PS5 & Xbox NAT Type Explained: How to Fix Strict NAT and Play With Friends

You've finally finished downloading the game.

Your friend is online.

You send the invite.

And then...

"Unable to join session."

You try again.

Nothing.

Your friend invites you.

Still nothing.

Sometimes the game works perfectly with one friend but refuses to connect to another.

If you've experienced this, there's a good chance you've seen something called NAT Type in your console's network settings.

NAT problems can affect matchmaking, multiplayer connections, party communication and the ability to connect directly with other players.

The good news?

You can often fix the problem without buying a new router or changing your internet provider.

This guide explains what NAT actually means, why different NAT types can cause problems between friends, and the safest troubleshooting order for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

What Is NAT?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation.

In simple terms, your router sits between your home devices and the internet and translates the private addresses used inside your home network into internet-facing traffic.

That's normal.

The problem appears when your router or another network device restricts the connections your console needs for multiplayer.

This can make it difficult for your console to establish certain connections with another player's console.

That's when you start seeing problems such as:

Can't join a friend's lobby

Friend invitations fail

Matchmaking takes too long

Party chat doesn't work correctly

You can't host certain multiplayer sessions

Players appear offline when they're actually online

You can play with some friends but not others

The game reports a NAT warning

PS5 NAT Types Explained

PlayStation uses three main NAT classifications.

NAT Type 1

This is the least restricted configuration.

The PlayStation is connected directly to the internet without the usual router NAT layer.

It can provide very open connectivity, but you don't need Type 1 for normal gaming.

For most home users, trying to force Type 1 isn't necessary.

NAT Type 2

This is the normal target for most PlayStation users.

Your PS5 or PS4 is connected through a router, but the required connections are generally available.

You can play online, join friends and use most multiplayer features normally.

If you already have NAT Type 2 and your games work, don't start changing router settings just to chase Type 1.

Type 2 is usually perfectly fine.

NAT Type 3

This is where things can become frustrating.

Type 3 indicates a more restricted network environment.

Depending on the game and connection architecture, it can cause problems connecting to other players, party features or multiplayer sessions.

If you're seeing:

NAT Type 3 + can't join friends

it's worth troubleshooting your network.

Xbox NAT Types Explained

Xbox uses different names:

Open NAT

Best-case scenario.

Your console has few restrictions when communicating with other players.

Moderate NAT

Usually playable, but some connections may be restricted.

Strict NAT

This is the one you don't want to see if you're having trouble joining friends.

Strict NAT can limit which players your Xbox can connect with and may contribute to multiplayer or party problems.

Why Can You Play With One Friend but Not Another?

This is one of the most confusing NAT problems.

You might be thinking:

"My internet works. My game works. Why can't I play with THIS person?"

Because NAT isn't simply about whether your internet is working.

It can also depend on the network configuration on both sides.

For example:

You → Moderate NAT

Friend A → Open NAT

You may have no problem connecting.

But:

You → Moderate NAT

Friend B → Strict NAT

The connection may be much more difficult or fail completely, depending on how the game's multiplayer system establishes connections.

That's why two friends can have completely different experiences even though both have internet access.

The Fastest NAT Fix: Restart Everything

Before touching advanced router settings, start simple.

1. Completely close your game

Don't leave it suspended.

2. Restart your console

Shut it down and start it again.

3. Restart your router

Turn the router off.

Wait several minutes.

Turn it back on and allow it to fully reconnect.

4. Test your connection again

Check the NAT status on your console.

Sometimes a temporary networking problem or stale router mapping disappears after a clean restart.

Try a Wired Connection

If you're currently using Wi-Fi, connect your console directly to the router with an Ethernet cable if possible.

This won't automatically change your NAT type.

But it removes Wi-Fi instability as a possible cause of your multiplayer problems.

It also gives you a cleaner baseline for troubleshooting.

Sony recommends trying a wired connection where possible when troubleshooting PS5 network problems.

The Most Important Router Setting: UPnP

If your router supports it, UPnP can make NAT configuration much easier.

UPnP stands for Universal Plug and Play.

It allows compatible devices and applications to request the network mappings they need from the router instead of requiring you to manually configure every port.

For many home gaming setups, this is the first router setting worth checking.

Look through your router's administration interface for something similar to:

UPnP

or

Universal Plug and Play

If it's disabled, enabling it may resolve a NAT problem.

After changing the setting:

Save the configuration.

Restart the router.

Restart the console.

Test NAT again.

Important: Don't Randomly Enable Everything

This is where many online guides go wrong.

You don't need to start changing:

DNS

MTU

Firewall levels

DMZ

dozens of ports

IPv6 settings

all at once.

If you change five things simultaneously, you won't know which change fixed or caused the problem.

Change one thing → restart → test → continue only if necessary.

That's the smarter approach.

