How to change your NAT type

When trying to play multiplayer games, a stringent NAT Type can cause issues. This post will walk you through the various methods for changing your NAT Type. Continue reading to learn how to alter your router settings and troubleshoot connection issues.

A router with a stringent NAT Type can wreak havoc on online gaming by causing poor matchmaking, limited voice chat, and an inconsistent connection.

You may, thankfully, modify your NAT Type to a less restricted setting to improve your gameplay experience.

How to Modify Your NAT Type Using Your Router

If you have access to your router, follow the instructions in this section. You’ll need your IP address as well as access to your router’s login information.

The login details for your router will vary depending on the manufacturer, but routerpasswords.com offers a database that covers the default for most modern routers.

Method 1: Make use of UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

Universal Plug and Play is a form of independent port forwarding. It is the simplest method for changing your NAT Type to Open on Xbox, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.

To enable UPnP, perform the following steps:

Enter your IP address into the address bar of your web browser and hit Enter. (If you don’t know your IP address, you may look it up using our ‘What Is My IP’ tool or on the back of your router).
Fill in your login information. This varies by manufacturer, so if you’re having trouble logging in, go to routerpasswords.com.
Locate the UPnP option once you’ve signed into your router. Depending on the manufacturer, this is typically located under “Settings,” “Network Settings,” or “Advanced Settings.”
Activate UPnP
Reboot your router and device to confirm that the settings change is reflected. Your NAT Type will no longer be strictly enforced.

Method 2: Make Use of Port Forwarding

Your router has ‘ports’ that act as virtual doorways to the internet. NAT routes your internet activity through these ports to its intended destination, which could be another device or a website.

This is a completely automatic operation, although issues can arise if NAT does not open the correct port for your connection. Port forwarding is the technique of manually allocating a port to a specific device in order to establish a direct connection. This enables you to connect your gaming console directly to the needed gaming network or launcher, hence altering your NAT Type.

How to Modify Your NAT Type Without Using a Router

Make a Wi-Fi hotspot with a VPN installed

By building a hotspot in Windows 10, you can create your own virtual network. By using a VPN, you can turn your hotspot into its own router, entirely circumventing your real router and its restrictive NAT type.

We can validate that the Windows 10 hotspot regularly provides a Moderate NAT Type from our own testing.

Creating a hotspot will not modify the NAT Type of your router or prevent network address translation. On a Windows 10 hotspot, NAT will still occur, but it will use a Moderate NAT Type by default.

Whereas most VPNs will work with this strategy, it’s better to use a gaming VPN that has servers in many worldwide regions and minimizes lag.