How to Change NAT Type on A PC – A Tutorial Guide

May 7, 2024 By Janne Smith No Comments 8 minutes

Online gaming is all fun until the game starts lagging. And while you’re busy hating your PC or the Internet for it, the NAT type is actually responsible for this. And here’s the best part – you can now change NAT type on a PC. But trust us, this is no head-scratcher, and this article breaks down the entire process into small, comprehensive steps.

According to the Academy of Animated Art, 1.17 billion people play online, and none have the patience to put up with game lags. While learning “how to change NAT type on PC” might sound hot off the press, it’s actually only a cakewalk! Keep reading to learn about different NAT types and how to change them for a better online gaming experience!

Note: Online games can be quite thrilling, but a potential cyber threat can’t be the same. While the black hats always find a way to steal your personal data, using a VPN has to be your iron shield from cyberattacks. We recommend that you use a reliable VPN, like FastestVPN, to play online. Leverage an unlimited bandwidth like never before!

What Is a NAT Type?

Before diving heads-on into learning how to change NAT type on PC, here’s a brief introduction to it. Network Address Translation (NAT) is responsible for assigning the public addresses.

Simply put, a NAT takes your device’s private IP address and translates it into a single public IP address when you go online. This allows the devices to communicate with the servers on the Internet.

Think of it this way: NAT is the exam invigilator that ensures only candidates leave as one from the exam hall. Conclusively, NAT ensures foolproof security for all devices and the careful allotment of IP addresses – considering their limited availability.

While we emphasize changing the NAT types, doing so can be of great help. Generally, it facilitates smoother connections between the players and the servers. Here’s what to expect once you change NAT type on PC:

• Reduced lag
• Faster matches
• Improved gameplay experience

The Different NAT Types

Here’s a list of the 3 main NAT types:

• Type 1 – The Open NAT

Before starting off with the description, this has to be every gamer’s favorite! Changing this NAT type allows quick and unrestricted access to the Internet. It also evades the router or firewall restrictions. This enhanced accessibility facilitates low latency – allowing seamless access of devices with the game servers.

• Type 2 – The Moderate NAT

This is slightly similar to the previous type, but the Moderate NAT follows a few firewall or router restrictions. Meaning, it’ll indicate the device to be accessing from behind a router. Quite a few gaming devices use this NAT type, making it one the commonly used types.

• Type 3 – The Strict NAT

Unlike the first 2 types, the Strict one is quite limited and abides by the restrictions placed. It strictly follows the router restrictions and ensures that the device always sticks to them. Meaning, your device can’t access any of the restricted gaming servers. Also, this type commonly leads to various gaming issues, making it the most unfavorable type.

How Do I Check My NAT Type on My PC?

Tired of putting up with game lags and a slow performance, this has to be your sign to change NAT type, but before that, it’s best to check it on your PC. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to check the NAT type your PC:

• Press the Windows + R.
• Type “cod” and press Enter. Write “ipconfig/all” and pres Enter again.
• This will display all your local network details, including your IP addres, gateway address and the NAT type.

Why Should I Change the NAT Type?

Changing the NAT brings various benefits, and most of them incline towards enhancement of the overall gaming experience. Following that, you can always leverage a seamless gaming experience, i.e. zero lags!

However, changing the NAT type isn’t limited to a better gaming experience – but an overall more uninterrupted internet experience. From shopping from your favorite eCommerce sites to taking online meetings, it gives a maximal digital experience. While changing the NAT type seems to be the ultimate solution, the next section explains how to do so.

How to Change NAT Type on PC?

There are 5 methods to change NAT type. And this section is all about that. Here are brief tutorials on how to change NAT type:

1. Enabling DMZ mode

Enabling the DMZ mode completely removes the firewall and enables a direct Internet connection. Here’s how to enable it on your PC:

• Ensure your PC is connected to the WiFi.
• Head to the browser and type in your router’s IP address.
• Access the router’s management site and log in.
• Find Gateway>Advanced>DMZ.
• Choose Enable.
• Click on Save.

