What your NAT type means for online gaming, and how to fix strict NAT

[Puma29]

If you have ever struggled to join friends in an online game, your NAT type could be the cause. Engadget explains what NAT types mean, noting that the labels differ by platform: Xbox and PC use Open, Moderate and Strict, PlayStation uses Type 1 to 3, and Switch uses A to D

NAT type does not change your speed or ping. It only decides who you can connect to

Strict NAT generally only connects to players with Open NAT, which causes matchmaking and party joining errors. Peer to peer lobbies, co-op games and some voice chat suffer the most

Double NAT, where two routers are chained together, is a common cause and can be fixed by putting the ISP router into bridge mode or setting the second router to access point mode. UPnP is the usual fix but adds some security risk, while port forwarding is safer, and if your ISP uses carrier grade NAT, IPv6 or asking for a public IP address can help

NAT problems are frustrating because the game rarely explains what is wrong. Understanding the basics can save hours of trial and error. Checking for double NAT is often the quickest win, especially if you added your own router behind the ISP's box

Have you had NAT problems in online games? And what fixed them for you?

What does NAT type mean for online gaming? - Engadgetwww.engadget.com