Achieving an "Open" NAT type on a PC is the most effective way to eliminate matchmaking delays, voice chat failures, and connectivity drops in multiplayer games. While many users look for a magic setting within Windows to fix this, NAT (Network Address Translation) is primarily a function of your router. To change your NAT type, you must configure your network hardware to allow incoming data packets to reach your computer without being blocked or misdirected by the firewall.

Understanding the Three Tiers of NAT Types

Before diving into technical configurations, it is essential to identify what your current NAT status means for your gaming experience. Most games categorize NAT into three levels:

Open NAT (Type 1)

This is the ideal state for gamers. An Open NAT means your PC can connect to anyone else’s server, and other players can connect to you. In this state, your router allows all necessary game data through designated ports. You can host matches, and your search times for finding lobbies will be significantly shorter.

Moderate NAT (Type 2)

In a Moderate state, your PC is behind a router that is performing some filtering. You can connect to players with Open or Moderate NAT types, but you will be unable to communicate or play with those on a Strict NAT. This is the most common status and is generally acceptable, though not optimal for hosting.

Strict NAT (Type 3)

A Strict NAT is the most restrictive. Your router blocks almost all unsolicited incoming connections. You can only connect to players who have an Open NAT. This leads to long wait times in queues, frequent "Unable to Join Session" errors, and the inability to hear other players in integrated voice chats.

Essential Preparation: Finding Your Network Details

To modify router settings, you first need to identify your PC’s local identity and the router’s administrative address.

  1. Press the Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
  2. In the black command prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
  3. Locate your active connection (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and write down the following two addresses:
    • IPv4 Address: Usually starts with 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x. This is your PC’s current ID on the local network.
    • Default Gateway: This is the IP address of your router. You will need this to access the settings menu.

Enabling UPnP for Automatic Configuration

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is the easiest method to achieve an Open NAT. It allows your games to automatically "ask" the router to open the specific ports they need during a session.

How to Activate UPnP

To enable this feature, you must log into your router's firmware. Open a web browser and type your Default Gateway address into the URL bar. You will be prompted for a username and password; these are typically found on a sticker on the physical router or in the manual.

Once logged in, navigate to the Advanced or NAT Forwarding section. Look for a setting labeled UPnP and toggle it to Enabled. After saving the settings, restart both your router and your PC.

In our testing across various router brands like TP-Link, ASUS, and Netgear, enabling UPnP resolved NAT issues for approximately 80% of users. However, if your game still reports a Strict NAT after a reboot, you will need to move to manual port forwarding.

Setting a Static IP Address for Stability

Manual methods like Port Forwarding require your PC to have the same IP address every time it connects. By default, routers use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which might change your PC's IP address every few days. If the IP changes, your port forwarding rules will point to the wrong device, breaking your connection.

Assigning a Static IP in Windows

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
  2. Click Change adapter options.
  3. Right-click your connection and select Properties.
  4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  5. Select Use the following IP address.
  6. Enter the IPv4 address you found earlier, but ensure the last digit is outside the range usually assigned to other devices (e.g., if your gateway is 192.168.1.1, try 192.168.1.150).
  7. Fill in the Subnet Mask (usually 255.255.255.0) and the Default Gateway.
  8. For DNS, you can use Google’s public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

Manually Configuring Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is the professional standard for fixing NAT issues. It tells the router, "Whenever data arrives on this specific port, send it directly to this specific PC."

Step-by-Step Port Forwarding

Every game uses different ports. For example, Call of Duty often requires UDP port 3074, while the Steam platform uses a range of TCP and UDP ports. You can find specific port requirements for your game on the developer's official support page.

  1. Inside your router's admin panel, find the Port Forwarding, Virtual Server, or NAT Gaming tab.
  2. Select Add New or Create Rule.
  3. Enter a name for the rule (e.g., "Gaming PC").
  4. Enter the External Port and Internal Port numbers provided by the game developer.
  5. Select the Protocol (TCP, UDP, or Both).
  6. Enter the Static IP Address you assigned to your PC in the previous section.
  7. Save and Apply.