2. Windows Network Discovery

This method is preferable for Windows. Here’s a short tutorial for this method:

• Access the Start menu and open Settings.
• Look for “Network and Internet” on the side menu and click it.
• Under “Network and Internet,” click “Advanced network settings.“
• You’ll see “Advanced sharing settings” – click on that as well.
• Find the section labeled “Network discovery” and enable it.

3. Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is the easiest method to change the NAT type on PC. Here’s how you can do so:

• Go to the router’s control panel, find “Port Forwarding,” and enable it.
• Find the specific port numbers that your games require.
• Enter those port numbers and the IP address in the router settings.
• Choose the device you want to receive the forwarded traffic.
• Make sure both TCP and UDP options are selected.
• Save the changes and restart your router.

4. Enable UPnP

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) are different protocols that enable the network devices to find each other. Before enabling the UPnP, you must have a static IP. Once you’ve got that, here’s a short tutorial for enabling it:

• Find your IP address. You can either use our “What is my IP” tool or find it online by typing “What is my IP.”
• Go to your router’s management page and enter the IP address.
• Head to Router’s Advanced Settings.
• Find and click on “Enable UPnP”.

5. Configure the Files

Here’s how to change NAT type via this method:

• Head to the router’s configuration panel.
• Find and select Save/Restore configuration to backup router settings.
• You should see a pop-up; save the file via that.
• Create a backup file copy and open it.
• Find “Last Bind.”
• Under “last bind,” enter:
• bind application=CONE(UDP) port= (your_game_port_number)-(your_game_port_number)
• For multiple ports, add new lines below with different port ranges.
• After editing the file, save it.
• Then, on your router, find the option to load configurations (often named “Import” or “Restore“). Use this option to upload the modified file you just saved.
• Once done, click on Restore Configuration.
• After the restoration loads, restart the router.

What Are the Benefits of Changing the NAT Type?

Changed the NAT type? Here are the top 5 benefits that await:

1. Enhanced Network Control

• By changing the NAT type, you’ll notice high-speed internet.
• It enhances your device’s network connectivity.

2. Seamless Online Gaming

• Reduces game lags and improves Internet stability.
• Unlocks certain game features.

3. Uninterrupted Online Meetings

• Smoother online calls on different apps.
• Reduced connection disruptions.

4. Smoother eCommerce Experience

• Specific marketplaces require an Open NAT.
• Enables access to all eCommerce stores.

5. Better Digital Security

• Improves online security and evades cyber threats.
• Restricts connections from outside sources.
• Makes unauthorized access more difficult.

What Are the Common Issues With NAT?

While most users change the NAT type for a better gaming experience, here’s a list of issues that you can face by changing the NAT:

1. Matches Load Slower

In most cases, changing the NAT on a PC leads to slower match loads. And, if you’re using the strict NAT type, you can’t join matches hosted via an Open NAT. Meanwhile, a few other matches might take longer with type 3.

2. Unstable Internet Speed

While this won’t be much noticeable for general Internet users, the gamers definitely will. Since NAT translates all packages before they’re forwarded to the destination, this usually leads to slower Internet speed, but this also depends on the type you’ve chosen.

3. Internet Connectivity Issues

An incorrect NAT configuration often leads to the packages not being delivered right. This follows Internet connectivity issues. The same issue can persist if your device doesn’t support end-to-end connections.

Final Note

Hating the game lags? It’s probably your current NAT type responsible for this, and to experience an unintrerrupted streaming experience, switch to the Open NAT or even the Moderate one. While the first stands as every gamer’s favorite – its primarily due to it evading all firewalls and annoying online restrictions.

The Open NAT type is also considered to be unsafe since it opens up the device-network connection, meaning anyone can make their way in. To raise the security bars here, you must use FastestVPN for a secure network connection. Meanwhile, the VPN’s unlimited bandwidth makes online gaming a bliss!

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