How to Change Your NAT Type to Open on a Games Console

NAT type decides how easily your console can connect to other players. An Open NAT means smooth matchmaking, clear voice chat, and the ability to host games. A Moderate or Strict NAT means failed party joins and empty lobbies. This guide explains how to check your NAT type on PS5 and Xbox and the router changes that move you to Open, in the order you should try them.

Quick Answer

To change your NAT type to Open on a games console, first restart your router and console, then enable UPnP in your router settings, which lets the console open the ports it needs automatically. If that is not enough, give the console a static IP address and forward the correct ports for PlayStation or Xbox, or place the console in the router’s DMZ as a last resort. Also remove double NAT caused by two routers in a chain, because no port setting can fix that.

How to Check Your NAT Type

• On PS5: Settings, Network, Settings, View Connection Status, or run Test Internet Connection. NAT Type 1 is open (console directly connected), Type 2 is open/moderate through a router working correctly, Type 3 is strict.
• On Xbox: Settings, General, Network settings. The NAT type is shown on the right: Open, Moderate, or Strict, alongside the detailed network test.

For most home players behind one router, PS5 Type 2 and Xbox Open or Moderate are perfectly playable. You only need to act if you see Type 3 or Strict, or if specific games complain about NAT when you try to join friends. If you already know yours is strict and want the reasons first, our explainer on why NAT type shows as Strict covers the causes in depth.

Fix 1: Restart Everything and Enable UPnP

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is a router feature that lets devices request ports automatically. It solves the majority of NAT problems on its own:

1. Restart the router and the console to clear stale port mappings.
2. Open your router’s admin page in a browser, usually at an address like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, printed on the router’s label along with the admin password.
3. Find the UPnP setting, often under Advanced, NAT, or Network settings, and switch it on.
4. Save, restart the router once more, then retest the console’s NAT type.

Fix 2: Static IP Plus Port Forwarding

If UPnP is unavailable or unreliable, forward ports manually. The console needs a fixed address first, or the forwarding breaks whenever its IP changes:

1. On the console’s network settings, note its current IP address, subnet mask, and gateway, then set up a manual (static) IP using those details, choosing an address outside your router’s automatic range if possible.
2. In the router’s Port Forwarding section, create rules forwarding the ports below to that static IP.
3. Restart the router and console, then test again.

PlayStation ports: TCP 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480 and UDP 3478, 3479. Xbox ports: TCP 3074 and UDP 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500. Individual games occasionally need extra ports listed by their publishers. Sony and Microsoft both publish their requirements: see the PlayStation connection troubleshooting page and the Xbox network ports guide for confirmation before you start.

Fix 3: Remove Double NAT

Double NAT happens when two routers sit in a chain, for example an ISP modem-router feeding your own second router. Your console then sits behind two layers of address translation, and port forwarding on one device is not enough. Signs include the router’s internet (WAN) address being a private address such as 192.168.x.x. Fixes: put the ISP device into bridge or modem mode, or set your second router to access point mode, or connect the console directly to the first device. This single change fixes stubborn Strict NAT more often than any port list.

Fix 4: The DMZ (Use Carefully)

A DMZ setting exposes one device to all ports. Putting a console in the router’s DMZ guarantees an Open NAT, and consoles are a relatively safe choice for this because they run a closed system. Only ever put the console’s static IP in the DMZ — never a Windows PC. If your router offers a DMZ and nothing else has worked, this is the reliable fallback.

Mistakes That Waste Hours

• Forwarding ports to a changing IP. Without a static IP or DHCP reservation, your rules point at the wrong device within days.
• Enabling UPnP and manual forwarding for the same ports at once. Conflicting rules confuse routers. Pick one method.
• Testing on hotel or campus networks. You do not control those routers, so NAT fixes are impossible there, and hotel Wi-Fi needs a completely different approach based on login pages and whitelisting.
• Restarting only the console. Port mappings live in the router. Restart both, every time you change a setting.
• Ignoring the ISP. Some providers use carrier-grade NAT, which no home setting can change. If your router’s WAN address is in the 100.64.x.x range, call the provider and ask for a public IP address.

Understanding NAT Types Across Both Consoles

The labels differ but the idea is shared. PlayStation uses Type 1 (open, direct connection), Type 2 (open through a correctly working router), and Type 3 (strict). Xbox spells it out as Open, Moderate, and Strict. The practical pairings are: Open and Type 1/2 players can connect to almost everyone; Moderate players connect well to Open players but can struggle with each other; Strict players can really only rely on connecting to Open players, which is why two Strict friends often cannot join each other’s parties at all. This is also why fixing only your own NAT sometimes “fixes” a problem for your whole group: one Open host can hold a party together for friends on worse connections.

When to Stop Tweaking

Chase Open NAT if you host games, use voice chat heavily, or play peer-to-peer titles with friends. Accept Moderate if everything you actually do works — many players game happily for years at Moderate without a single failed session. The goal is not a perfect label on a settings screen; it is joining your friends first try with clear voice chat. Once you have that, write down what you changed (a phone photo of the router settings works) so a future router reset does not send you back to square one, and get back to playing.

Conclusion

Open NAT is usually three steps away: restart, enable UPnP, and if needed, a static IP with the correct ports forwarded. Check for double NAT before you spend an evening typing port numbers, because it defeats every other fix. Once your console reports Open NAT (or Type 2 on PS5 with working voice chat), leave the settings alone and enjoy the games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PS5 NAT Type 2 good enough, or do I need Type 1?

Type 2 is the normal, healthy result for a console behind a router and plays everything fine. Type 1 means the console connects directly to the internet with no router, which most homes neither have nor need.

Is UPnP safe to enable?

UPnP has a theoretical security downside because devices can request ports without asking you. In practice, most home routers ship with it on and consoles depend on it. If you prefer full manual control, use port forwarding instead and leave UPnP off.

Why did my NAT go back to Strict after working fine?

Usually the console’s IP address changed, breaking your forwarding rules, or the router was reset by an update or power cut. Give the console a static IP or a DHCP reservation to make the fix permanent.

Can a VPN on my router change my NAT type?

Yes, usually for the worse. VPNs add another translation layer and often produce Strict NAT for consoles behind them. Exclude the console from the VPN if your router allows per-device rules.

Do I need Open NAT for single-player games?

No. NAT only affects connections to other players and services like voice chat. Story games, downloads, and streaming apps work regardless of NAT type.