Introduction 

Are you experiencing issues with your gameplay on PS5? Then, your NAT type might be the root cause. The PlayStation 5 offers a seamless gaming experience, wholly packed with stellar graphics and a slick design. However, no matter how good the technology may be, it can also run into connectivity issues from time to time, which affects your gameplay. One of the biggest problems for console gamers is Network Address Translation, also known as NAT. 

NAT operates through your router and connects your local network and the internet. The router translates private addresses of the network into a single public IP address, which creates a stable environment for gaming and other online activities. Sometimes, however, your NAT type can cause issues while gaming. These include restricting who you can play with online, which can create longer matchmaking sessions and make it challenging to talk to your friends on group chats. These issues are usually an indicator that you have a Moderate or Strict NAT.

However, the good news is that you can prevent these issues by changing your NAT type to Open on PS5. This process also requires you to dip your toes into Port Forwarding, and if all of this seems a little complicated, then don’t worry, as we’re here to walk you through it all. We will also discuss how you can change your NAT type using different methods. So, with that out of the way, let’s get into it.

What Is NAT Type on PS5 And How Does It Work? 

NAT type on PS5 is a setting that dictates how your PS5 console interacts with other devices and services on the internet. NAT is an essential component for home net setups, as it determines the level of connectivity you have with the other players and online services. Your PS5 doesn’t determine what NAT type you use, but specific configurations on your console can create connectivity issues for your console. 

Most of the games on the PSN servers use P2P connections when you’re gaming online on your PS5. When playing an online multiplayer game, one player serves as the host while the others join their server as guests. Since it is your NAT type that determines how open or strict your connection’s security is, it decides the type of users you can play with. 

What Are The NAT Types? 

Three NAT types are found on the PS5. Let’s look at them in detail:

1) NAT Type 1 (Open)

It is the most desired NAT type for online gaming. This type indicates that your PS5 has a direct connection to the internet and can easily communicate with other devices without any restrictions. Since there are no firewalls or barriers, you shouldn’t experience any issues when trying to connect to other players or game servers. You can achieve NAT Type 1 by connecting your PS5 directly to the modem, which enables it to bypass any firewalls or routers.

2) NAT Type 2 (Moderate)

It is the most common and generally accepted NAT type for online gaming. NAT type 2 is usually an indicator of the fact that although your PS5 is behind a router or firewall, it has all the necessary ports and settings that are open for most online gaming services. Although you can connect to other players and online services, there may be some restrictions, which include voice chat issues and slower matchmaking. Most gamers can enjoy online gaming with NAT Type 2 without significant problems.

3) NAT Type 3 (Strict)

This NAT type is the most restrictive one. It indicates that your PS5 is behind a strict firewall and router, which does not allow incoming restrictions from the internet. It can create issues with connecting to other players, slower matching making, and problems with the voice chat functionality. Some games and online services will not work with NAT Type 3. 

How Can You Find Your NAT Type On PS5?

If you want to change your NAT type on PS5, you will first have to confirm the NAT type that you currently have. You can check this through the following ways:

• Go to Settings and then select Network.

• Once you’ve entered Network, click on Connection Status and then select Test Internet Connection. The test will take a couple of minutes to complete.

1. Once the test is complete, it will display your NAT type.
2. If you have NAT Type 3, you can change it to NAT Type 1. If it’s Type 2, only switch to Type 1 if nothing else seems to be working.

How To Change NAT Type On PS5

As we mentioned, you should change your NAT type if you’ve tried everything and it still doesn’t work. There are two ways through which you can change your NAT type, and these include using the UPnP method or Port Forwarding for PS5. Let’s go over it:

1. Using UPnP

Using UPnP (Universal Play and Plug) is an easy and effective way to change your NAT type on PS5. UPnP is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get Open NAT across all your devices. It makes it easier for external devices to connect to devices on your network over the internet. Here’s the step-by-step process of changing your NAT type using UPnP:

1. Make sure that your PS5 is connected to the home network. Your home network should be connected either through a wired Ethernet connection or a WiFi connection.
2. Enable UPnP on your router. You can achieve this by accessing the router’s web interface by typing the IP address into the web browser, for which you will need the router’s admin credentials.
3. Navigate to the UPnP settings through your router’s configuration page. The exact location and name of the options can vary depending on your router’s model.
4. By enabling UPnP, you’re allowing the devices on your network, like your PS5, to automatically request and open the essential ports needed for online gaming and other applications.
5. After that, you can turn off your PS5 and then wait a couple of minutes before turning it back on. You can then test the NAT type on your PS5 to check and confirm that the NAT type has changed to either Type 2 or Type 1.

2) Using Port Forwarding 

Port Forwarding has higher network security than UPnP and works with all devices. With port forwarding, you will have to open the ports on your network manually. If you’re manually setting up Port Forwarding, specify which ports to open for the PS5. Once you’ve identified the ports, you can set up port forwarding by adding the essential port numbers and the local IP address of your PS5. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Find your PS5’s local IP address. This is the address where you will forward ports to.
2. Access your router’s web interface. Look for the Port Forwarding section in your router’s settings. 
3. Add a new port forwarding rule. Here, you must specify information such as External Port Range, Service Name, Internal IP address, Internal Port Range, and Protocol.
4. Save your settings and then restart your router.

You can also set up a static IP address for your console to ensure that your PS5 always has the same local IP address. After you’ve made the changes, save your router settings and then restart both the router and PS5 to implement the changes. Go to the PS5’s network settings and check your NAT type to see if it’s changed to NAT Type 2 (Moderate) or NAT Type 1 (Open).

Conclusion 

Your network’s NAT type plays a considerable role in determining how seamless your gaming experience is. The NAT type on your PS5 can seriously impact your gaming experience. It is ideal to have a NAT Type 1 (Open) or NAT Type 2 (Moderate), with Type 1 being the most desirable. If you’re still experiencing connection or display issues after setting up Open NAT, it could be related to hardware—especially if your screen stays black or flickers. In such cases, it’s worth checking your HDMI port and considering professional PS5 HDMI replacement. This guide outlines the step-by-step process of changing your NAT type if it hinders your gaming experience.