What does NAT type mean for online gaming?
If you regularly play online games, you may have noticed a setting called NAT type or even got an alert about it. Here's what it means and why it matters.
NAT type refers to network address translation, a technology used to allow multiple devices on a single home network to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet. This is important for online gaming, as NAT type can impact how well a player's device communicates with the game server and other players.
There are three main NAT types: Open, Moderate, and Strict. An Open NAT type means the device is directly connected to the internet without any restrictions, while Moderate NAT indicates the device is behind a router but can still communicate effectively. Strict NAT type, on the other hand, means the device has some ports blocked, limiting its ability to communicate normally with other players.
Open NAT is generally the best for online gaming, as it allows the device to connect to anyone else and is compatible with Moderate NAT devices. However, Strict NAT types are the least compatible, as they can only communicate with others who have Open NAT. Strict NAT types may lead to matchmaking issues and difficulty joining friends or other players.
To check your NAT type, you can go to your network settings on your gaming console or PC. On PlayStation, navigate to Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. On Xbox, go to Settings > General > Network Settings and check under Current Network Status. For Nintendo Switch, go to Settings > Internet > Test Connection.
If you have a Strict NAT type, there are a few steps you can take to improve it. First, make sure you're not using two routers, as this can create a double NAT issue where there are two layers of address translation. If you have a second router acting as an access point, put it in AP mode instead of double routing. Another common fix is to enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) on your router, which allows devices on your network to request necessary ports to be forwarded automatically. However, keep in mind that UPnP also introduces some security risks if your network is compromised.
Written by urgent.news from Engadget's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
