How to check firewall settings for minecraft ps4

BY ANNA MIDDLETON

Anna Middleton

PUBLISHED 3 YEARS AGO

If you’re experiencing unusual lag and disconnections while playing PS4 online with your friends, the problem may not be with your internet provider, especially if your other internet activities seem unaffected.

Instead, this is usually a problem with a NAT type that’s wrongly set. Since a NAT type is a security measure, it can sometimes become overprotective of your network and dismiss all connections coming from the outside.

This article will explain what a NAT type is, how it affects your PS4 connection, and how to change it using your router.

What Is a NAT Type?

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a method where a network device (firewall mostly) sets a public IP address for all the devices on the same network. A NAT type reduces the number of IP addresses in one private network.

One of the main advantages of the NAT type is its ability to hide your private IP address, thus keeping your network secure. This is convenient for the connections that are made internally, such as browsing the internet, checking your inbox, or joining a game. Since the connection was initiated from inside the network, the data will flow in and out of your network seamlessly.

However, this is not the case when the connections are initiated externally. The router sometimes isn’t able to recognize which internal IP address the connection is intended for. The external connections include joining multiplayer game lobbies, in-game group chats, and other multiplayer activities.

Types of NAT

There are three different types of NAT that you can set for your network.

1. Type 1 – Open: An open NAT type will give you the best gaming experience, but it will totally open up your connection. This defeats the sole purpose of NAT, which aims to close it and make it secure. So, if you want to make your connection vulnerable in exchange for smooth online gaming, you should choose this type.
2. Type 2 – Moderate: This is the perfect balance between security and connectivity for your PS4. The device will remain behind the router and will be able to receive external connections. You can connect to all online games and download stuff online without worrying about your security.
3. Type 3 – Strict: If you’re experiencing issues with your PS4 online gaming, your NAT type is probably set to 3. This means that the console is behind a router and a firewall and no network ports are arriving. You can connect to other games and players, but no one can connect to you. For example, you’ll never be able to host an online game with a NAT type 3.

How to Check NAT Type on PS4

Checking your NAT type is a straightforward process. You’ll have to turn on your PS4, and follow these steps.

1. Open the ‘Settings’ menu.
2. Select ‘Network.’
3. Go to ‘View Connection Status.’
4. Wait for the checkup to finish and locate the NAT type at the very bottom of the screen.
5. Write down your IP Address somewhere, as well as your Default Gateway. You’ll need them if you want to change the NAT type.
   
   

Changing NAT Type

You won’t be able to change the NAT type directly on your PS4. The only way to modify it is via your router’s options. Since these options may vary from router to router, you’ll need to know your router type and prepare a manual (or find one on the internet) before proceeding.

1. Open your browser on the PC.
2. Type the ‘Default Gateway’ address that you’ve written down in the previous section.
3. Press Enter to open your router menu.
4. Enter your credentials so you can access the settings.
5. Find the ‘UPnP’ option in the settings and enable it. This means ‘Universal Plug and Play’ and allows different devices on similar networks to recognize each other.

After this, there are two methods of changing your NAT Type – either you’ll put your device in the DMZ (demilitarized zone), or you’ll open up forwarding ports.

Method 1: Putting the PS4 to DMZ

DMZ is a network that sits on the edge between secure (your home network) and insecure (the rest of the internet). This means that your device will be able to receive connections from the outside, but will remain prone to intruders and data theft.

Follow these steps to put the console in the DMZ:

1. Locate the DMZ settings in your router menu.
2. Enable DMZ and input the IP address of the PS4 (you’ve previously written it down).
3. Save the new modifications.
4. Open ‘Settings’ on your PS4 and see if your NAT type is different.

Method 2: Forwarding the Ports

Forwarding ports is a safer method, but it doesn’t work all the time. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Find the forwarding ports menu in your router settings. The name depends on your router type, but it’s usually either ‘Virtual Servers,’ ‘Port Forwarding,’ or something similar.
2. Insert custom forwarding ports.
3. These are the numbers and types (either TCP or UDP) that you’ll need to add: 80 (TCP), 443 (TCP), 3478 (TCP and UDP), 3479 (TCP and UDP), and 3480 (TCP). You should assign a name and IP address (the same you’ve written down) to each individual port.
4. Confirm the changes.
5. Check the NAT Type on your PS4.

