How to Change Nintendo Switch NAT Type: - PureVPN Blog (2024)

Do you face connectivity problems when playing online games on your Nintendo Switch? If the answer is yes, then you might be suffering from a NAT-type problem. If you don’t know what this problem is and how you can solve it, then fret not. Because written below is a complete guide that will explain how to change NAT type with port forwarding to fix any connectivity issues.

TL;DR: Here’s how you can open ports on Nintendo Switch

What is NAT?

To learn more about the restrictive NAT type, you first need to know what NAT actually is.

To communicate with other devices on the internet, every device needs to have a unique IP address for identification purposes. Your ISP, however, only provides you with one IP address for your entire home network. In this scenario, your network needs to look for a way to get a valid IP so that its devices can communicate with other devices on the internet.

The solution, in this case, is Network Address Translation, aka NAT, that lets your router provide a unique IP address to every device connected to it.

Related: What is NAT Filtering?

Nintendo Switch NAT types

Depending on your ISP and network setup, you will be encountering either of these 5 NAT types (A, B, C, D and F) on your Nintendo Switch unit:

NAT Type A:

This status indicates that your Nintendo Switch unit can communicate online seamlessly.

NAT Type B:

This status indicates that your Nintendo Switch unit can communicate online, with minor restrictions.

Ideally, your Nintendo Switch unit needs to be at either NAT Type A or B to play with other people online.

NAT Type C:

This status indicates that your Nintendo Switch unit is facing a moderate level of restrictions while communicating online.

NAT Type D:

This status indicates that your Nintendo Switch unit is facing a moderate level of restrictions. NAT Type D units can only communicate with other Switch units with NAT Type A.

NAT Type F:

This status indicates that your Nintendo Switch unit cannot communicate with other devices and can’t play with any other people online. Consider changing either your network or router configuration with port forwarding or a VPN.

Related: NAT Types

Why get NAT type A on Nintendo Switch?

Some people use Nintendo Switch for offline games only. In that case, it shouldn’t matter what NAT type you use. However, if you want to play online games, then it is highly preferable to go for NAT type A. This would massively reduce the chance of encountering any connectivity issues when playing online games.

How to get NAT Type A on Nintendo Switch

You make your Nintendo Switch more accessible with other consoles, you’d want to get NAT type A. This can be done through port forwarding. Port forwarding allows your console behind your router to open to other consoles on the greater internet. Port forwarding your Nintendo Switch greatly improves online loading times, connection speeds, and matchmaking speeds.

To do port forwarding on Switch, you need to follow the steps below:

1. Gather necessary network information

For a successful operation, you’d need to know three things – the IP address, the subnet mask, and the default gateway.

You can easily get these three things from your computer or your smartphone.

If you have a Windows 10 computer, then you should follow the steps below:

1. Select the search bar on the bottom-left corner
2. Type cmd and enter
3. Once in command prompt, type ipconfig/all and press enter
4. Scroll through the list to find IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway

2. Set up a static IP address on your Nintendo Switch

Once you’ve recorded the required information, open your Nintendo Switch and follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to System Settings
2. Go to Internet
3. Open Internet Settings
4. Open Advanced Settings of your network
5. Select your Wi-Fi network when prompted
6. Select Change Settings
7. Look for IP Address Settings and select it
8. Open Manual
9. Select IP Address and hold down the B button to delete the existing IP address
10. Enter the IP address you recorded from the computer
11. Then change the last two digits of the address by adding the number by 20 (for instance 192.168.2.10 should be changed to 192.168.2.30
12. Now, select Subnet Mask and hold the B button to delete it
13. Enter the Subnet Mask you recorded from your computer in the field.
14. Now, select Gateway, and hold down the B button to delete it
15. Enter the default gateway as recorded from the computer and press OK.

3. Change router settings

After changing your console’s IP address to static, it’s time for you to change the settings on your router. This process is a bit difficult to explain because each router has different settings. If your router was provided by your ISP, then you should contact them for the exact steps. If not, then we’ll try our best to explain the general steps you’ll need to follow to finish the process.

After logging in to your router’s settings, find the tab where you can do port forwarding. This is usually found inside the Firewall, Security, Virtual Server, Gaming, or Applications section.

When asked for the application name, use “Nintendo Switch.” Make sure to enter the correct UDP protocol range. You will have to enter a starting port and an ending port, which are 1 through 65535 for Nintendo Switch.

Once done, enter the IP address you wrote inside your console. Apply these settings for them to take effect and make sure to save the changes before closing the window.

4. Verify your NAT type

The final step is to check if you’re getting NAT type A or not. You can do so by running an internet connection test by opening System Settings > Internet > Test connection.

