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.

We’ll tell you what you need to know about PS4 NAT types and how to change yours to the correct one.

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. This setting may eliminate unwanted disconnections, but it’ll leave your network type completely vulnerable. The real NAT sweet spot is NAT Type 2 Moderate.

How to View Your PS4 NAT Type

1. On your PS4 system, go to “Settings,” then select “Network.”
2. Choose “View Connection Status.”
   
3. 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 the most common steps are below.

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 printed 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.
   
6. Adjust the port ranges in your router based on model.
   
7. Reboot your console for changes to take effect.
8. After forwarding the ports and rebooting your console, follow the instructions at the top of this article to identify your PS4’s current NAT type. You should now see a NAT Type 2 connection.

Note: 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.

In closing, you now know how to check and change your PS4’s NAT type. If you’re unsure about making adjustments in your router’s settings, then take a screenshot before proceeding. That way, you can revert to previous settings if needed. Also, remember that DMZ is the easiest method but the riskiest one. It’s always better to manually add ports in your router than allow all of them.

Lastly, speed and connection problems during in-game sessions do not always represent a NAT issue. Try testing your connection first to determine the appropriate action to take. You can also check the PlayStation Network status to ensure the problem is on your end and not theirs.

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