How to Change the NAT Type on PS4 (2024 Guide) | ExpressVPN (2024)

NAT, or Network Address Translation, is a process used by firewalls, routers, and computers to convert private IP addresses into public ones when communicating on a larger network like the internet. Its purpose is to overcome the limited availability of IPv4 addresses, which are assigned to devices on a network, by temporarily preserving the remaining unregistered IP addresses.

PlayStation utilizes numbered NAT types that align with the commonly known names for NAT types, providing different levels of network accessibility.

• Type 1: The system is connected directly to the Internet.
• Type 2: The system is connected to the Internet with a router.
• Type 3: The system is connected to the Internet with a router.

These are to denote when the system is:

By removing restrictions and firewall settings, Open NAT types facilitate unrestricted external connections to your systems. While this ensures seamless gaming experiences without impacting speed or ping, it's important to note that Open NAT is less secure as it bypasses your router's protective filtering, leaving your connection vulnerable to cyber threats.

With strict restrictions on data flow, Strict NAT types limit the free movement of information in and out of your network. Although your router modifies your IP address, it fails to forward incoming traffic to your device, leading to challenging or even impossible online gaming experiences. Connecting to game servers becomes difficult, and slower speeds are expected due to traffic filtering.

Furthermore, Strict NAT provides the highest level of security and privacy, effectively mitigating cyber attacks such as volumetric DDoS attacks. However, it's important to keep in mind that this type of NAT is more likely to cause connectivity problems specifically with the PlayStation Network.

Before we start, here are a few things to take note of:

1. By default, PS4’s NAT Type is Type 2: Moderate
2. Type 1: Open, while more convenient to game with, isn’t ideal for your network security

To change your NAT type, you'll need to modify your router settings, which can be a bit more involved than simply adjusting your PS4 settings. It requires accessing your router's admin panel and making the necessary changes. Each router may have a slightly different process, but we can guide you through some of the most common methods below:

Step 1: Access your router’s admin settings. To do this, you typically have two options: connecting your computer directly to the router via an Ethernet cable or accessing the router's settings through a web interface. The method you choose may depend on the specific router model and its configuration.

Step 2: Log in using your router’s username and password.

Step 3: Find and enable universal plug and play (UPnP.)

From here, you have two options:

Setting up a DMZ (demilitarized zone) to assign your PS4’s NAT Type is quite easy to do but not recommended as it leaves your network vulnerable to security threats.

Step 1: Find and enable your router’s DMZ settings.
Step 2: Input your PS4’s IP address and save the changes.

By removing restrictions and firewall settings, Open NAT types facilitate unrestricted external connections to your systems. While this ensures seamless gaming experiences without impacting speed or ping, it's important to note that Open NAT is less secure as it bypasses your router's protective filtering, leaving your connection vulnerable to cyber threats.

Port forwarding is ideal as you can select specific ports that your PS4 will be connected to.

Step 1: Find your router’s port forwarding settings.

Step 2: Enter the port number or port range you want to forward. Sony has advised that gamers use the following numbers and types:

• TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
• UDP: 3478, 3479

Step 3: Save the changes and restart your PS4.

Striking a balance between open and strict settings, Moderate NAT types offer a viable option. With your connection passing through the router, acting as an initial defense, Moderate NAT allows connections to third-party servers through a few open ports. This setup provides a certain level of protection against external traffic. However, it's worth mentioning that certain options in online gaming may have limitations with NAT Type 2.

Despite the lack of a universal fix, there are multiple troubleshooting options to address NAT failure errors during gameplay and chat sessions.

Turn off your router and unplug it from the power source. Likewise, power off your PS4 console. Wait for a few minutes, then plug in and power on your router. Once the router establishes a stable connection, proceed to turn on your PS4. This power cycling process helps refresh the network connection and can resolve temporary glitches or conflicts.