11 Jul How to Get an Open NAT Type for Gaming on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox

Online games depend on fast matchmaking, stable peer connections, and reliable voice chat. If your PC, PlayStation, or Xbox reports a Strict or Moderate NAT type, you may experience failed party chat, longer matchmaking times, or trouble joining friends. Getting an Open NAT usually means configuring your home network so game traffic can reach your device without being blocked or misrouted.

TLDR: To get an Open NAT type, first enable UPnP on your router and restart your gaming device and router. If that does not work, assign your device a static local IP address and manually forward the required ports for PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. If you still have problems, check for double NAT or CGNAT, because those issues may require bridge mode, modem settings, or help from your internet provider.

What NAT Type Means for Gaming

NAT, or Network Address Translation, is how your router lets multiple devices share one public internet connection. It is normal and necessary in most homes, but it can interfere with games that rely on direct connections between players.

Most platforms describe NAT status in simple terms:

• Open NAT: Best for gaming. You can usually join matches, host sessions, and use voice chat without restrictions.
• Moderate NAT: Usable, but you may have trouble connecting to some players, especially those with strict NAT.
• Strict NAT: Most restrictive. Matchmaking, party chat, and joining friends may fail more often.

On PlayStation, the labels are usually Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type 2 is the normal preferred result for a console behind a router, while Type 3 is restrictive. Type 1 means the console is directly connected to the internet, which is uncommon and not usually necessary.

Step 1: Use a Wired Connection When Possible

Before changing router settings, improve the basics. A wired Ethernet connection is more stable than Wi-Fi and can reduce packet loss, latency spikes, and connection drops. It may not directly change your NAT type, but it makes troubleshooting more reliable.

If Ethernet is not practical, use a strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal, place the router in an open location, and avoid gaming far from the access point. NAT problems are configuration issues, but weak wireless performance can make them appear worse.

Step 2: Enable UPnP on Your Router

UPnP, or Universal Plug and Play, allows your gaming device to request the ports it needs automatically. For most home users, this is the simplest and safest first step toward an Open NAT.

1. Open a browser and sign in to your router’s admin page. Common addresses include 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
2. Look for a menu such as Advanced, NAT Forwarding, WAN, or Network Settings.
3. Find UPnP and enable it.
4. Save the setting, then restart your router and gaming device.
5. Run the network test on your PC, PlayStation, or Xbox again.

UPnP is convenient, but only enable it on a trusted home network. If you have unknown devices connected or poor router security, update your router firmware and change the admin password first.

Step 3: Set a Static Local IP Address

If UPnP does not solve the issue, the next step is manual port forwarding. Before forwarding ports, your gaming device needs a consistent local IP address. Otherwise, the router may assign it a different address later, breaking the rules you created.

The best method is a DHCP reservation in your router. This tells the router to always give the same local IP address to your PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. Look for a section called LAN, DHCP, Address Reservation, or Client List. Select your device and reserve its current address.

You can also set a static IP directly on the device, but DHCP reservation is usually cleaner because the router remains in control of address management.

Step 4: Forward the Correct Gaming Ports

Port forwarding manually tells your router where to send specific incoming traffic. You should forward ports only to the device that needs them. Do not forward the same port to multiple devices at the same time, because this can cause conflicts.

Common platform ports include:

• Xbox: TCP 3074; UDP 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500
• PlayStation Network: TCP 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480; UDP 3478, 3479
• PC gaming: Depends on the game launcher and title. Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, and individual games may use different ports.

In your router’s port forwarding section, enter the reserved local IP address of your gaming device, select the correct protocol TCP, UDP, or Both, and add the required port numbers. Save the changes and restart the router.

For PC games, check the official support page for the specific game. A competitive shooter, survival server, or sports title may require different ports. Avoid using random port lists from unverified sources.

Step 5: Check for Double NAT

If you enabled UPnP or forwarded ports correctly and still have a Moderate or Strict NAT, you may be behind double NAT. This happens when two routers are performing NAT at the same time, such as an ISP modem router connected to your own gaming router.

Signs of double NAT include:

• Your router’s WAN IP address starts with 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x through 172.31.x.x.
• You have both an ISP gateway and a separate router broadcasting Wi-Fi.
• Port forwarding rules appear correct but have no effect.

To fix it, place the ISP gateway into bridge mode, or set your own router as the only device handling routing. Some ISP gateways also offer IP passthrough or DMZ to router mode. If you are not sure, contact your ISP and ask how to eliminate double NAT for your router model.

Step 6: Understand CGNAT

CGNAT, or Carrier Grade NAT, is used by some internet providers to share public IP addresses among many customers. If your ISP uses CGNAT, normal port forwarding on your home router will not fully work because you do not have your own public IPv4 address.

You may be under CGNAT if your router’s WAN IP does not match the public IP shown by an online “what is my IP” service, especially if the WAN address is in the 100.64.0.0 to 100.127.255.255 range.

The reliable fix is to ask your ISP for a public IPv4 address or a static IP. Some providers offer this for free, while others charge a monthly fee. IPv6 can also help where games and platforms support it, but IPv4 NAT problems remain common.

Should You Use DMZ?

Many routers offer a DMZ option that exposes one local device more directly to the internet. This can sometimes produce an Open NAT for a console, but it should be used carefully.

For a PlayStation or Xbox, DMZ is sometimes an acceptable last resort if UPnP and port forwarding fail, because consoles have a more limited attack surface than general-purpose computers. For a gaming PC, DMZ is not recommended because it may expose Windows services and applications unnecessarily. If you use DMZ, apply it only to the reserved IP of the console, keep the console updated, and do not combine it with unnecessary forwarding rules.

Platform Checks

• Xbox: Go to Settings, General, Network settings, then run Test NAT type. Xbox also supports alternate port selection, which can help if several Xbox consoles are on the same network.
• PlayStation: Go to Settings, Network, then Test Internet Connection. Aim for Type 2 in a normal router setup.
• PC: Check the network status inside the game or launcher. Windows itself may not show a universal NAT type for every game, so rely on the specific title’s diagnostics.

Final Recommendations

Start with the least risky fixes: use Ethernet, update router firmware, enable UPnP, and restart your devices. If that fails, reserve a local IP address and forward only the ports required by your platform or game. If the NAT type still does not improve, investigate double NAT and CGNAT rather than repeatedly changing random settings.

An Open NAT can improve matchmaking and communication, but it should not come at the cost of poor security. Keep your router updated, use a strong admin password, remove old forwarding rules you no longer need, and avoid exposing a gaming PC directly to the internet. A careful configuration gives you the best balance of gaming performance, connection reliability, and network safety.