If your PlayStation 5 suddenly refuses to join friends, drops voice chat, struggles with multiplayer matchmaking, or treats Remote Play like it has entered witness protection, your NAT type may be the tiny network gremlin causing the drama. The good news? You do not need to be a certified network wizard to understand it. You just need to know where to check it, what the numbers mean, and which fixes are actually worth trying.

In this guide, you will learn how to check NAT type on PS5, what NAT Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 mean, and how to change NAT type on PlayStation 5 using practical fixes like rebooting your router, switching to Ethernet, enabling UPnP, setting a static IP address, using port forwarding, and checking with your internet service provider. Think of this as giving your PS5 a clearer path to the online world instead of making it squeeze through a digital dog door.

What Is NAT Type on PS5?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation. In simple terms, it is the system your router uses to let multiple devices in your home share one internet connection. Your phone, laptop, smart TV, tablet, and PS5 all talk to the internet through your router, and NAT helps keep track of who asked for what.

For everyday browsing, NAT usually works quietly in the background. For online gaming, however, NAT can affect how easily your console connects to other players, game servers, party chat, and Remote Play sessions. Multiplayer games often need fast two-way communication. If your router is too strict, your PS5 may connect to the internet but still have problems joining certain lobbies or hearing your squadmate yell, “Behind you!” five seconds too late.

PS5 NAT Types Explained

NAT Type 1: Open or Direct Connection

NAT Type 1 usually means your PS5 is connected directly to the internet without a router in the way, or it has very little restriction between the console and the outside network. It is the most open type, but it is not always the most realistic or safest setup for a normal home network. Most people use a router, and that is perfectly fine.

NAT Type 2: Moderate and Usually Ideal

NAT Type 2 is what most PS5 players should aim for. It means your PlayStation 5 is connected through a router, but the router is allowing enough traffic for online gaming, party chat, downloads, and multiplayer features to work normally. If your PS5 shows NAT Type 2 and your games run well, do not chase NAT Type 1 just because it sounds cooler. Type 2 is the reliable middle child of PlayStation networking.

NAT Type 3: Strict and Often Problematic

NAT Type 3 means your connection is restricted. Your console may still access the internet and download updates, but you can run into problems with multiplayer matchmaking, voice chat, hosting sessions, or connecting through PS Remote Play. If your PS5 shows NAT Type 3, that is your cue to investigate your router, firewall, ISP settings, or possible double NAT issues.

How to Check NAT Type on Your PlayStation 5

Checking NAT type on PS5 only takes a minute. You do not need a laptop, command line, or dramatic music. Use the console’s built-in internet connection test.

1. Turn on your PS5 and go to the home screen.
2. Select Settings from the top-right corner.
3. Choose Network.
4. Select Connection Status.
5. Choose Test Internet Connection.
6. Wait for the test to finish.
7. Look for the line labeled NAT Type.

The test may also show your download speed, upload speed, connection method, and PlayStation Network sign-in status. If your NAT type says Type 2, you are probably in good shape. If it says Type 3 or failed, keep reading. Your router is about to receive a polite but firm performance review.

Before You Change Anything: Do These Basic Fixes First

Before changing router settings, start with the easy fixes. Many NAT problems are caused by temporary router bugs, weak Wi-Fi, or an unstable connection rather than a deep configuration issue.

Restart Your PS5, Modem, and Router

Power cycling sounds basic because it is basic, but it works more often than people want to admit. Turn off your PS5. Unplug your modem and router for at least one minute, then plug the modem back in first. Wait until it fully reconnects, then plug in the router. After the network is back online, turn on your PS5 and run the internet connection test again.

Check PlayStation Network Status

If PlayStation Network is having an outage or maintenance period, your console may report connection errors that are not really caused by your home network. Before wrestling with router settings, check whether PSN itself is running normally.

Use a Wired Ethernet Connection

Wi-Fi is convenient, but Ethernet is usually more stable for gaming. If your PS5 is near your router, connect it with a LAN cable, then go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection and choose wired LAN. A wired connection will not magically change every strict NAT issue, but it removes Wi-Fi interference from the suspect list.

How to Change NAT Type on PS5

You cannot press a single “Change NAT Type” button on PS5. Instead, you change how your router handles traffic for your console. The goal is usually to move from NAT Type 3 to NAT Type 2. The following methods are listed from easiest to more advanced.

1. Enable UPnP on Your Router

UPnP stands for Universal Plug and Play. It allows devices on your network, including game consoles, to request the ports they need automatically. For many PS5 users, enabling UPnP is the simplest fix for strict NAT.

The exact steps depend on your router brand, but the general process looks like this:

1. Open a web browser on a phone or computer connected to your home network.
2. Enter your router’s address, often something like 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or a router-specific address printed on the device.
3. Log in with your router admin username and password.
4. Look for Advanced, NAT Forwarding, WAN, or UPnP.
5. Turn UPnP on.
6. Save the setting and restart your router.
7. Restart your PS5 and test the internet connection again.

