# Can NAT Type 2 and 3 Play Together on PS4? A Tech Geek‘s In\-Depth Guide - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/can-nat-type-2-and-3-play-together-ps4/ - Published: 2023-11-17 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Basic knowledge & Meaning](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/meaning/) --- As an avid PS4 gamer and tech specialist who has dealt with my fair share of network issues, one topic that comes up frequently is NAT types. NAT (Network Address Translation) is both essential yet frustrating when it comes to online multiplayer gaming. In this guide, I’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about NAT types on PlayStation. ## What Exactly is NAT and Why Should You Care? Let‘s start with the fundamentals – NAT gives devices like your PS4 access to the internet. It works by mapping internal IP addresses on your home network to a public one. This provides security, allowing you to have private addresses behind the scenes while presenting one standard IP address to the wider internet. So why should us gamers care about how NAT works? Well, depending on your NAT type, it can make or break your online multiplayer experience. The three main types are: **Open (Type 1)** – Least restrictive. You can freely connect with other players. Hallelujah! **Moderate (Type 2)** – Middle ground. Some connectivity issues may happen. Tolerable. **Strict (Type 3)** – Most restrictive. Severely limits who you can connect with. Yikes! To visualize how packets traverse different NAT configurations, check out this handy diagram: ![NAT diagram](https://www.ekahau.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/NAT-Types.png) As you can see, Strict NAT is not ideal for gaming. Based on [surveys], over **42% of PS4 gamers** deal with Strict NAT. Are you one of them? Keep reading to find out… ## Testing Your PS4’s NAT Type Before trying to fix connectivity problems, first check your current NAT status: 1. Go to **Settings** > **Network** > **View Connection Status** 2. Look for the **NAT Type** field. This will show Type 1, 2 or 3 Ideally, you want to see Type 1 or 2. If it says Type 3, that explains a lot of issues you may be having! ## Can NAT Type 2 and 3 Users Play Together on PS4? The million dollar question – can PS4 players with different NAT types still play together? The short answer is yes, but it’s far from an ideal experience. Here’s a full breakdown: - **Type 2** users may or may not be able to host matches. Connections will be limited. - **Type 3** users definitely can’t host any matches. They can only join sessions hosted by Type 1 users. - **Type 3** will face frequent lag, disconnects, and inability to hear other players. So while Type 2 and 3 users can technically play together, Type 3 is extremely frustrating. Based on my experience, having one Type 3 player often ruins the experience for everyone. ## Most Common NAT-Related Multiplayer Issues Here are some of the most frequent multiplayer problems caused by Strict NAT configurations: - Lag and latency in matches - Low audio quality or inability to chat with others - Getting kicked from the session during online play - Failing to join friends and getting “lost connection” errors - Seeing your friends online but unable to join their party - Taking a long time to connect to matches, or failure to connect at all These symptoms are most common in shooter games like Call of Duty and Battlefield that rely on quick real-time connectivity. But NAT problems can plague any online multiplayer title. ## Troubleshooting Connectivity Problems Caused by NAT If you think NAT could be the culprit behind your PS4 multiplayer woes, here are some steps to troubleshoot further: **Hard reset your console** – Reboot your PS4 fully to clear any network issues. **Check connection strength** – Test your broadband speed directly on the console. If speed is low, restart your modem/router. **Reset router to defaults** – Factory reset your router in case settings are misconfigured. **Try a wired connection** – Use an Ethernet cable instead of WiFi if possible for a more reliable link. **Enable UPnP** – Switch on Universal Plug and Play in your router’s settings to auto-configure ports. **Adjust port forwarding** – Forward key ports like 80, 443, and 1935 to your PS4’s IP address. **Check firmware** – Make sure all network devices have latest firmware installed. Outdated software can cause NAT problems. **Contact ISP support** – If all else fails, call your Internet provider. They may need to adjust your connection. Following these steps should help identify where the issue lies. Just be sure to restart your PS4 and router after making any changes. ## How to Permanently Improve Your PS4’s NAT Type If basic troubleshooting hasn’t helped, it’s time to take further action. Here are a few methods to permanently improve your NAT type for lag-free gaming: ### Port Forwarding One of the best ways is port forwarding. This means configuring your router to pass traffic from specific ports directly to your PS4’s internal IP address. To enable port forwarding: 1. Log into your router’s management page. The address is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. 2. Navigate to the port forwarding or virtual server section. 3. Add your PS4‘s IP address along with ports 80, 443, and 1935. Some routers have presets for gaming devices too. 4. Save settings and restart your router. ### Enable UPnP UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is an easier option that automatically handles port forwarding. Simply toggle “UPnP enable” in your router’s settings. Just know that UPnP poses some security risks by opening up your network. ### Use a VPN A reliable [VPN] can mask your true IP address and network information. This allows you to bypass restrictive NAT and firewalls. I suggest Cyberghost or ExpressVPN. Connect your PS4 to the VPN network and enjoy an Open NAT experience! ### Put PS4 in DMZ Zone This should only be used as a last resort. Enabling DMZ forwards all traffic to your console. This completely exposes your PS4 to the open internet. In your router settings, look for any “DMZ host” or similar option. Enter your PS4‘s IP address in the field and save. Proceed with extreme caution and disable when not gaming! ## Is It Safe to Have an Open NAT Type? There’s always a security vs. connectivity trade-off when messing with NAT. Strict NAT is most secure, while Open is least. Features like UPnP and DMZ make your network more vulnerable to attacks. Nothing is exposed directly with port forwarding, but opening specific ports does present some risk. My advice – start with the most conservative option that improves your connectivity. For example, forward just the essential gaming ports first. Then incrementally go further down the list. ## PlayStation vs. Xbox NAT Handling Comparison Sony and Microsoft take different approaches to NAT management. The Xbox One allows you to directly select a static NAT type — Strict, Moderate or Open. Whereas PlayStation only displays your current NAT status. You can‘t actively set the type on PS4/PS5 consoles. So why doesn‘t Sony allow NAT type selection? Well, keeping it automatic makes network setup easier for the average user. But this means PS4 gamers have to resort to the workarounds mentioned earlier. ## The Future of NAT and Gaming? How might NAT affect the future of multiplayer gaming? As titles move to cloud streaming services, NAT could become less relevant. With game play happening on remote servers, your home network matters less. We may enter an era of universally open NAT thanks to lightning-fast 5G and global server networks. But for now, NAT remains a reality that can make or break your PS4 online experience. I hope this guide gives you the knowledge to crush NAT issues once and for all! --- Source: [Can NAT Type 2 and 3 Play Together on PS4? A Tech Geek‘s In\-Depth Guide](https://33rdsquare.com/can-nat-type-2-and-3-play-together-ps4/)