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How to Change NAT type on Xbox One

How to Change NAT type on Xbox One

The inability to play online games is expectedly linked to NAT error. For every gamer around the world, they must have know-how with terminologies like NAT type which is the first step before changing the NAT type on Xbone One.

If you are facing issues while playing online games on Xbox One and consider it to be a NAT-type related issue, follow this guide.

What is NAT?

Network Address Translation or NAT is the process executed by your router of connecting devices to the internet. It’s an initial process that distinguishes one route from another.

One of the basic objectives of NAT is to shorten the number of public IP addresses used by an organization. This is a potential step to conserve IP addresses that are already fading and strengthen the security protocols. The internet is flooding with billions of different IP address combinations getting exhausted over time. To get rid of their over-abundance, NAT does a simple trick which is to limit the number of IPs to a single IP address.

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Understanding NAT Types

Before changing NAT types on your Xbox One, let us know about the different NAT types:

Open NAT: Allows all connections by the multiplayer. This type of NAT allows users to join games freely and connect with any player hassle-free.

Moderate NAT: Allows connecting to most of the players with marginal restrictions, which is acceptable for gaming purposes.

Strict NAT: This NAT type limits the connections significantly. You may find it problematic to connect with friends or join game servers.

In case your NAT type is Moderate or Strict, it’s time to make some changes!

Step 1: Check Your Current NAT Type

  1. Turn on your Xbox One.
  2. Locate Settings > Network > Network Settings.
  3. On the top of the screen, check your current NAT type.

Step 2: Change Your NAT Type

For gamers, it is essential to change your NAT type on the Xbox One console to connect with other players in online gaming. NAT as a network tactic restricts traffic flow in and out of your console. Depending on the type of NAT, gamers may face communication issues with other players or cause high ping.

Method 1: Enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

The easiest easy to change your NAT type is by enabling UPnP on your router, which is done by following these steps:

  1. Log into your router: On a web browser, enter the IP address of your router i.e 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  2. Enter the router credentials.
  3. Locate UPnP settings, its usually under “Advanced” or “Network”.
  4. Enable UPnP, save the changes, and restart the router.

Method 2: Port Forwarding

If enabling UpnP doesn’t solve the issue, you can manually forward the required ports. This is done by:

  1. Find the IP address to your Xbne One: Go to Settings > Network . Network Settings > Advanced Settings.
  2. Log into your router.
  3. Find the Port Forwarding section.
  4. Forward the following ports for Xbone One: TCP: 53, 80, 3074 UDP: 53, 88, 3074, 500, 4500
  5. If required, assign a static IP address to your Xbox One.

Method 3: DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

Using DMZ is an effective process, however, it’s less secure. Using this might be the last resort.

  1. Access the router settings.
  2. Find the DMZ option in the security settings.
  3. Enter your Xbone One’s IP address and save the changes.

Method 4: Use a Wired Connection

At times, using a wired Ethernet connection can provide better gaming stability and NAT type than Wi-Fi.

  1. Connect your Xbone One directly to the router using an Ethernet cable.
  2. Restart Xbox One and router both.

Step 3: Test Your NAT Type

Once you have made the changes, it’s time to see if changing NAT type has worked or not.

  1. Go back to Settings > Network > Network Settings.
  2. Select Test NAT type.
After selecting Test NAT type, your Xbox will run a quick test to determine your current NAT status. Here’s what to expect next:
  • Results will be displayed, showing which NAT type your console has (Open, Moderate, or Strict).
  • You can interpret the results since you already know what type of feasibilities and limitations different NAT types offer.
  • If you have achieved an Open NAT, you are good to go!

If you are still experiencing issues with your NAT type on your Xbone One, it might be time to contact your Internet Service Provider. They must have proper guidance about adjusting or changing NAT type based on your connection.

Important Considerations before Changing NAT types

Gamers from different corners of the world should know that changing your NAT types may not have guaranteed enhanced performance while playing online games. That’s because changing NAT type only affects the way devices connected on the same router communicate with each other.  There are other factors that must be taken into consideration as well like high latency.

UPnP, which is enabled by default (if not, then do it) will open additional ports which will facilitate all devices inside and outside the local network to connect without making any manual changes. This may also affect gaming performance positively. Due to security reasons, some users do not go for using UPnP, in this case, manual configuration (port forwarding) must be done to grant open connection to all the devices involved in online gaming,

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best NAT type for gaming?

Open NAT is the best NAT type for gaming, it allows flexibility in gaming and offers optimal online performance. The purpose of Open NAT is to enable devices inside and outside a local network so they can connect without manual intervention.

Why is my NAT strict?

If you are seeing your NAT type as strict, it might be due to the router’s UPnP settings are not configured properly. UPnP is enabled by default, but if it’s disabled in your case, you must manually configure the port forwarding tactic to open up connections between devices inside and outside of the local network.

Checking the console’s network settings provided additional information about your NAT type. If it’s still on strict, there must be some issue with your UPnP settings.

Will using a wired connection improve my NAT type?

Yes, using an Ethernet connection has a certain positive impact on your connection’s stability and proficiency.  It’s because of having a better NAT type compared to the Wi-Fi network.

Is changing the NAT type safe?

Yes, changing your NAT type is generally considered safe. However, using DMZ can expose your device to certain risks, so it’s better to use a VPN or deal with caution.

How often should I test my NAT type?

Whenever you experience connectivity issues during gaming, it’s a good idea to test your NAT type, or after making changes to your network settings.

 

Summarizing

Checking your router’s UpnP settings and manual port forwarding may be of tremendous help if you are experiencing game lag or other connection issues while playing online games on Xbone One. The trick is to change from a Moderate NAT type to Open NAT type which is for optimal performance.

Following the aforementioned steps, it’s likely you should be able to make incredible improvements to your gaming performance and win these games with proper group work.

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