How To Change Your PS4 NAT Type To Type 2

If you’re having issues with your PlayStation 4 (PS4) connection to the PlayStation Network (PSN), like suffering frequent disconnections or high ping rates, changing your Network Address Translation (NAT) type could help. You’ll know if you need to change your NAT type if your PS4 has trouble connecting to PSN, and, under your internet settings, you see your NAT type listed as Strict or Moderate.

PS4 NAT Types

There are three main NAT types to be aware of:

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

You might think that an “Open” or “Type 1” NAT is ideal, but it’s recommended that you don’t set your router to it. It may eliminate unwanted disconnections, but it’ll leave your network type completely vulnerable. The real NAT sweet spot is NAT Type 2, Moderate.

If you’re wondering how to move your PS4 NAT Type to NAT Type 2, follow the steps below.

How to View Your PS4 NAT Type

1. On your PS4 system, go to Settings > Network > View Connection Status. Your NAT type displays at the bottom of the page.

   

How to Change Your PS4 NAT Type to Type 2

Changing your PS4 NAT type isn’t as simple as navigating through your PS4 and altering a couple of settings. It requires you to log into your router and make changes there. The process is slightly different from one router to the next, but here are the most common steps.

1. Access your router’s admin panel via your web browser by entering the IP address specified in your router’s instructions. On most routers, the default is usually 192.168.1.1. If that IP address doesn’t connect to your router, the correct one is generally found underneath the device or in the user manual. Log in to the router with the appropriate username and password to access the admin panel.
   
2. Look for a setting that allows you to enable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). You can generally find this under a section called Administration. If you don’t have an administration tab, look around, as there will be a UPnP setting somewhere.
   
3. After UPnP gets switched on, there are two ways to go about changing 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 since it leaves your system utterly open to security threats.
   
4. Port forwarding varies by router manufacturer and model, but you can access the guide to Port Forwarding to make the process easier. You may also need to assign a static IP address to the PS4.
   
5. Sony provides a list of required ports for PS4 consoles, which get used for connecting your PS4 to PSN services:
   TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
   UDP: 3478, 3479
   

After forwarding the ports and rebooting 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 extra ports that need forwarding for specific games to work correctly. Obtain the necessary ports from the game’s support pages, and have some fun!

PS4 Gaming and Streaming

Now that you know how to check and change your PS4’s NAT type, you’ll be back to gaming and streaming in no time. If you’re unsure about making changes to your router’s settings, then take a screenshot before you make any changes.

Did you run into any issues changing NAT type? Share your experience in the comments below.