lobbies often use peer connections under the hood. That’s why NAT issues can still impact your experience even if the core gameplay seems server-based.
And here's something many players don't realize: your NAT type doesn't just affect you: it affects everyone you're trying to play with. If you're on Strict NAT and your friend is also on Strict, the chances of connecting drop dramatically. One of you will need to change it to Open or Moderate to have a shot at stable co-op or party play.
Source: Portforward
How to Check Your NAT Type
Checking your NAT type depends on what device you’re playing on. Here’s how to find it on the most common gaming platforms:
PlayStation (PS4/PS5)
- Go to Settings
- Select Network
- Choose View Connection Status
- Look for NAT Type (Type 1, 2, or 3)
Source: CyberGhost
Xbox (One/Series X|S)
- Go to Settings
- Select Network Settings
- Look under Current Network Status
- Your NAT Type will be shown there (Open, Moderate, or Strict)
Source: IGN
PC (Windows)
This one is taken from an official answer on Windows Community forum:
If you’re using Windows 10 and want to find out your NAT type, here’s a simple way to do it:
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to bring up the Run window.
- Type cmd and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter.
- Scroll through the results until you find the Default Gateway. This is your router’s IP address.
- Open your web browser and type that IP address into the address bar, then hit Enter.
- You’ll be prompted to log in to your router. Enter your username and password (usually printed on a label on your router if you haven’t changed it).
- Once inside your router’s settings, look for a section called NAT, Network Address Translation, or something similar. It varies depending on the brand of your router.
- You should see your NAT type listed somewhere in that section. It’ll usually be shown as Open, Moderate, or Strict.
How to Change Your NAT Type
Changing your NAT type usually involves making your router a little more friendly to game-related data. There are a few methods, and they vary depending on your router and your internet provider. Let’s walk through the most common ways:
1. Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
This is the easiest method and works well for most gamers.
- Log in to your router’s settings page (usually by typing 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 into your web browser)
- Enter your admin login (check the back of your router if you don’t know it)
- Find the UPnP setting (it may be under “Advanced,” “NAT,” or “Network Settings”)
- Turn it on
- Save and restart your router
UPnP allows your devices to automatically open the necessary ports for gaming. It’s not the most secure setting, but for home gaming, it’s usually fine.
2. Use Port Forwarding
If UPnP doesn’t work or isn’t available, you can manually open the ports your games use:
- Log in to your router’s settings
- Go to Port Forwarding or Virtual Server
- Add the ports needed for your console or game (you’ll find these on official support sites)
For example, here are some common ports for PlayStation:
- TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
- UDP: 3478, 3479
And for Xbox:
- TCP/UDP: 3074 (and others depending on the game)
Save and restart your router after adding them.
3. Set Your Device as a DMZ Host
This method puts your console or PC outside the firewall, which opens all ports to that device. It’s effective, but not recommended unless you trust the device and understand the risks.
- Find DMZ settings in your router
- Enter your device’s IP address
- Save and restart the router
Important: Don’t use DMZ and Port Forwarding at the same time for the same IP. It can cause conflicts.
Which NAT Type Should You Use for Online Gaming?
Open NAT (Type 1) is the ideal for gaming, no doubt. It gives you full connectivity, faster matchmaking, and fewer interruptions. But if you can’t get Open, Moderate (Type 2) is usually good enough for most people.
Avoid Strict NAT (Type 3) if possible. It limits your ability to play with others and can lead to lag, voice chat issues, or matchmaking errors.
That said, changing your NAT type doesn’t increase your internet speed, it just improves the flow of certain traffic. If your connection is unstable, you’ll want to look beyond NAT for a solution.
Port Numbers Used by Popular Games
Many online games require specific ports to be open for optimal performance.
These ports facilitate communication between your device and game servers. Here's a breakdown of common ports used by popular games:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare / Warzone
- TCP: 3074, 27014-27050
- UDP: 3074, 3478-3479, 4379-4380
- Fortnite
- TCP: 5222, 5223
- UDP: 5222, 5223, 3478-3479
- Apex Legends
- TCP: 80, 443, 8080
- UDP: 80, 443, 8080
- Steam
- TCP: 27015-27050
- UDP: 27000-27015
- League of Legends
- TCP: 80, 443, 5222-5223, 8088, 8393-8400
- UDP: 5000-5500, 8088
Opening these ports can help reduce latency and improve matchmaking times. Always refer to the official game documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date port information.
How NAT Affects Voice Chat
A restrictive NAT type can significantly impact voice communication during online gaming sessions. Players with strict NAT types may experience issues such as:
- Inability to hear other players: Audio packets may be blocked, leading to one-sided conversations.
- Inability to be heard: Your microphone input might not transmit to other players.
- Delayed voice transmission: Voice messages may have noticeable lag.
- Dropped voice chat connections: Frequent disconnections during voice chats.
These issues arise because a strict NAT type limits the number of incoming connections, affecting peer-to-peer communication essential for voice chat. To resolve these problems, consider changing your NAT type to "Open" or "Moderate" by following the steps outlined in the main article.
Common NAT Problems and How to Fix Them
Players often encounter various NAT-related issues that can disrupt online gaming experiences. Some common problems include:
- Unable to join or host multiplayer games: A strict NAT type can prevent connections to game servers.
