If you are searching for how to change NAT type on PC, remember this first: the real task is not randomly changing Windows settings. You need to identify whether the problem is your router, your ISP, or your local firewall. For most PC gamers, the effective fixes fall into five groups: enable UPnP, remove double NAT, avoid CGNAT, configure port forwarding manually, and check local network restrictions.［1］［2］［3］［4］

If voice chat fails, matchmaking is slow, or you cannot join hosted lobbies, start with the section on whether you can actually change it. That will save the most time.

Key Takeaways

NAT is a router mechanism that lets multiple private devices share one public IPv4 address. It is not a single Windows toggle.［1］

If your ISP gateway and your own router are both routing, you may have double NAT, which can break gaming and port forwarding.［2］

If your ISP uses CGNAT, changing settings on your home router may never produce a truly open NAT.［2］［5］

UPnP is convenient but opens ports automatically. Manual port forwarding is more controlled but more work.［3］［4］

DMZ may look effective, but it greatly expands exposure and is not recommended as a long-term setting for regular users.［3］［4］

What Is NAT Type, and Why Does It Affect PC Multiplayer?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation. A home router maps multiple devices on your local network to one public IPv4 address for external communication. RFC 3022 defines this traditional NAT/NAPT model. It saves public addresses and also creates a default layer of inbound isolation.［1］

Many gaming platforms reduce connectivity to labels such as Open, Moderate, and Strict, although names vary. In practice, NAT type describes whether outside devices can reach you, establish peer-to-peer sessions, and let you join hosted rooms reliably. The stricter the NAT, the more likely multiplayer, voice chat, and P2P lobbies will fail.

For more background, read What Is a VPN? A Complete Beginner’s Guide and What Is VPN Port Forwarding? How It Works and Why It Can Be Risky.

First Check Whether You Can Change It at All

This is the most important step. Many guides start with port forwarding, but if your network is double NAT or CGNAT, that work may not change anything.

Check Your Current NAT Type on PC

Before changing router settings, confirm whether you really have strict NAT. Platforms display this differently, but the process is the same: look at the system or game network status, then decide whether router changes are needed.

Common checks include:

If you use Xbox or Microsoft services, check the Xbox networking status in Windows.
If the game has a network diagnostics page, prioritize that result because it matches that game’s own requirements.
If there is no NAT label, judge by symptoms such as failed lobby joins, failed invites, broken voice chat, or repeated P2P host connection failures.

Do not worry if labels are not identical. Open, Moderate, Strict, connection limited, P2P unavailable, and multiplayer errors can all point to the same type of issue.

1. Check for Double NAT

Double NAT often happens when your ISP gateway is routing and you add your own router behind it, or when one router sits behind another. NETGEAR states that double NAT can make online gaming, port forwarding, and device communication more difficult.［2］

Check it this way:

Log in to your router admin page.
Find the WAN IP or Internet IP.
Search the web for “my IP.”
If the two addresses differ and the router shows a private address such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 100.64.x.x, suspect double NAT or CGNAT.

2. Check for ISP CGNAT

CGNAT is carrier-grade NAT. RFC 6888 explains that it lets multiple subscribers share public IPv4 addresses and can introduce communication limits.［5］ The practical result is simple: even if your router is configured correctly, you may not be able to get a true inbound path.

If your WAN IP is in 100.64.0.0/10, or your ISP says you are on a shared public IP, stop spending all your time in Windows settings. Better options are requesting a public IPv4 address, switching the ISP gateway to bridge mode, or using IPv6 or relay-based solutions where supported.

How to Change NAT Type on PC: 5 Fixes That Actually Help

Try these in order from the least disruptive to the most invasive. Do not start with DMZ.

Method 1: Enable UPnP on Your Router

UPnP lets devices ask the router to open required ports automatically. NETGEAR also describes it as a way for applications to configure router ports without manual rules.［3］

It makes sense when:

You mainly play games and do not want to maintain port rules.
You have one main router and no complex home network.
You accept convenience over the smallest possible exposure.

The usual steps are:

Log in to the router admin page.
Find UPnP or advanced NAT settings.
Enable it and save.
Restart the router and PC.
Test the NAT status again in the game or platform.

UPnP is convenient, but it is not risk-free. If you want more control, use manual port forwarding.

Method 2: Turn Double NAT Into Single NAT

If you have two routing layers at home, fix that first. It often helps more than changing the PC.

Two common approaches are:

Put the ISP gateway into bridge mode and let your own router dial or manage the connection.
Keep the ISP gateway as the router and switch the second router to AP or bridge mode.

After that, try UPnP or port forwarding again. Many “strict NAT will not open” cases happen because the port rule was created on the wrong device.

