Using a VPN has a lot of great uses besides improving your privacy and securing your connection. You can use it to circumvent geoblocking, reduce packet loss, and even improve your in-game ping.
But the way a VPN works is still a mystery to many. For a VPN to work, it needs to make some serious changes to your default connection so that it can add those extra layers of security.
Although a VPN is generally used to unblock restricted content, there are some cases when the opposite applies.
5 BEST VPNS WE RECOMMENDThis issue occurs on a variety of systems, with some users encountering the NAT type problem on their PS4 systems. This can of course causes a large amount of frustration, especially for users who are professional gamers or even those who are excited about trying out a long-awaited game.
Another situation that is common in this regard is the double NAT issue, which stops users from using two routers in their homes, causing network instability.
For instance, if your VPN lacks certain features (such as split tunneling), you won’t be able to access resources on your local network. Similarly, you should be aware that VPNs also affect your NAT. But let’s start with the beginning.
What is NAT and its types?
NAT, which is short for Network Address Translation, is a method of mapping several local private addresses to a public one. Imagine there are multiple PCs in your home, and you want them to share the same IP address.
If your router is NAT-enabled, it can handle that without breaking a sweat. Given that not too long ago IPv4 addresses started running scarce, it’s a great way of conserving IPs by making multiple machines share each one of them.
Currently, there are three types of NAT:
- A Type | Type 1 | Open NAT – the most non-restrictive type that allows every incoming request from the Internet (it’s basically no NAT)
- B Type | Type 2 | Moderate NAT – most incoming requests from the Internet are not allowed but can be changed with UPnP or port forwarding
- C | Type 3 | Strict NAT – doesn’t allow any incoming requests to pass
Now, if your device is connected straight to the Internet, you’ll have a Type A NAT. That’s not exactly ideal since it’s the least secure version that lets all incoming requests pass.
However, Type A NAT is great for gaming, for instance. If you have to host a server, your friends will have no trouble connecting to it without additional assistance on your side such as forwarding ports or messing with your router.
Type B is the most common NAT version. It can usually be noticed if your device is connected to the Internet through a router or modem.
Type C is the most secure, but also the least convenient if you’re an online gaming enthusiast.
What happens if your NAT type is strict?
In case your NAT type is strict, then the connecting device, no matter if it’s a PC, Xbox, mobile phone, or PS4, will not be able to communicate effectively with the router or routers, thus causing system instability, games closing, and even browsing sessions being cut short.
When it comes to gaming specifically, using a NAT strict type will stop you from being able to host any multiplayer lobbies, get into contact with your fellow players, or even have video conferences.
As you can imagine, this can be extremely infuriating for some people, especially if they are in this field professionally.
Is changing NAT type-safe?
Yes, changing your NAT type is safe, and will only affect your system’s capability to connect to other players in lobbies.
As systems have the capability to use 3 types of NATs, compatibility between them is also an important element to consider:
➡ Open NAT – can play with all NAT type
➡ Moderate NAT – can only play with Moderate or Open
➡ Strict NAT – can only play with Open
That being said, using the Open NAT is the best bet that you will be able to access any lobby and host servers that will allow any other NAT type to connect without issues.
Can VPN change your NAT type?
Yes, using a VPN will bypass NAT, so it will most likely change your default NAT type. If you already have a Type B NAT, using a VPN won’t change a thing, as it will still be a moderate NAT after you establish a secure connection.
However, it can make a huge difference if your NAT type is strict and need a bit more freedom. Many games don’t work well with Type C NAT, so you’ll probably notice the improvement right away.
On the downside, if your device is connected to the Internet directly, using a VPN will apply some restrictions on your Open NAT type. What a VPN does is add a router of sorts between you and the Internet.
Therefore, you should find out what NAT type you have and decide what type you need before using a VPN.
Note that there’s no way to switch to Open NAT type through your VPN. The only way you can do that is by switching your VPN off (if you have Open NAT, to begin with).
It’s also worth mentioning that if your ISP restricts VPN traffic, using a VPN to change NAT type won’t work.
How can I easily fix a strict NAT type?
1. Use a reliable VPN
Private Internet Access is an excellent choice for a VPN. It’s brought to you by Kape Technologies and has 24/7 customer support.
PIA can help you change your NAT type to moderate (Type B | 2) without additional steps. You just select the server you want to connect to and let it do all the work for you.
The same principles apply to other VPN software that has this capability, including ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN.
Other options that allow the automatic change of NAT type are NordVPN and Meraki VPN, but we consider our suggestion offers the best all-around features, increased security, and fast browsing speeds.
As in the case of PIA, the software options mentioned above also perform the same task by installing the software and activating the VPN.