If UPnP Doesn't Work: Check for Double NAT

One of the biggest reasons NAT problems survive router changes is Double NAT.

This happens when your network effectively has two devices performing NAT.

For example:

Internet → ISP modem/router → your second router → PS5

Both network devices can be involved in routing/NAT.

That can make multiplayer connectivity more complicated.

Sony specifically recommends removing multiple NAT routers when troubleshooting certain PS5 connection problems.

Common signs of Double NAT

You may notice:

Strict NAT

NAT Type 3

Multiplayer connection problems

UPnP failures

Port forwarding that doesn't seem to work

Two routers in your home network

How to Fix Double NAT

Ideally, you want one primary router performing NAT.

Depending on your equipment, possible solutions include:

Option 1 — Bridge mode

Put the ISP modem/router into bridge mode and let your own router handle routing.

Option 2 — Access Point mode

Configure the second router as an access point instead of another router.

Option 3 — Remove the second router

If you don't actually need it, connect your console through the primary router.

The exact menu names depend on your router and ISP.

What If Your NAT Is Still Strict?

If you've:

restarted everything,

tried Ethernet,

enabled UPnP,

checked for Double NAT,

and the problem remains, your ISP may be part of the equation.

One possibility is CGNAT.

What Is CGNAT?

CGNAT stands for Carrier-Grade NAT.

Instead of your router receiving a unique public IPv4 address, your ISP may place multiple customers behind another layer of NAT.

That means you can change settings on your home router and still have an upstream NAT layer outside your control.

This is one reason port forwarding sometimes doesn't solve a Strict NAT problem.

How Do You Know If Your ISP Uses CGNAT?

Your router's WAN/Internet IP can provide a clue.

If the address shown by your router doesn't correspond to the public address visible from the internet, you may be behind another NAT layer.

Some private address ranges are also a warning sign.

If you're unsure, don't start changing advanced settings blindly.

Contact your ISP and ask:

"Am I behind CGNAT, and can you provide a public IPv4 address?"

Some ISPs can remove CGNAT or provide a public IPv4 address, sometimes for free and sometimes for an additional fee.

Port Forwarding: The Advanced Fix

If UPnP isn't working and your network is correctly configured, manual port forwarding can be considered.

Port forwarding tells the router where certain incoming traffic should go.

But there's an important rule:

Don't start with port forwarding.

Try the simpler solutions first.

And make sure your console has a stable local IP address or DHCP reservation before creating forwarding rules.

Otherwise, your forwarding rule can point to the wrong device after the console receives a different local IP.

PlayStation Network Ports

For PS5 network troubleshooting, PlayStation's support documentation lists these ports when opening ports may help:

TCP

80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480

UDP

3478, 3479, 49152–65535

These should be treated as PlayStation network troubleshooting ports, not a universal list for every individual game.

Individual games can require additional ports or use different networking architectures.

Sony itself recommends contacting your ISP if you need help configuring router ports.

Xbox Ports

Xbox Live networking has historically used ports including:

TCP

53, 80, 3074

UDP

53, 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

However, don't assume that these are the only ports a particular game needs.

Game-specific networking can use additional services and ports.

If a specific game displays its own NAT or connectivity warning, check that game's official support documentation as well.

Should You Put Your PS5 or Xbox in DMZ?

You'll see this recommendation everywhere:

"Just put your console in DMZ."

Be careful.

DMZ configuration can expose a device more broadly to incoming traffic.

It's not the first thing we recommend.

Try:

UPnP → Double NAT check → stable IP → port forwarding

before considering more aggressive router configurations.

If you're not comfortable with your router's security settings, ask your ISP or router manufacturer for help.

What About Changing DNS?

Changing DNS can sometimes help with name-resolution or connection issues.

But here's the important distinction:

DNS is not a magic NAT fix.

If your actual problem is Double NAT, CGNAT or blocked inbound connectivity, switching DNS servers won't suddenly turn Strict NAT into Open NAT.

Treat DNS as a separate troubleshooting step rather than the main NAT solution.

NAT Type vs Internet Speed

Here's another common misunderstanding.

You can have:

500 Mbps internet + Strict NAT

or:

50 Mbps internet + Open NAT

NAT type isn't a measurement of your internet speed.

It describes how your network handles certain connections.

So upgrading from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps won't necessarily solve a NAT problem.

NAT Type vs Ping

NAT isn't the same thing as latency either.

A bad NAT configuration can cause connection or matchmaking problems.

But changing from Moderate to Open NAT won't automatically reduce your ping from 60 ms to 20 ms.

Latency depends on factors such as:

Distance to the game server

Routing

Wi-Fi quality

Network congestion

ISP peering

Server location

Think of NAT as connectivity compatibility, not a speedometer.

What If Your Friend Has Strict NAT?

