What NAT Type Is and Why It Matters

NAT type is a setting on your router that controls how your devices talk to the internet and to other people's devices in online games or video calls. Your router assigns it automatically, but you can change it. A better NAT type means faster connections in multiplayer games, fewer dropped calls, and fewer connection timeouts.

Your router uses NAT (Network Address Translation) to let multiple devices in your home share one internet address. The type your router picks depends on how strict it is about letting outside traffic in. Type 1 (Open) lets almost everything through. Type 2 (Moderate) blocks some traffic but still works well. Type 3 (Strict) blocks a lot and causes lag and connection failures in games.

You cannot change your NAT type by accident, and changing it will not expose your home network to danger if you follow the steps here. The security settings that create a strict NAT type are still in place — you are just making them less restrictive in specific ways.

Key Takeaways

  • NAT type is set by your router and controls how outside traffic reaches your devices; Type 2 (Moderate) is the target for most people, and Type 1 (Open) is rarely necessary.
  • Port forwarding sends traffic for a specific game or app directly to your device instead of letting your router decide where it goes.
  • UPnP is an automatic version of port forwarding that works if your router and game both support it, and it requires only one toggle in your router settings.
  • DMZ mode puts one device outside your router's firewall entirely and should only be used if port forwarding and UPnP do not work.
  • You check your NAT type in the game or app itself — most multiplayer games show it in network settings or connection diagnostics.

Check Your Current NAT Type First

Before you change anything, find out what NAT type you have right now. Most games show it directly. In PlayStation 5, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status and look for NAT Type. On Xbox Series X, go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced and find NAT Type. On PC, open the game you play most and look in network settings or connection diagnostics — Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Valorant all display it.

Write down your current type and the game you checked it in. If it says Type 2 or Open, your connection is already good and you probably do not need to change anything. If it says Type 3 or Strict, or if you see connection timeouts and lag spikes in online play, move to the next step.

Enable UPnP — The Easiest Method

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is an automatic system that lets games and apps ask your router to open ports for them without you doing it manually. It works on most modern routers and most games. Turning it on takes two minutes and often improves NAT type without any other changes.

Log into your router's settings. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — your router's manual or the sticker on the back will tell you which one. Log in with your router's username and password (often admin and admin, or printed on the router). Look for a section called UPnP, Universal Plug and Play, or NAT-PMP. Check the box to enable it and save. Restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Launch your game and check the NAT type again after five minutes. If it improved to Type 2 or Open, you are done. If it did not change, move to port forwarding.

Set Up Port Forwarding for Your Device

Port forwarding tells your router to send traffic for a specific game or app directly to your device instead of deciding where it goes. It is more work than UPnP but more reliable. You need three pieces of information: your device's local IP address, the port number the game uses, and access to your router settings.

Find your device's local IP address. On PlayStation 5, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status and write down the IP Address. On Xbox Series X, go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced and write down the IP Address. On Windows PC, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for IPv4 Address under your network connection.

Find the port number your game uses. Check the game's support page or manual — search "[game name] port forwarding" and the port numbers will be listed. Most games use ports in the 3000–65000 range. Write down all the ports listed.

Log into your router settings the same way you did for UPnP. Look for Port Forwarding, Port Mapping, or Virtual Server. Add a new rule: set the external port to the game's port number, the internal port to the same number, the protocol to UDP (or both TCP and UDP if the option exists), and the internal IP to your device's local IP address. Save and restart the router.

Test the port to make sure it worked. Go to canyouseeme.org, enter the port number, and click Check. If it says the port is open, port forwarding is working. Launch your game and check NAT type again.

Use DMZ Mode Only as a Last Resort

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) mode puts one device outside your router's firewall entirely, so all incoming traffic goes straight to it without any filtering. It will almost always improve NAT type to Open, but it also removes the protection your router normally provides. Only use this if UPnP and port forwarding did not work.

Log into your router settings and find DMZ or Demilitarized Zone. Enter your device's local IP address and enable it. Save and restart the router. Check your NAT type in the game — it should now be Open or Type 1.

If you use DMZ mode, keep your device's firewall turned on (Windows Defender or Mac firewall) and do not install software from untrusted sources. The router is no longer protecting you, so your device has to do it alone. If your NAT type improves but you start seeing security warnings or unusual network activity, disable DMZ and go back to port forwarding.

Restart Your Router and Test Again

After any change, restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully boot up, then launch your game and check NAT type again. Changes sometimes take a few minutes to take effect, and restarting ensures your router loads the new settings.

If NAT type improved but you still see lag or connection timeouts, the problem may not be NAT type — it could be your internet speed, distance from the game server, or packet loss on your connection. Run a speed test at speedtest.net to check your read and upload speeds. If they are lower than your internet plan promises, contact your internet provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing NAT type make my home network less find?

UPnP and port forwarding do not reduce security if you use them correctly. They only open ports for the specific games or apps you choose. DMZ mode does remove firewall protection, so only use it if the other methods do not work, and keep your device's built-in firewall on.

What if I have multiple gaming devices and need to change NAT type for all of them?

UPnP handles this automatically — each device can ask the router to open ports for itself. If you use port forwarding, you will need to add a separate rule for each device, using each one's local IP address and the ports it needs. DMZ mode only works for one device at a time.

Do I need to change NAT type if my internet speed is already fast?

Internet speed and NAT type are separate. Fast internet does not fix a strict NAT type, and a good NAT type does not make slow internet faster. If you have lag or connection timeouts in games, check NAT type. If you have slow downloads or uploads, the problem is your internet speed, not NAT.

Can I change NAT type without logging into my router?

No. NAT type is controlled by your router, and the only way to change it is through your router's settings. Some games claim to improve NAT type, but they cannot — only your router can. If you forgot your router password, reset it by holding the reset button on the back for 10 seconds, which will erase all your settings.

What if my router does not have UPnP or port forwarding options?

Older routers sometimes lack these features. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm. If they are truly missing, your only option is DMZ mode or buying a newer router. Most routers made in the last five years support both UPnP and port forwarding.