How to change your PS4 NAT type to

If you're having issues with your PlayStation 4 (PS4) connection to PlayStation Network (PSN), such as frequent disconnections or high ping rates, changing your network address translation (NAT) type may help. You'll know if you need to change your NAT type if your PS4 is having trouble connecting to PSN and under your internet settings you see your NAT type listed as Strict or Moderate.

There are three main types of NAT to be aware of:

• Type 1 NAT – Open
• Type 2 NAT – Moderate
• Type 3 NAT – strict

You might think an "open" or "Type 1" NAT is ideal, but it's recommended that you don't configure your router on it. This may eliminate unwanted disconnects, but it will leave your network type completely vulnerable. The real NAT sweet spot is Type 2, Moderate NAT.

If you are wondering how to move your PS4 NAT type to NAT type 2, follow the steps below.

How to View Your PS4 NAT TypeAccess Your Router's Admin PanelHow to View Your PS4 NAT Type

1. On your PS4 system, go to « Settings | Network | View connection status. Your NAT type is displayed at the bottom of the page.
   

   

How to Change Your PS4 NAT Type to Type 2

Changing your PS4 NAT type isn't as easy as navigating through your PS4 and changing a few settings. It requires you to log into your router and make changes there. The process is slightly different from router to router, but here are the most common steps.

1. Access your router's admin panel through your web browser by entering the " IP adress” specified in your router instructions. On most routers, the default is usually " 192.168.1.1. If this IP address does not connect to your router, the correct one is usually found under the device or in the user manual. Log in to the router with the appropriate username and password to access the administration panel.
   
2. Look for a setting that allows you to enable "Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)". You can usually find it in a section called “Administration”. If you don't have an admin tab, look around because there will be a UPnP setting somewhere.
   
3. Once UPnP is enabled, there are two ways to change the NAT type: 1) Assign NAT to your network's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 2) Forward specific ports to the PS4 console. DMZ is the last resort as it leaves your system totally open to security threats.
   
4. Port forwarding varies by router manufacturer and model, but you can access the port forwarding guide to make the process easier. You may also need to assign a static IP address to the PS4.
   
5. Sony offers a list of required ports for PS4 consoles, which is used to connect your PS4 to PSN services:
   TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
   UDP: 3478, 3479
   

After forwarding ports and restarting your console, follow the instructions at the top of this article to identify your PS4's NAT type. You should now see a NAT Type 2 connection. There may also be additional ports that need to be forwarded for specific games to work properly. Get the necessary ports from the game's support pages and have fun!