Private Internet Access
Fix your system’s NAT type with ease and rapidity by using this powerful VPN service today.2. Use port-forwarding on your router
➡ Identify your system’s IP address
ipconfig/all
➡ Modify the router settings
3. Use Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
4. Use the Network Discovery feature
5. Upload a text file to your router’s configuration
Can I change NAT types with other well-known VPNs?
1. ProtonVPN
Unfortunately, the default NAT type for any connection through ProtonVPN will have a Strict NAT (Type D) configuration.
As you can see from the screenshot taken from the official Twitter account of ProtonVPN, and after researching if the situation has changed since then, the conclusion remains the same: ProtonVPN will not change your NAT type to Open or Moderate.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN also allows you to use an Open or Moderate NAT Type connection to be able to host and join games online at will.
You can follow these steps to set it up accordingly:
As you can see, there are a few steps that need to be covered before being able to use ExpressVPN with a Moderate NAT Type connection.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN does allow the usage of an Open or Moderate NAT Type, and in order to do so successfully, you will need to follow the steps described in the methods above to enable this NAT Type on your router’s settings page.
After successfully completing the steps mentioned above, simply run NordVPN, and connect to a server of your choosing.
4. Meraki VPN
It is worth noting that only two types of authentication mechanisms are supported with Meraki VPN.
- User authentication: Active Directory (AD), RADIUS, or Meraki-hosted authentication
- Machine authentication: Preshared keys (eg. shared secret)
If using the Meraki-host authentication option, the VPN account is the user email address entered in the software’s dashboard.
➡ Add a VPN connection
- VPN provider: Set to Windows (built-in)
- Connection name: This can be anything you want to name this connection, for example, “Work VPN”
- Server name or address: Enter the hostname (e.g. .com) or the active WAN IP (e.g. XXX.XXX.XXX). Hostname is encouraged instead of active WAN IP because it is more reliable in cases of WAN failover; admin can find them in the dashboard under Security appliance > Monitor > Appliance status
- VPN type: Select L2TP/IPsec with preshared key
- User name and Password: optional
➡ Set up Windows
How to change NAT type on a mobile hotspot?
Even though changing the NAT type on a mobile hotspot works the same as in the steps presented above, there are a few elements that can make a big difference, and we will be covering them in this part.
The methods presented above will ensure that you will be able to change the NAT type, while the following elements will ensure that the connection is optimal:
➡ Select the best mobile carrier
As we all know, not all mobile carriers offer the same service quality, and this element is heavily influenced by both your location and the effectiveness of the service itself.
Before going for a mobile carrier, make sure to research the company online and find information about signal quality coverage for the area that you live in.
Some companies will allow you to get a full signal in one area, while in others you will maybe get only half of the signal strength, even though the same package is paid for.
Choosing the right mobile carrier will save you a lot of hassle in the future, while also preventing you from experiencing issues with your connection at the present time.
➡ Ensure the appropriate router for your device is used
Another important element when setting up your mobile hotspot is the quality of signal which can be produced by the respective router, and its compatibility with the device that you use predominantly.
Users have reported that sometimes, even though the signal coverage of the router is very good, the lack of compatibility with their mobile phone is causing interruptions in the connections, and even disconnecting entirely at random times.
Beyond that, you also need to consider the capability of the router itself, coverage area, signal strength, and even its location in your home.
➡ Choose the 5Ghz option
Because routers and modems can operate on two main frequencies, choosing the right one for your needs and device is very important.
Enabling the 5GHz connection will of course be faster than the 2.4 GHz one as long as your device is capable of this feature.
The 5Ghz bandwidth, besides being more capable of transferring data at greater speeds, is also less congested than in the case of the alternative.
➡ Opt for the best plan
A thoughtful decision when it comes to choosing the right plan for your needs is another aspect that will have a tremendous impact on both the quality of your connection and its stability, no matter what device you use it on.
Make sure to study the local market in depth before choosing a plan that sounds good, as signing a contract with a company will most likely be a lengthy one.
That being said, you will need to ensure that the plan you choose is affordable enough for your financial situation, while also considering the connection and data transfer speeds it offers.
Using a VPN can help bypass strict NAT
All things considered, if your strict NAT gets in your way of having fun, a VPN can certainly help. VPNs such as PIA bypass NAT, so you’ll enjoy a bit more freedom behind a moderate/Type B NAT instead.
However, note that using a VPN will almost always switch to Type B NAT, regardless of your default type.
So, if you’re not comfortable switching from Open to Moderate, a VPN might not exactly be what you’re looking for.
Feel free to share your experience with us by using the comment section found below this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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