- Frequent disconnections during gameplay: Unstable NAT settings can cause sessions to drop unexpectedly.
- Inability to hear or be heard in voice chat: As mentioned earlier, restrictive NAT types can block voice communication.
- High ping or latency issues: NAT configurations can affect the speed and stability of your connection.
To address these issues:
- Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play): Allows your router to automatically open necessary ports for gaming.
- Set up Port Forwarding: Manually open specific ports required by your game or console.
- Use DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): Place your gaming device outside the router's firewall for unrestricted access.
- Assign a Static IP: Ensures consistent port forwarding settings for your device.
How ISPs Influence NAT in Online Gaming
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) plays a crucial role in determining your NAT type. Some ISPs implement Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) to conserve IPv4 addresses. While this approach helps ISPs manage limited IP resources, it can lead to:
- Restricted NAT types: Players may experience "Moderate" or "Strict" NAT types, limiting online gaming capabilities.
- Inability to host games: CGNAT can prevent incoming connections, making it impossible to host multiplayer sessions.
- Connection instability: Shared IP addresses can cause conflicts, leading to dropped connections.
If you're experiencing these issues, contact your ISP to inquire about obtaining a public IP address or consider using a VPN service that offers port forwarding capabilities.
NAT Type and Crossplay
Crossplay allows players on different gaming platforms to play together. However, NAT types can impact crossplay functionality:
- Open NAT: Provides the best experience for crossplay, allowing seamless connections between players on different platforms.
- Moderate NAT: May cause occasional connectivity issues, such as longer matchmaking times or difficulty joining games.
- Strict NAT: Significantly hinders crossplay, often preventing players from joining each other's games entirely.
To ensure optimal crossplay performance, aim for an "Open" NAT type. Refer to the main article for steps on how to change your NAT type.
How to Boost Your Connection Performance in Online Games?
NAT tweaks can only go so far. If you're still dealing with lag spikes, high ping, rubberbanding, or random disconnects, your internet routing might be the real issue, not your NAT type.
That’s where NoPing comes in.
NoPing is a network optimization tool made specifically for gamers. It reroutes your traffic through a more efficient path to reduce latency, packet loss, and jitter.
Here’s how to use NoPing to improve connection quality in online games:
- Sign-up through the website and download NoPing (you can test it for free).
- Open NoPing and search for your game inside the software
- Once you find it, click on it and, on the next screen, select “Choose automatic” or “Choose manual” and click “Continue”. We recommend choosing automatic, as NoPing’s technology analyzes all routes on a global scale and automatically selects the best option for you.
- On the next screen, click on “Optimize Game”.
- And that’s it, you can start playing with optimized ping!
You can test different servers within NoPing to see which gives you the lowest latency.
Whether you're playing competitive FPS or just want a smoother experience in co-op games, NoPing helps make your connection as clean and responsive as possible, without messing with your router settings every time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about NAT Types
1. What should I do if my NAT type is Strict or Moderate?
If your NAT type is Strict or Moderate, you may experience issues with online gaming. To improve your NAT type:
- Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play): This allows your router to automatically open the necessary ports for your console.
- Set up Port Forwarding: Manually open specific ports required by your gaming console or game.
- Use DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): Place your console in the DMZ to bypass the router's firewall, though this reduces security.
- Assign a Static IP: Ensure your console has a fixed IP address to maintain consistent port forwarding settings.
For detailed steps on these methods, refer to the main article above.
2. Can I achieve an Open NAT type on PS5?
Yes, achieving an Open NAT type on PS5 is possible but may require adjustments to your router settings:
- Enable UPnP: This allows your router to automatically open the necessary ports for your console.
- Set up Port Forwarding: Manually open specific ports required by your gaming console or game.
- Use DMZ: Place your console in the DMZ to bypass the router's firewall, though this reduces security.
- Assign a Static IP: Ensure your console has a fixed IP address to maintain consistent port forwarding settings.
For detailed steps on these methods, refer to the main article above.
3. What is a NAT Type Failed error on PS5, and how can I fix it?
A "NAT Type Failed" error on PS5 indicates issues with connecting to other players or game servers. To resolve this:
- Restart your router and PS5: Power cycle both devices to refresh the connection.
- Check your network settings: Ensure your router's firewall isn't overly restrictive.
- Adjust NAT settings: Implement the methods mentioned above to improve your NAT type.
For more detailed troubleshooting steps, refer to the main article above.
4. Does my NAT type affect my ping or latency?
While NAT type primarily influences connectivity and matchmaking, a restrictive NAT can indirectly affect ping and latency by causing delays in establishing connections. Improving your NAT type can lead to faster matchmaking and more stable connections, potentially reducing latency.
5. Will changing my NAT type affect my network security?
Yes, methods like enabling UPnP or placing your console in the DMZ can reduce your network's security by opening ports or bypassing the router's firewall. It's essential to weigh the benefits of improved connectivity against potential security risks. Always ensure your router's firmware is up to date and consider implementing additional security measures if necessary.
Understanding and managing your NAT type can dramatically improve your online gaming experience.
Whether you're gaming on console or PC, getting out of Strict NAT and into Open or Moderate will help you connect with friends, find matches faster, and avoid frustrating in-game issues.
Download NoPing now and play more than 3000 games without lag!
