How to Change the NAT Type on Your PlayStation 5

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A simple guide to improving your PS5's NAT type

Written by Cory Stillman

Last Updated: November 3, 2023 Fact Checked

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Check Current NAT Type

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Change NAT Type (Port Forwarding)

The PlayStation 5 is a powerful gaming console, but it can still run into internet connectivity issues from time to time. Your Network Address Translation, or NAT, can have a huge impact on your PS5's network speed. If your matchmaking is taking longer or your group chats are dropping, you may want to look at your PS5's NAT type. This wikiHow guide will help you change the NAT type on your PS5.

Things You Should Know

To view your current NAT type, navigate to your PS5's Network Settings and select "View Connection Status".
An Open NAT type can connect to all other consoles, while a Strict NAT type can only connect to Open NAT consoles.
Change your NAT type by forwarding additional ports in your router's admin page.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Check Current NAT Type

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Power on your PS5 if you have not already. Then, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the home menu to open your Settings .
Scroll through the different sections of your Settings menu until you find the Network option. Select it to continue.

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Select "View Connection Status". Under the Connection Status tab, you will see a few different options. Select View Connection Status to view your NAT type, amongst other relevant info.
- You can also select Test Internet Connection to view your NAT type and troubleshoot any connectivity issues you may be experiencing.
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View your NAT type. Your NAT determines the amount of connections you can make from your PS5. There are three NAT types:
- Open - Can connect to everything.
  - If you are experiencing network issues with an Open NAT type, there is no need to change your NAT type. Your issues likely lies elsewhere.
- Moderate - Can connect to consoles with either an Open or Moderate NAT type.
- Strict - can only connect to consoles with an Open NAT type.
  - If you have a Moderate or Strict NAT type and want to change it, you will need to use a process called port forwarding.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Change NAT Type (Port Forwarding)

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1
Go to your router's admin page. To improve your PS5's NAT type, you will need to open additional ports on your router. There is nothing you can do through your PS5 to change its NAT type.
- The exact port forwarding instructions will vary across different routers. This wikiHow guide goes into further depth on the process.
- To access your router's admin page, enter its default gateway address into a web browser. ^{[1]
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Navigate to the Port Forwarding menu. Its location may vary across different manufacturers.
- Some portals may instead refer to the process as "port triggering" or "virtual servers".
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Add new ports. Add the following information to your router's port forwarding page:
- Protocol TCP : 1935, 3478-3480
- Protocol UDP : 3074, 3478-3479
- We also recommend adding your console's MAC and IP address on this page, guaranteeing that your router always recognizes your console's port access.
  - To find this information, return to the "View Connection Status" menu on your PS5.
Exit your router's admin portal, saving your changes as you do so.
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Restart your router and your console. Restart both devices and then test your internet connection one last time. You should see an Open NAT type.
- Keep in mind that an Open NAT type offers less protection, but the best connection. An Open NAT type will likely bypass your router's built-in firewalls.