If you play online games, you’ve probably seen this before.
You try to join a match.
It takes forever.
Voice chat doesn’t work.
Or the game just says “failed to connect”.
Everything looks fine:
- internet is connected
- download speed is good
- other websites work
Then someone in your squad asks:
“What’s your NAT type?”
And that’s where things get confusing.
What Is NAT Type (And Why Gamers Should Care)?
NAT (Network Address Translation) is how your router connects your device to the internet.
For gaming, NAT type usually falls into three categories:
Open (Type 1 / Type A)
Best case. Easy matchmaking, stable voice chat.Moderate (Type 2 / Type B)
Usually fine, but may struggle with some players.-
Strict (Type 3 / Type C)
Common source of problems:- can’t join certain games
- voice chat issues
- long matchmaking times
- frequent disconnects
If your NAT is Strict, your console or PC has trouble accepting incoming connections from other players.
The Problem: Most Gamers Don’t Know Their Real NAT Type
Yes, consoles show a NAT type in settings.
But that doesn’t always tell the full story.
Real-world issues:
- console tests are slow
- PC games often don’t show NAT clearly
- router pages are complicated
- ISP restrictions aren’t obvious
Many players end up changing random router settings without knowing what’s actually wrong.
A Simple Way to Check Your NAT Type
Before touching port forwarding or router configs, you should first answer two questions:
- What is my current NAT type?
- What public IP is my network using?
That’s where a simple online NAT test helps.
I use this tool:
How it works:
- open the page
- click once
-
instantly see:
- your NAT type
- your public IP
- basic network info
No login.
No downloads.
Works on PC, console browsers, and mobile.
How This Helps You Fix Problems Faster
Knowing your NAT type helps you:
- confirm if NAT is actually the problem
- decide whether UPnP or port forwarding is needed
- tell if your ISP is using CGNAT
- avoid wasting time on random fixes
Example:
- If NAT is Open, your issue is likely elsewhere
- If NAT is Strict, router or ISP settings are the real cause
That alone can save a lot of trial and error.
Who Should Check Their NAT Type?
This is especially useful if you:
- play multiplayer games on PS5, Xbox, Switch, or PC
- have voice chat problems
- can’t join friends’ lobbies
- use P2P-based games or services
- changed routers or ISPs recently
Final Thoughts
NAT issues are one of those things that:
- break online gaming
- confuse most players
- aren’t explained clearly in games
You don’t need to be a networking expert.
But knowing your NAT type gives you control.
If your online games feel “randomly broken”,
checking your NAT is a good first step.
And it takes less than a minute.
😄
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