NAT type describes how easily other players can connect to your console or PC through your router. Open means connections get through freely, Moderate means most connections work but some players may not be able to join you, and Strict means you can usually connect only to players with Open NAT. For most home gamers, Open or Moderate is fine, while Strict often causes failed matchmaking, trouble hosting, and voice chat problems.
This guide explains the three types in plain language, what causes Strict NAT in 2026 home networks, and how to improve it without exposing your whole network. The names differ slightly between platforms: Xbox uses Open, Moderate, and Strict, while PlayStation uses Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Router menus and provider rules vary, so check your router manual and your internet provider’s support pages for the exact steps on your equipment.
What NAT Actually Does
Network Address Translation (NAT) lets many devices in your home share one public internet address. Your router keeps track of which device made each request and sends replies to the right place. That is useful for security, because unsolicited traffic from the internet is dropped by default. The downside is that online games sometimes need other players to start a connection to you, and the router may block it.
Open NAT
Open NAT means incoming connections can reach your device. This gives the best chance of joining any lobby and hosting games, and it is the target for peer-to-peer titles and party chat. On PlayStation, Type 1 means the console connects directly with no router, and Type 2 is the normal good result behind a router, so Type 2 is generally the one to aim for.
Moderate NAT
Moderate NAT means some incoming connections work and some do not. You can connect to most players, but you may not be able to join players with Strict NAT. This label is mainly used on Xbox and in some games, and it is a common result of a standard home router with default settings. PlayStation does not use the word, so its closest match depends on what the console reports.
Strict NAT
Strict NAT (Type 3 on PlayStation) means incoming connections are mostly blocked. You may fail to find matches, be unable to join friends, drop out of voice chat, or have trouble hosting. It is often caused by blocked ports, a double NAT setup, or an internet provider that does not give you a public address.
Why it matters for different games
Many modern games use dedicated servers, where every player connects to a server rather than to each other, and NAT matters less. Peer-to-peer games, party systems, and some voice chat services are more sensitive. Some titles show a NAT warning in their network menus, while others fail silently.
Comparison of the Three Types
| Type | PlayStation name | Connects to | Hosting and voice chat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Type 1 or Type 2 | Everyone | Reliable |
| Moderate | No exact match | Open and Moderate players | Mostly reliable |
| Strict | Type 3 | Open players only | Often problematic |
The labels depend on how each platform tests your connection, so treat the table as a general guide.
Common Causes of Strict NAT
UPnP turned off
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) lets a device ask the router to open the ports a game needs automatically. If UPnP is disabled, those ports stay closed. Turning it on is the least effort fix, though it has security trade-offs, so only enable it if you trust the devices on your network.
Double NAT
Double NAT occurs when two devices both act as routers, such as an internet provider modem-router combination with your own router connected behind it. Each performs translation, and ports must be opened on both. The usual fix is to put the provider device in bridge mode, so only your own router does the routing.
Carrier-grade NAT
Some internet providers place many customers behind one public address, called carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT). Port forwarding on your router will not work in that case because the translation happens at the provider. You may need to ask the provider whether a public address is available, which may involve a plan or setting change.
Firewall and security software
Router firewalls, PC security suites, and parental control features can block game traffic. Check these settings before changing deeper network rules.
How to Improve Your NAT Type
Start with the least invasive change and work down. Write down any router settings you change so you can restore them if needed.
- Restart your modem, router, and console or PC, then re-run the NAT test in the console’s network settings.
- Enable UPnP in the router’s administration page, save, restart the console, and test again.
- Assign your console a fixed local address using a DHCP reservation, so port rules do not break when the address changes.
- Look up the ports your game or platform needs on its official support page, and create port forwarding rules from the router to the console’s reserved address.
- Check for double NAT by comparing your router’s internet-side address with the address shown on a public lookup site. If they differ or the router shows a private address, ask your provider about bridge mode.
- If your provider uses CGNAT, contact them about a public address option.
A Note on DMZ and Safety
Many routers offer a DMZ setting, which forwards all unsolicited traffic to a single device. It can fix stubborn NAT problems, but it removes the router protection for that device, so use it only as a temporary test for a console, never for a PC with personal files. Prefer targeted port forwarding where possible, and keep firmware and system updates current. Do not forward ports to a device you are not actively using for gaming.
How to Check Your NAT Type on Each Platform
Every platform reports NAT slightly differently, and the result can change after you adjust the router, so retest after each step.
Xbox
Open the network settings from the console menu and run the network connection test. The result page lists the NAT type as Open, Moderate, or Strict, and it may also report problems such as a blocked server connection or double NAT.
PlayStation
Choose the option to test the internet connection in the network settings. The summary shows a NAT type from 1 to 3 along with download and upload speeds. A Type 3 result is the one to fix.
Windows PC
The Xbox app and some games report a NAT status for PC play. Windows uses a tunneling feature called Teredo in some cases, and problems with it can show up as a Strict or blocked result. Follow current Microsoft guidance if the Xbox network status page flags Teredo as the problem.
Nintendo Switch and others
Other consoles have similar connection tests that grade NAT type on a numbered or lettered scale. The same fixes apply: UPnP, port forwarding, and removing double NAT.
Where Wired and Wireless Fit In
NAT type is separate from connection quality, but both affect play. A wired connection is more stable than Wi-Fi, and wired setups are easier to test because there are fewer variables. If you are on Wi-Fi, a stable signal still will not fix a NAT block caused by the router or the provider.
Before You Change Anything
- Run the built-in NAT test on your platform and note the result.
- Find your router model and admin page address in the manual.
- Confirm whether your provider device is a modem, router, or both.
- Write down existing settings before editing them.
- Open the game’s support page for its port list.
Common Mistakes
- Forwarding ports to the wrong local address after the console receives a new one.
- Putting a PC in DMZ mode permanently and leaving it exposed.
- Setting up port forwarding on a router that sits behind another router.
- Assuming Strict NAT is the same as slow internet or high ping.
- Copying port lists from old forum posts instead of the current official support page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strict NAT bad for gaming?
It can be. In peer-to-peer games and party chat you may face failed matchmaking and fewer people you can connect to. In dedicated-server games the effect is often small.
Does NAT type affect ping?
Not directly. NAT controls whether connections can be made, while ping measures delay once connected. A Strict NAT can make a game choose farther or fewer matches, which may feel like worse performance.
Is UPnP safe to enable?
It is convenient, but it lets devices on your network open ports without asking you. If you prefer tighter control, leave it off and forward only the ports a specific game needs.
Why is my NAT type Strict after I changed routers?
The new router may have UPnP off by default, or it may be behind the provider device and creating double NAT. Check both, and restart every device in the chain.