UPnP is convenient, but it should be used with common sense. Keep your router firmware updated and avoid enabling UPnP on networks full of unknown devices. For a normal home gaming setup, it is often the cleanest solution. For a public or shared network, be more careful.

2. Assign a Static IP Address to Your PS5

Port forwarding works best when your PS5 always keeps the same local IP address. If your router changes the PS5’s IP address later, your forwarding rules may point to the wrong device. That is like mailing your pizza to your neighbor and wondering why dinner never arrives.

You can handle this in two ways. The easier method is to reserve an IP address for your PS5 inside your router settings. This is often called DHCP reservation, address reservation, or reserved IP.

To find your PS5 network details:

1. Go to Settings on your PS5.
2. Select Network.
3. Choose Connection Status.
4. Select View Connection Status.
5. Write down the IP address and MAC address.

Then log in to your router, find the connected devices list, select your PS5, and reserve its current IP address. After saving, restart the router and PS5.

3. Use Port Forwarding for PS5

If UPnP does not fix NAT Type 3, manual port forwarding is the next serious step. Port forwarding tells your router to send specific PlayStation traffic directly to your PS5.

Common PlayStation Network ports include:

• TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
• UDP: 3478, 3479

Some PlayStation troubleshooting guidance also references wider UDP ranges for certain connection problems. However, you should start with the core PlayStation Network ports first instead of opening huge ranges without a reason.

Here is the basic port forwarding process:

1. Reserve a static IP address for your PS5.
2. Log in to your router admin page.
3. Find Port Forwarding, Port Range Forwarding, NAT Forwarding, Apps and Gaming, or a similar menu.
4. Create rules for the PlayStation TCP and UDP ports.
5. Set the destination IP address to your PS5’s reserved local IP address.
6. Save the rules.
7. Restart your router and PS5.
8. Run Test Internet Connection again.

Do not forward the same ports to multiple devices at the same time. If you have two PS5 consoles in one house, UPnP may handle them better than manual forwarding. Manual port forwarding is precise, but it is not always flexible.

4. Check for Double NAT

Double NAT happens when your connection passes through two routers that are both doing NAT. A common example is using an ISP modem-router combo plus your own gaming router. Your PS5 may be behind Router A, which is behind Router B, and by the time traffic reaches your console, the network path looks like a hallway designed by a confused architect.

Signs of double NAT include:

• Your PS5 stays on NAT Type 3 even after UPnP is enabled.
• Port forwarding rules do not work.
• Your router’s WAN IP address looks like a private address, such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16-31.x.x.
• You use both an ISP gateway and a separate router.

To fix double NAT, place your ISP gateway into bridge mode, or set your own router as the main router and disable routing features on the ISP device. Some providers call this IP passthrough. If you are not comfortable changing this, contact your ISP and ask them to help you avoid double NAT for gaming.

5. Ask Your ISP About CGNAT

Carrier-grade NAT, often called CGNAT, is when your internet provider places multiple customers behind shared public IP addresses. This can make port forwarding impossible from your home router because the restriction is happening upstream at the ISP level.

If you have tried UPnP, static IP reservation, port forwarding, and double NAT fixes but your PS5 still shows NAT Type 3, contact your ISP and ask these questions:

• “Am I behind CGNAT?”
• “Can I get a public IPv4 address?”
• “Do you offer a static IP or gaming-friendly public IP option?”
• “Can you help me configure bridge mode or IP passthrough?”

This is especially important for some mobile internet, 5G home internet, apartment networks, dorm networks, and budget broadband plans. Sometimes the problem is not your PS5 at all. Sometimes your ISP is the final boss.

Should You Use DMZ for PS5?

Many guides recommend putting your PS5 in the router’s DMZ. DMZ sends most unsolicited inbound traffic to one device, which can sometimes improve NAT behavior. However, it is a broader and less precise setting than port forwarding.

If you use DMZ, only apply it to your PS5’s reserved IP address, never to a computer with personal files. Also, do not combine DMZ with a random mess of port forwarding rules unless you know what you are doing. For most players, try UPnP first, then static IP reservation, then targeted port forwarding. Treat DMZ like the emergency wrench in the toolbox, not the first screwdriver you grab.

Common PS5 NAT Problems and Fixes

Problem: PS5 Shows NAT Type 3

Start with a router restart, then test a wired connection. If NAT Type 3 remains, enable UPnP. If that fails, reserve your PS5’s IP address and forward the PlayStation Network ports. If it still fails, check for double NAT or CGNAT.

Problem: NAT Type Failed

A failed NAT test can happen when the console cannot properly evaluate the network path. Check PlayStation Network status, restart your modem and router, reconnect your PS5 to the network, and try Ethernet. If the issue continues, review firewall settings and contact your ISP.

