What Is NAT Type & How To Change It | T-Mobile Home Internet

What is NAT?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation. But before we dive into what that actually does, let’s back up a bit.

Think about how many devices you have connected to the internet. Now think about the fact that every one of those devices needs a unique identifier called an IP address—kind of like a phone number for your device. It’s no wonder that the number of available IP addresses is running out. To help solve this dilemma, NAT was invented. It allows your router to act as a kind of go-between—instead of each device needing its own public IP address—your router shares one public IP address with all the devices in your home, like TVs, computers, gaming consoles, laptops, smart assistants, smart appliances and beyond. When one of your devices sends data to the internet, the router translates that into its own public IP address, making it look like it’s all coming from one source.

This setup helps conserve IP addresses and ensures that your whole household can get online without a problem. But here's the catch: while NAT keeps things running smoothly for most activities, it can sometimes cause hiccups when you’re trying to do things like play online games, stream, or join a video call with friends or coworkers. To address this, you can change your NAT type, which we’ll cover next.

What are the different NAT types?

Now that you know what NAT is and why it’s important, let’s dive into the different NAT Types and what they mean for your online activities. There are three main Types of NAT, each affecting your internet connection in different ways:

NAT Type 1: Open (Unrestricted)

This is widely considered the best performing NAT Type for online gaming and streaming. When your connection is set to NAT Type 1, your device is directly connected to the internet without any restrictions. This means you can connect to other players with no issues, experience minimal lag, and generally have a smooth and speedy connection. However, most home networks will not have NAT Type 1 by default because it requires bypassing the router’s firewall, which is typically a security risk. It's usually seen on devices that are hardwired directly to the modem, bypassing the router entirely.

NAT Type 2: Moderate (Restricted)

NAT Type 2 is the most common type and is the default for most home networks. With this type, your router will still handle most of the NAT duties, but there are some restrictions on communication. You can still play online games and use services, but you may experience occasional lag or difficulty connecting with certain players, especially in games that require peer-to-peer communication (like many multiplayer games). NAT Type 2 is usually fine for most online activities. However, if you're facing lag or connection issues, it might be worth investigating how to change NAT Type 2 to Type 1, which we’ll cover later.

NAT Type 3: Strict (Highly Restricted)

NAT Type 3 is the most restrictive and can cause a lot of headaches when trying to play games or connect with others. Sure, it’s safer, but with this setting, your router blocks a lot of incoming connections. While you can still browse the web and stream, online multiplayer games will struggle to connect to other players, and you might not be able to host or join certain games or voice calls on multi-functional platforms. It’s the type you want to avoid, especially for gaming or group video calls.

NAT types for gaming, streaming, and communication

Here’s how your NAT Type can impact different activities:

Gaming: If you’re an online gamer, NAT Type 1 or 2 is ideal. Type 3 will likely cause connection issues, especially with peer-to-peer games, voice chat, and multiplayer sessions.
Streaming: For standard streaming services, NAT Type 2 is generally sufficient. You’ll probably be able to stream without interruptions, unlike with NAT Type 3, which could cause buffering or slowdowns.
Video Calls: For voice and video calls on multi-functional platforms and beyond, NAT Type 1 or 2 will provide the best experience. Type 3 could result in dropped calls or issues with joining voice channels.

How to change your NAT type

Changing your NAT Type is a pretty straightforward process, but it involves adjusting settings on your router. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Use UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). Most modern routers support UPnP, which automatically opens the necessary ports for gaming and streaming. This is often the easiest way to improve your NAT Type and reduce connection issues. Just go to your router settings, enable UPnP and restart.
Port Forwarding. If UPnP doesn’t do the trick, you can try port forwarding. It’s a little more technical since it involves manually opening specific ports on your router to allow your device to communicate more freely with the internet. Adding to the fun, the ports you'll need to open depend on your gaming console, the game itself, or application. You can usually find a guide for port forwarding on your router's website, or consult your game’s help page for specific instructions.
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). If you're still struggling with NAT issues after trying UPnP and port forwarding, you can place your device in the DMZ. This essentially places your device outside of your router’s firewall, giving it an "Open" connection. To do this, you’ll go to your router’s settings and enable DMZ. But be warned: bypassing that secure firewall can pose a huge security risk!

Wrapping it up

Understanding and managing your NAT type can play an important role in improving your online experience, whether you're gaming, streaming, or using communication tools. By changing your NAT to Type 1 or Type 2, you’ll be able to eliminate most connection issues and enjoy a smoother, more reliable experience.

If you’re still struggling after following these steps, or you just want a more hassle-free option, it may be time to change internet service providers. T-Mobile Home Internet is America’s fasting growing home internet provider—with no annual contract and no extra equipment fees. There’s even an advanced All-In Internet plan with a Wi-Fi mesh access point included. Find out if it’s available in your area and then try it for 15 days to see if it's a good fit.

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