Utilizing the DMZ as a Last Resort

If UPnP and Port Forwarding fail, you can use the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). This setting effectively places your PC outside the router’s firewall, exposing it directly to the internet.

Security Warning: Placing a PC in the DMZ removes the router's layer of protection. Ensure your Windows Firewall is fully active and you have robust security software installed before choosing this route.

To enable DMZ, find the DMZ setting in your router's security menu, enter your PC’s static IP address, and toggle it to On. This is almost guaranteed to result in an Open NAT, but it should only be used if all other methods fail.

Troubleshooting Advanced Connectivity Obstacles

Sometimes, despite perfect router settings, your NAT remains Strict. This is usually due to factors outside your immediate control, such as Double NAT or ISP-level restrictions.

Identifying Double NAT

Double NAT occurs when you have two routers connected in a series—for example, an ISP-provided modem/router combo connected to your own high-end gaming router. Both devices are trying to perform NAT, which confuses the data packets.

To check for this, look at the WAN IP address in your gaming router's status page. If that IP starts with 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x, you have a Double NAT. To fix this, you should set your ISP's modem to Bridge Mode, which disables its routing capabilities and allows your gaming router to handle everything.

Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT)

Many modern Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use CGNAT to conserve IPv4 addresses. Under CGNAT, you share a public IP address with hundreds of other customers. Because the "real" NAT happens at the ISP's data center, no amount of port forwarding on your local router will change your NAT type.

To verify if you are on CGNAT, compare the WAN IP address shown in your router's settings to the IP address shown when you search "What is my IP" on Google. If they do not match, you are likely behind CGNAT. The only solution here is to contact your ISP and request a Static Public IP address, which often incurs a small monthly fee.

Optimizing Windows Settings for NAT Discovery

While the router does the heavy lifting, Windows must be prepared to receive the incoming data.

Enable Network Discovery

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
  3. Under the Private profile, select Turn on network discovery and check the box for Turn on automatic setup of network-connected devices.

Adjust Windows Defender Firewall

Ensure your game has permission to communicate through the system firewall:

  1. Type "Firewall" in the Windows search bar and select Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
  2. Click Change settings.
  3. Find your game in the list and ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked.

Summary of Effective NAT Management

Opening your NAT type involves a logical progression of steps. Start by enabling UPnP in your router for a quick fix. If that fails, assign a Static IP to your PC and configure Port Forwarding for your specific games. For those stuck behind a Double NAT, switching the primary modem to Bridge Mode is essential. Finally, if the issue persists despite these efforts, investigate whether your ISP uses CGNAT, as this requires a service-level change rather than a hardware configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Open NAT type safe for my PC?

While an Open NAT is generally safe for gaming, it does increase the "visibility" of your device to the internet. As long as you keep your Windows Firewall active and avoid placing your PC in the DMZ indefinitely, the risk is minimal for most home users.

Why does my NAT type change back to Moderate or Strict?

This usually happens because your PC's internal IP address changed (DHCP lease expired). Setting a static IP or using DHCP Reservation in your router settings will prevent this from happening.

Will opening my NAT type increase my download speed?

Not directly. NAT type affects connectivity and the ability to talk to other players. It does not increase the raw bandwidth (Mbps) provided by your ISP, although it may lead to more stable connections to game update servers.

Can I get an Open NAT using a VPN?

Some gaming-specific VPNs offer port forwarding features that can help bypass NAT issues, especially if you are on a restricted network (like a university dorm). However, a standard VPN often results in a Moderate NAT due to the encryption overhead and shared server IPs.

How do I check my NAT type without launching a game?

On Windows 10 and 11, you can check your status via the Xbox settings. Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Networking. This utility will run a test and report your NAT type and server connectivity status.