Problem: Party Chat Does Not Work

If downloads work but party chat fails, NAT restrictions may be blocking peer-to-peer communication. UPnP or port forwarding often helps. Also check whether your headset, privacy settings, or PlayStation party settings are causing the issue before blaming the router for everything. Routers have feelings too, probably.

Problem: Remote Play Will Not Connect

Remote Play is more sensitive to strict NAT conditions. If your PS5 or remote device is on NAT Type 3, connections may fail. Use a stable home network, avoid public Wi-Fi when possible, enable UPnP, and make sure your console is properly connected to PlayStation Network.

Best Practices for a Better PS5 Online Connection

Changing NAT type is only one part of improving PS5 online performance. A good NAT type helps you connect, but latency, packet loss, weak Wi-Fi, and overloaded networks can still ruin a match faster than someone choosing the wrong loadout.

• Use Ethernet whenever possible.
• Place your router in an open location, not buried behind a TV stand.
• Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi if your PS5 is close to the router.
• Use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi if you need longer range through walls.
• Update your router firmware.
• Restart your router occasionally.
• Avoid downloading huge files while gaming online.
• Keep your PS5 system software updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What NAT type is best for PS5?

NAT Type 2 is best for most PS5 players. It means your console is behind a router but still has enough access for online gaming, party chat, and PlayStation Network features. NAT Type 1 is more open, but it is not necessary for most home users.

Can I change NAT type directly on the PS5?

No. The PS5 can show your NAT type, but the actual change happens on your router or through your ISP. You change NAT behavior by adjusting UPnP, port forwarding, firewall rules, bridge mode, or public IP settings.

Is NAT Type 3 bad?

NAT Type 3 is not ideal for online gaming. Your PS5 may still connect to the internet, but you may experience trouble joining games, hosting sessions, using voice chat, or connecting through Remote Play.

Will port forwarding make my PS5 faster?

Port forwarding does not usually increase download speed or lower ping by itself. It improves how incoming traffic reaches your console, which can help with matchmaking, chat, and connection stability in some games.

Should I disable my firewall to fix NAT type?

No. Disabling your router firewall is not a smart first move. Use safer options like UPnP, DHCP reservation, and targeted port forwarding. Your firewall is not the villain; it just needs better instructions.

Real-World Experience: What Usually Works When Fixing PS5 NAT Type

In real home setups, the fastest NAT fix is rarely the most complicated one. The most common success story starts with a simple router reboot and ends with enabling UPnP. Many players spend an hour typing port numbers into router menus when the real issue was a router that had not been restarted since the last time someone dusted the entertainment center. Networking equipment can run for months, but it can also get weird. When in doubt, restart first.

The second most reliable fix is switching from Wi-Fi to Ethernet. This does not directly “open” NAT, but it gives you a cleaner baseline. If your PS5 is on weak Wi-Fi, every test result becomes harder to trust. Ethernet removes signal drops, interference, and distance from the equation. Once the wired connection is stable, NAT troubleshooting becomes much easier. It is like trying to diagnose a car only after you stop driving it through a thunderstorm.

For players using their own router behind an ISP gateway, double NAT is a sneaky troublemaker. Everything may look normal: the PS5 connects, Netflix works, downloads happen, and the router lights blink happily. But online games still complain. In those cases, bridge mode or IP passthrough often fixes what port forwarding cannot. The important lesson is this: if your router is behind another router, forwarding ports on only one device may not be enough.

Another real-world tip is to avoid changing ten settings at once. Do one fix, restart the router and PS5, then test again. If you enable UPnP, create port forwarding rules, change DNS, switch Wi-Fi bands, use DMZ, and reboot three devices all at the same time, you may fix the issue but have no idea what actually worked. Worse, you may create a new problem while solving the old one. Network troubleshooting rewards patience, which is annoying but true.

Finally, do not assume NAT Type 1 is the goal. Many players see “Type 2” and think they are missing out on a secret elite connection mode. In most normal home networks, NAT Type 2 is exactly what you want. It means your PS5 is protected behind a router while still able to connect properly for gaming. If your multiplayer works, party chat is clear, and Remote Play connects reliably, you have won. Put the router menu down, back away slowly, and go enjoy your game.

Conclusion

Learning how to check and change the NAT type on your PlayStation 5 can save you from frustrating multiplayer errors, broken party chat, and Remote Play headaches. Start by checking your NAT type from Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. If you see NAT Type 2, you are probably good. If you see NAT Type 3 or NAT failed, work through the fixes in order: restart your network, use Ethernet, enable UPnP, reserve a static IP for your PS5, forward PlayStation Network ports, check for double NAT, and contact your ISP if CGNAT may be involved.

The best fix is the one that solves the problem without making your network less safe. Do not randomly disable firewalls or open every port under the sun. Give your PS5 the access it needs, keep your router updated, and remember that NAT Type 2 is not a consolation prize. It is the normal, healthy, game-ready setup for most PlayStation 5 players.