If your NAT is Open but your friend has Strict NAT, you may still encounter connection problems depending on the game.

The best solution is often for the player with the more restrictive network to troubleshoot first.

Ask them to check:

Their NAT status.

UPnP.

Double NAT.

Router configuration.

ISP CGNAT.

Game-specific network requirements.

Sometimes only one person needs to change their network configuration.

PS5 NAT Troubleshooting Checklist

If you're on PS5 and can't join friends, work through this list:

✅ 1. Check PlayStation Network status

Make sure there isn't a wider service outage.

✅ 2. Restart PS5

Completely restart the console.

✅ 3. Restart your router

Give it time to reconnect completely.

✅ 4. Test Ethernet

If possible, temporarily use a LAN cable.

✅ 5. Check NAT Type

Look at the result of your network connection test.

✅ 6. Enable UPnP

Check your router.

✅ 7. Check for Double NAT

Especially if you have an ISP router plus another router.

✅ 8. Check CGNAT

Contact your ISP if necessary.

✅ 9. Consider port forwarding

Only after simpler solutions fail.

✅ 10. Check the game's own support page

Some games have their own networking requirements.

Xbox NAT Troubleshooting Checklist

For Xbox:

✅ 1. Test NAT

Open your Xbox network settings and run the NAT test.

✅ 2. Restart Xbox

Completely restart the console.

✅ 3. Restart the router

Allow it to fully reconnect.

✅ 4. Try Ethernet

Remove Wi-Fi as a variable.

✅ 5. Check UPnP

Enable it on the router if appropriate.

✅ 6. Look for Double NAT

Especially if you have multiple routers.

✅ 7. Check for ISP CGNAT

Your ISP may need to help.

✅ 8. Consider manual port forwarding

Use it only when necessary.

✅ 9. Test again

Don't judge the result until you've restarted and retested the network.

NAT Type Problems Can Be Game-Specific

This is extremely important.

Your console may report a healthy NAT status while a particular game still has multiplayer problems.

That's because the game may use its own servers, matchmaking architecture or peer-to-peer systems.

So if:

PS5 NAT Type 2

but

Game X says NAT Strict

don't immediately assume the console is broken.

Check the game's networking documentation.

The 30-Second NAT Fix Order

If you don't want to read the entire guide, remember this:

Restart → Ethernet → UPnP → Double NAT → CGNAT → Port Forwarding

That's the order I'd recommend for most home users.

Don't jump directly to DMZ.

Don't change ten settings at once.

And don't assume that buying a faster internet package will fix NAT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NAT Type 2 good on PS5?

Yes. NAT Type 2 is generally a normal and suitable configuration for a PS5 connected through a router.

You don't need Type 1 just because it sounds "better."

Is Open NAT better than Moderate NAT on Xbox?

Generally, Open NAT provides fewer restrictions and can make peer connectivity easier.

However, Moderate NAT can still provide a perfectly usable multiplayer experience.

Can Strict NAT stop me from playing with friends?

It can.

Depending on the game and networking architecture, restrictive NAT can interfere with matchmaking, invitations, party communication or direct connections to other players.

Does NAT affect download speed?

Not directly.

NAT configuration is primarily about network connectivity and how connections are established, not your internet subscription's maximum download speed.

Will restarting my router fix NAT?

Sometimes.

A restart can clear temporary connection states and UPnP mappings.

If the problem returns immediately, investigate the underlying router or ISP configuration.

Does UPnP make NAT Open?

It can, but not always.

UPnP allows compatible applications to request port mappings automatically.

If you're behind Double NAT or CGNAT, enabling UPnP on only your local router may not solve the problem.

Should I use port forwarding or UPnP?

For most home users, try UPnP first.

Manual port forwarding is more advanced and requires careful configuration.

Why is my NAT Type 3 on PS5?

Common possibilities include restrictive router settings, disabled/failed UPnP, Double NAT, ISP-level CGNAT or other network configuration problems.

Why is my Xbox NAT Strict?

The Xbox may be behind a restrictive NAT configuration, Double NAT, CGNAT or router settings that prevent the required connections.

Start with a router restart and UPnP, then investigate the network topology.

Final Verdict

NAT problems are one of those gaming issues that can make a perfectly good internet connection feel completely broken.

You can have fast download speeds, low ping and everything else working normally — yet still struggle to join a friend because the network path between the two consoles is too restrictive.

The good news is that most players don't need complicated networking knowledge to start fixing it.

Remember the order:

Restart → Ethernet → UPnP → Double NAT → CGNAT → Port Forwarding

And most importantly:

Don't change advanced router settings unless you know what they do.

If your NAT becomes Open on Xbox or Type 2 on PlayStation and your friends, parties and multiplayer games work normally, stop there.

You don't need a "perfect" NAT number.

You need a connection that lets you play.