Are you experiencing matchmaking errors, voice chat blockages, or a restrictive 'NAT Type 3' status on your PlayStation 5? Read our comprehensive tutorial to open your network.
For the best gaming performance on PS5, combine your NAT configurations with these high-speed public DNS settings in the console advanced menu:
1.1.1.1
8.8.8.8
Go to your PS5 home screen, navigate to Settings -> Network -> Connection Status -> Test Internet Connection. Wait for the diagnostics to complete and write down your NAT Type (Type 1 is Open, Type 2 is Moderate, and Type 3 is Strict) and any error prompts such as 'NAT Type Failed'.
To prevent your PS5's local IP address from changing, go to Settings -> Network -> Settings -> Set Up Internet Connection. Hover over your network, press the Options button on your controller, select 'Advanced Settings', change IP Address Settings to 'Manual', and assign a designated IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.150). Fill in your subnet mask (255.255.255.0) and default gateway (192.168.1.1).
Log into your router admin panel using your phone or PC. Locate the Advanced Network or NAT settings page, find the UPnP setting, and toggle it to 'Enabled'. Save changes and restart the router. For many gamers, this is the only step required to transition the PS5 to NAT Type 2.
If UPnP fails or remains Moderate, you must configure static port redirection. In your router's port forwarding section, add rules targeting your PS5's static IP: TCP Ports: 3478, 3479, 3480; UDP Ports: 3074, 3478, 3479. Apply and save the changes.
If port forwarding seems too complex, you can temporarily assign your PS5 IP to the router's DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) settings. DMZ routes all incoming traffic straight to the PS5, bypassing the firewall completely. While unsafe for PCs, the PS5's closed sandbox architecture makes it safe to place in the DMZ.
This error occurs when the console can communicate with the internet but cannot determine how the router handles translation. It's almost always caused by a Double NAT (two routers running simultaneously), strict firewall blockages from your ISP, or a blocked SIP ALG setting in your router.
NAT Type 1 is only possible if your PS5 is connected directly to your fiber/broadband modem without any router in between. Since a router is essential for home firewall security and connecting other devices, NAT Type 2 is the ideal target. NAT Type 2 gives you the same open, unrestricted multiplayer access as Type 1.
PlayStation Party Chat runs over a P2P protocol. If you or someone in your lobby has NAT Type 3 (Strict), your systems cannot establish a direct audio handshake. Switching to NAT Type 2 resolves voice chat dropouts permanently.