Learn more: Nintendo Port Forwarding

How to Open Ports on a Nintendo Switch

When you’re using a router behind NAT (Network Address Translation), it keeps your IP address safe from prying eyes. But the downside is that using NAT-enabled routers is the primary reason why some gamers are unable to maintain a stable connection, complain about lagging issues, and can’t host gaming servers. This is where Port Forwarding comes in handy.

You can easily open ports on a router for any IP address or server and, as a result, connect your Nintendo Switch directly to an outside server or network. Port Forwarding can help you enhance the gaming performance and prevent lagging issues.

To be able to use certain online features on your Nintendo Switch, you’ll need to open ports. If you haven’t port forwarded Nintendo Switch before, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. First, you’ll need to know what ports you need to open. Each game is different, so consult the documentation that came with your game or contact the game’s publisher for more information.
2. Next, you’ll need to find your router’s IP address. This can usually be found in your router’s documentation or by doing a search online.
3. Once you have your router’s IP address, open up a web browser and enter it into the address bar. This will bring you to your router’s configuration page.
4. Now, look for a section on your router’s configuration page that says “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Servers”. Select the game you’re trying to play from the list of applications, or create a new entry if one isn’t already present.
5. Enter the port number(s) that you need to open into the “Port Range” field and make sure the protocol is set to “TCP”. Then, enter your Nintendo Switch’s IP address into the “IP Address” field.
6. Save your changes and restart your router. Once it comes back online, you should be able to play your game without any problem.

Learn more about Port Forwarding

How to Get around NAT Type D on Mobile Hotspots

There’s a simple workaround for NAT Type D issues, but it’s limited to Android devices for now. If you’re running a mobile hotspot on an Android device, the instructions mentioned below will work. Here’s what you need to do to get around NAT Type D:

• Visit the Settings option > Network and Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced > Access point names.
• Once you do that, you can change Access Point Names (APNs) and edit the numbers.
• By choosing the relevant provider, case in point: Android hotspot, you can get a NAT Type D.
• If you select the Android tethering option, you’ll get NAT Type B. With the tethering option, you can enjoy P2P online on a Nintendo Switch.

Moreover, the APN window may not offer all Access Point Names that your network provider supports on your Android device. If you’re unable to find the right provider, all you have to do is Google search the network carrier name APN settings.

What are NAT Settings on Nintendo Switch?

Nintendo Switch NAT settings involve configuring your router to achieve the desired NAT type. Here are the settings you need to consider to adjust your Nintendo Switch’s NAT type:

Port Forwarding

Set up port forwarding on your router to achieve an open or moderate NAT type. This must direct specific network traffic (ports) to your Nintendo Switch.

Ports needed for Nintendo Switch:

• 45000-65535 (UDP)
• 49152-65535 (TCP and UDP).

The exact ports for different games vary.

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

UPnP manages ports all by itself for many devices which are UPnP enabled. Enabling UPnP on your router helps you achieve a more open NAT type without manually configuring port forwarding rules.

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

If you’re still having NAT issues, you can place your Nintendo Switch in the DMZ of your router.

By doing so, your router receives internet traffic without going through internal network firewalls.

Static IP Address

Assigning a static IP address to your Nintendo Switch within your router’s settings ensures that port forwarding rules remain associated with your switch. This ensures that the port forwarding rules you set remain associated with your Switch’s IP address, preventing conflicts.

Firewall Settings

Check your router’s firewall settings. Ensure they are not overly restrictive, as this can affect your NAT type. Sometimes, simply adjusting firewall settings can help achieve a more open NAT.

Router Firmware Update

Keeping a check on router updates makes sure that network compatibility is not compromised. It also helps to resolve NAT-related issues.

Is Disabling NAT Good?

Talking about the average home network, disabling NAT is generally not recommended. It can introduce some security risks to your devices. NAT is a crucial security barrier between your private home network and the public internet.

If you disable NAT, every device connected to your network will be assigned a unique IP address, exposing them to specific security threats.

Also, disabling NAT can lead to IP address conflicts. Multiple devices may attempt to use the same public IP address, creating routing and connectivity issues. This makes it difficult for devices on your network to communicate with each other and with external servers or services.

Disabling NAT is not practical for Nintendo, as it likely leads to connectivity problems. You might experience difficulty in joining multiplayer games and voice chats.

Configuring your NAT settings to achieve the desired NAT type is better than completely disabling it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NAT type b good for switch?

NAT types for Nintendo consoles range from type A (best for peer-to-peer communication) to type F (unable to complete peer-to-peer communication). If your NAT type is A or B, your console is connected properly and should not cause any problems.

Is open NAT better for gaming?

Users who want faster gaming and less lag prefer an Open NAT. This configuration lacks a firewall, making it the least secure of the NAT options.

How to check NAT type?

Simply check your NAT type connection by running an internet connection test by opening System Settings > Internet > Test connection.