After making these changes, your NAT type will usually switch to Type 2 regardless of the method. To switch to the completely open type, you’ll need to remove the router or bridge it so only your PS4 can communicate with the network. This is not recommended.

No More Lag

If you have successfully changed the NAT type, you should see the improvements in your online gaming immediately. This is because the external data can seamlessly flow into your private connection without any disturbance or lag.

The best part is that the NAT Type 2 will still keep your network secure while you’re playing games or browsing online. Still, you should always scan your internet connection for unwanted data or security deficiencies.

How do you keep your network secure? Would you take additional security measures if you switch to NAT Type 1 or 2? Share your opinions in the comments below.

What is Network Address Translation (NAT)?

Computers and servers communicate with each other using IP addresses. There are 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses in total, and this number is not going to change until IPv6 is fully deployed. While 4.3 billion seems like a lot, with the growing number of internet users, it’s not enough.

Network Address Translation (NAT) guarantees that users don’t find themselves in a situation where there are no IP addresses available. It allows a router to act as an intermediary between the internet and your private network. You can have one public IP address to communicate with the internet and multiple private IP addresses assigned for different devices on your network. This way, one IP address can cover the entire network.

NAT converts public IP addresses into private, and private into public. However, if we want data to reach the right recipient, in computer networking we use ports. Each port corresponds to a different application. When data packets arrive to your device, your operating system discovers a port number and thus knows the final destination. It doesn’t mean that you have to assign ports for every application all the time, as the UPnP protocol can do that automatically.

There are three NAT types designed for gaming consoles: open (Type 1), moderate (Type 2), and strict (Type 3).

NAT Type 1 (Open)

With NAT Type 1, your PS4 is directly connected to the internet (no NAT is configured on your router). However, your connection might be insecure, as there is no firewall to protect it. This type is known for low gaming latency. You can also chat with other people and host multiple PS4 games, but any hacker could get into your local area network without much effort. If you play a lot of PUBG Lite, Fortnite or Overwatch, having a lower latency is paramount for keeping on top of your performance.

While NAT Type 1 gives you the most flexibility, the drawbacks shouldn’t be ignored, as you can end up having your whole network infected.

NAT Type 2 (Moderate)

NAT Type 2 is the most commonly used type in PS4. It works by connecting your PS4 to the internet through a router. Type 2 can forward packets and use predefined ports, making it a more secure option than Type 1.

Your gaming console will be able to support multiplayer games and chats, but you probably won’t be able to act as a host in games. Anyhow, it’s a good option for those looking for a positive gaming experience combined with enhanced security. If you’re looking to play Minecraft safely and peacefully, this is the port you will probably be using most.

NAT Type 3 (Strict)

As the name suggests, with a strict NAT type, you will have limited connectivity with other players. You will be able to play multiplayer games and chat only with users who have Type 1. NAT Type 3 enables additional firewall settings, providing the most secure connection. However, you won’t be able to enjoy gaming as much as the people with Types 1 or 2. Your connectivity will be poor, and you can even be kicked from game lobbies.

NAT Type 3 also means that your PlayStation works behind a router and doesn’t have network ports forwarded to it.

How to port forward PS4

The steps you need to take to enable port forwarding on your PS4 might slightly vary depending on the brand of your router. However, the basic principle is the same.

Let’s start with your PS4:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Network > View Connection Status.
3. Note your IP and MAC addresses of your PS4. You will need them later.

Now you can open ports on your router for PS4:

1. Log in to your router. Here's a tutorial on how to find your router's IP address.
2. Manually assign a static IP address to your router using the data you have noted from your PS4.
3. Find port forwarding rules.
4. Add rules for TCP 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480 and UDP 3478, 3479.
5. Reboot your router for changes to take place.

Does port forwarding work with a VPN?

While technically a VPN could be combined with port forwarding, NordVPN doesn’t support this. We care about our users and don’t encourage them to browse online with open ports. The security risks are too high, and we don’t want you to end up with malware.

However, if you’re playing games online on your PC or smartphone, having NordVPN enabled significantly enhances your security.