Method 3: Ask Your ISP About a Public IP

If the issue is CGNAT, the boundary is inside your ISP’s network, not your home router.［5］

Ask support:

Can I get a public IPv4 address?
Is bridge mode supported?
Does my plan provide native IPv6?

Not every NAT problem can be fixed by “opening a port.” Confirming whether you have a public inbound path saves a lot of wasted work.

Method 4: Configure Manual Port Forwarding

If you are not behind CGNAT and only have one NAT layer, port forwarding is often the most direct fix. It maps an external port to your PC’s local IP address. The key steps are:

Give your PC a fixed local IP address.
Add the port mapping in your router.
Make sure Windows Firewall is not blocking the game or program.

Different games and platforms require different ports, so do not copy random rules. Look up the official requirements first. Afterward, it may also help to read How to Change DNS Servers on Windows, Mac, and Routers, because some “multiplayer failures” can include DNS problems too.

Method 5: Check Windows Network Type and Firewall Exceptions

Only now focus on the PC itself. Microsoft warns that allowing apps through Windows Firewall increases risk, so only add exceptions for games, launchers, or voice apps you trust. Do not simply turn protection off.［4］

Check:

The game and platform app are allowed through the firewall.
If router ports are open but the app still cannot receive traffic, inspect inbound rules.
Avoid running multiple third-party security tools that may conflict at the network driver level.

If you also see tunnel, DNS, or adapter issues, pair this with VPN Not Connecting? 12 Common Causes and Fixes.

Why I Do Not Recommend Opening DMZ First

Many forum replies say, “Turn on DMZ and your NAT becomes open.” The problem is that DMZ often costs more than it gives.

It can forward a large amount of inbound traffic that your router would normally block directly to your PC. For a regular home PC, that greatly expands exposure. Microsoft’s warning about firewall exceptions applies here too: more exposure means more opportunity for problems.［4］

If your goal is better multiplayer reliability, the order should be:

Fix double NAT first.
Try UPnP.
Use the smallest practical port forwarding rules.
Use DMZ only as a short test and turn it off afterward.

Can a VPN Change NAT Type to Open?

In most cases, no. A normal VPN client cannot directly change your home broadband NAT type to open. NAT is mainly controlled by your router and ISP. A VPN changes your outbound path, encryption, and some routing behavior; it does not create a public inbound path for your home network.

VPNs are better for different problems:

Situation	Can a VPN help?	Notes
ISP CGNAT	Usually not directly	The root cause is the ISP boundary
Unsafe public Wi-Fi	Yes	It encrypts outbound traffic
Poor cross-region routing	Sometimes	Depends on VPN server routing quality
Reducing unnecessary port exposure	Indirectly yes	You do not need to open inbound ports for everything

To check whether your VPN itself is working, read How to Test Whether Your VPN Connection Is Working.

Summary

To change NAT type on PC, first inspect the network topology instead of changing Windows settings blindly.
Double NAT and CGNAT are common causes of wasted troubleshooting.［2］［5］
The best order for regular users is UPnP, remove double NAT, request public IP, manual port forwarding, then local firewall checks.［3］［4］
DMZ is only suitable for short testing, not long-term exposure.［4］

FAQ

What is the fastest way to change NAT type on PC?

If you are not behind double NAT or CGNAT, enabling UPnP on your router and restarting the router and PC is usually the fastest method. It is easier than manual port forwarding.［3］

Why is NAT still strict after port forwarding?

The most common reasons are: you configured the wrong router, your PC does not have a fixed local IP address, or your ISP uses CGNAT and the real public boundary is outside your home.［2］［5］

Does double NAT always affect gaming?

Not every game fails immediately, but double NAT can make lobbies, voice chat, port mapping, and device-to-device communication less reliable. NETGEAR specifically mentions online gaming and port forwarding as affected areas.［2］

Are CGNAT and double NAT the same thing?

No. Double NAT means two layers of translation. CGNAT means the ISP is also doing NAT and multiple subscribers share public IPv4 addresses. In real networks, both can appear together.［2］［5］

Is DMZ better than port forwarding?

It is more aggressive for troubleshooting, but not better. DMZ increases exposure. Regular users should start with narrow port forwarding instead.［4］

Can a VPN directly turn strict NAT into open NAT?

Usually no. A VPN is an encrypted outbound path. It does not automatically give you a public IPv4 address or remove your ISP’s CGNAT.

Disclaimer This article provides general home networking and PC multiplayer troubleshooting guidance. It does not guarantee ISP service behavior, router compatibility, or game connectivity. Before changing bridge mode, public IP settings, or open ports, confirm your device model and broadband plan limits.

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Sources

Sources checked 8 May 2026.

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