What NAT type means and why it matters

NAT type is a setting that controls how your router translates data between your home network and the internet. Your NAT type affects how easily other devices can connect to you — it matters most if you play online games, use video conferencing, or run applications that need incoming connections.

Your router assigns itself a NAT type automatically based on how it sits between your device and your internet service provider's network. The three common types are Open (accepts all incoming connections), Moderate (accepts some), and Strict (blocks most). Open NAT is fastest for gaming and peer-to-peer apps. Strict NAT can cause lag, connection drops, or inability to join certain sessions.

You cannot change your NAT type permanently — it depends on your ISP's network setup and your router's capabilities. But you can move toward Open NAT by adjusting port forwarding, UPnP settings, or your router's firewall rules. The steps differ depending on your router model and ISP.

Key Takeaways

  • NAT type is set by your router and ISP automatically, but you can shift it toward Open by enabling UPnP or setting up port forwarding.
  • Open NAT is fastest for gaming and video calls; Moderate and Strict NAT can cause lag or connection failures in peer-to-peer applications.
  • The easiest first step is to enable UPnP in your router settings, which lets applications request port access without manual setup.
  • Port forwarding requires you to know which ports your application uses and manually tell your router to direct traffic to your device.
  • Some ISPs use Carrier-Grade NAT, which blocks port forwarding entirely — in that case, you may need to contact your ISP to request a public IP address.

Check your current NAT type

Before you change anything, find out what NAT type you have now. Most gaming consoles and applications show NAT type in their network settings. On PlayStation 5, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status. On Xbox Series X, go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced. On a Windows PC, you can use online NAT checker tools by searching "NAT type checker" — these send a test connection to your router and report what they see.

Write down your current NAT type and note which application or device showed it to you. Different devices on the same network may report different NAT types depending on how they test the connection. If you see "Open" already, your network is configured well and you may not need to make changes.

Enable UPnP on your router

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is a setting that lets applications ask your router for port access automatically, without you having to set it up by hand. This is the easiest way to move toward Open NAT.

Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You can find the exact address on a sticker on the back of your router or in your router's manual. Enter your admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number).

Look for a section called UPnP, Universal Plug and Play, or Port Mapping. The exact name and location depend on your router brand — Netgear, TP-Link, Asus, and Linksys all place it differently. Turn the setting on and save. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Test your NAT type again in your application or console.

Set up port forwarding manually

If UPnP does not move your NAT type to Open, or if your application does not support UPnP, you can forward specific ports manually. This tells your router to send incoming traffic on certain port numbers directly to your device.

First, find out which ports your application uses. Check the application's documentation or support page — it will list port numbers like "TCP 3074" or "UDP 6000". Write these down.

Log into your router again and find the Port Forwarding section (sometimes called Port Mapping or Virtual Server). Create a new rule: enter the port number from your application, select TCP or UDP (or both if the app uses both), and enter your device's local IP address. Your local IP is different from your public IP — find it by going to Settings > Network on your device, or by typing "ipconfig" in Windows Command Prompt and looking for "IPv4 Address".

Save the rule and restart your router. Test your NAT type again. If you set up multiple ports, create a separate rule for each one.

Check for Carrier-Grade NAT from your ISP

Some internet service providers use Carrier-Grade NAT, which adds an extra layer of NAT on their network before your traffic reaches the internet. This blocks port forwarding and UPnP from working, because your router cannot actually control the ports that face the internet.

If you have set up UPnP and port forwarding correctly but your NAT type is still Strict, you may have Carrier-Grade NAT. To check, look at your router's public IP address — log into your router and find the WAN or Internet section. If the IP starts with 100.64.0.0 to 100.127.255.255, you have Carrier-Grade NAT.

Contact your ISP and ask them to disable Carrier-Grade NAT or assign you a public IP address. Some ISPs offer this as a paid option; others do it for free if you ask. Once you have a true public IP, port forwarding will work and your NAT type should improve.

Adjust your router's firewall settings

Your router's firewall can block incoming connections even if ports are forwarded correctly. If you have set up port forwarding but NAT type is still Moderate or Strict, check your firewall rules.

In your router's admin panel, look for Firewall, Security, or Access Control. Some routers have a setting called "Stateful Packet Inspection" or "SPI Firewall" — turning this off can help, though it makes your network slightly less protected. A safer option is to create a firewall rule that allows traffic on the specific ports you forwarded, rather than turning the firewall off entirely.

If your router has a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) setting, you can place your device in the DMZ, which tells the router to forward all unrecognized traffic to that device. This is less secure than port forwarding but can help if you have multiple applications using many different ports.

Restart your modem and router

After making any changes, restart both your modem and router in the correct order. Unplug your modem first and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for all lights to stop blinking and stabilize — this usually takes two to three minutes. Then unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another two to three minutes for it to fully restart.

Once both devices are fully restarted, test your NAT type again. Changes to UPnP, port forwarding, and firewall settings often do not take effect until after a restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my NAT type keep changing?

NAT type can shift if your ISP reassigns your public IP address, if you restart your router, or if another device on your network changes its settings. If it changes frequently, your ISP may be cycling your IP regularly — this is normal. If it changes after you restart, make sure your UPnP or port forwarding settings saved correctly by logging back into your router and checking.

Can I have Open NAT on one device but Moderate on another?

Yes. Different devices test NAT type differently, and some applications are more sensitive to NAT restrictions than others. A gaming console might show Open while your PC shows Moderate, even on the same network. This is normal and usually not a problem unless you are having connection issues in a specific application.

Will changing NAT type make my network less secure?

UPnP and port forwarding do open specific ports to incoming traffic, which is a small security trade-off. However, they only open the ports your application needs, and only to traffic related to that application. Turning off your firewall entirely is much riskier. If security is a concern, use port forwarding instead of UPnP, since port forwarding lets you control exactly which ports are open.

What if I still have Strict NAT after trying everything?

Strict NAT that does not improve after UPnP and port forwarding usually means your ISP uses Carrier-Grade NAT or blocks incoming connections by policy. Contact your ISP and ask about getting a public IP address or having Carrier-Grade NAT disabled. Some ISPs charge a small monthly fee for this; others do it at no cost.

Do I need to change NAT type if my connection works fine?

No. If you are not experiencing lag, connection drops, or inability to join sessions, your current NAT type is working for your needs. Open NAT is fastest, but Moderate NAT is acceptable for most uses. Only change NAT type if you are having specific connection problems.