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[The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) 2. Category:[Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) [Internet HelpCategory](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) # What NAT Type Is & How To Change It Published: March 13, 2025 |6 min read Whether you're trying to boost your online [gaming](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/the-internet-speed-you-need-for-gaming) or streaming experience, or you just need to improve overall communication like voice and video calls-you've figured out that changing something called "NAT type" may hold the key to your success. Pero, ¿qué es exactamente y será la solución mágica que necesitas? Let's dive in and take a look, so you can get back to bigger and better things.  #### Jump to a Section^ 1. [What is NAT?](https://www.t-mobile.com#1) 2. [What are the different NAT types?](https://www.t-mobile.com#2) 3. [NAT types for gaming, streaming, and communication](https://www.t-mobile.com#3) 4. [How to change your NAT type](https://www.t-mobile.com#4) - Share "What NAT Type Is & How To Change It" on X - Share "What NAT Type Is & How To Change It" on Facebook - Share "What NAT Type Is & How To Change It" on LinkedIn ## __What is NAT?__ NAT stands for Network Address Translation. Pero antes de profundizar en lo que realmente hace, retrocedamos un poco. Piensa en cuántos dispositivos tienes conectados a Internet. Now think about the fact that every one of those devices needs a unique identifier called an [IP address](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-my-ip-address-and-how-do-i-change-it)-kind of like a phone number for your device. No es de extrañar que el número de direcciones de IP disponibles se esté agotando. Para ayudar a resolver este dilema, se inventó NAT. It allows your [router](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/difference-between-modem-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. Cuando uno de tus dispositivos envía datos a Internet, el enrutador los traduce a su propia dirección de IP pública, haciendo que parezca que todo procede de una sola fuente. Este sistema ayuda a economizar direcciones de IP y garantiza que toda la familia pueda conectarse sin problemas. Sin embargo, existe un pequeño inconveniente: aunque NAT funciona a la perfección en la mayoría de las actividades, a veces puede causar problemas al intentar jugar en Internet, hacer streaming o participar en una videollamada con amigos o compañeros de trabajo. 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. Cuando tu conexión está configurada en NAT tipo 1, tu dispositivo se conecta directamente a Internet sin ninguna restricción. Esto significa que puedes conectarte a otros jugadores sin problemas, experimentar un retraso mínimo y, en general, tener una conexión fluida y rápida. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las redes domésticas no tendrán NAT Tipo 1 de forma predeterminada porque requiere saltarse el cortafuegos del enrutador, lo que suele ser un riesgo para la seguridad. 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. Con este tipo, tu enrutador seguirá encargándose de la mayor parte de las tareas de NAT, pero hay algunas restricciones en la comunicación. Podrás jugar a videojuegos en línea y utilizar servicios, pero es posible que experimentes retrasos ocasionales o dificultades para conectarte con determinados jugadores, sobre todo en juegos que requieren comunicación entre pares (como muchos juegos multijugador). NAT tipo 2 suele funcionar bien para la mayoría de las actividades en línea. 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. Claro que es más seguro, pero con esta configuración, el enrutador bloquea muchas conexiones entrantes. Aunque podrás seguir navegando por Internet y hacer streaming, los juegos multijugador en línea tendrán problemas para conectarse con otros jugadores, y es posible que no puedas alojar o unirte a determinadas partidas o llamadas de voz en plataformas multifunción. 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: 1. __Use UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)__. La mayoría de los enrutadores modernos admiten UPnP, que abre los puertos necesarios para juegos y streaming de manera automática. Esta suele ser la forma más sencilla de mejorar tu tipo de NAT y reducir los problemas de conexión. Just go to your router settings, enable UPnP and restart. 2. __Port Forwarding__. Si UPnP no funciona, puedes probar con el redireccionamiento de puertos. Es un poco más técnico, ya que implica abrir manualmente puertos específicos en el enrutador para permitir que el dispositivo se comunique más libremente con Internet. Por si fuera poco, los puertos que tendrás que abrir dependerán de tu consola de videojuegos, del propio juego o de la app. You can usually find a guide for port forwarding on your router's website, or consult your game's help page for specific instructions. 3. __DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)__. Si sigues teniendo problemas con NAT después de probar UPnP y el redireccionamiento de puertos, puedes colocar tu dispositivo en la DMZ. Esto básicamente coloca el dispositivo fuera del cortafuegos de tu enrutador lo que da como resultado una conexión "Abierta". 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*](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/wi-fi-security-essential-protections) *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. Al cambiar tu NAT a Tipo 1 o Tipo 2, podrás eliminar la mayoría de los problemas de conexión y tener una experiencia más fluida y estable. 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](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/isp/how-to-get-wi-fi-for-less). [T-Mobile Home Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/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](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/plans/all-in-unlimited-internet-plan) plan with a Wi-Fi mesh access point included. [Find out if it's available in your area](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) and then [try it for 15 days](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/home-internet/15-day-test-drive) to see if it's a good fit. Sources: - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QQhaPncXY4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QQhaPncXY4) - [https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/how-to-change-your-nat-type/](https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/how-to-change-your-nat-type/) - [https://nordvpn.com/blog/how-to-change-nat-type-pc/](https://nordvpn.com/blog/how-to-change-nat-type-pc/) - [https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/connect-network/xbox-one-nat-error](https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/connect-network/xbox-one-nat-error) - [https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/psvita/psn/firewall.html](https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/psvita/psn/firewall.html) - [https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/connect-network/network-ports-used-xbox-live](https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/connect-network/network-ports-used-xbox-live) - [https://portforward.com/discord/](https://portforward.com/discord/) - [https://portforward.com](https://portforward.com) - [https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/12472/~/compatibility-between-nat-types](https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12472/~/compatibility-between-nat-types) - [https://support.cs.inc/s/article/226177168-What-network-ports-are-required-for-streaming-and-device-operation](https://support.cs.inc/s/article/226177168-What-network-ports-are-required-for-streaming-and-device-operation) Tags - [Gaming](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/gaming) - [Streaming](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/streaming) - [Technology](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/technology) ## Related Articles NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/100-mbps-300-mbps-internet-speed) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/100-mbps-300-mbps-internet-speed) [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) ## [100 and 300 Mbps Internet Speed: Everything You Need to Know](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/100-mbps-300-mbps-internet-speed) July 17, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/how-does-the-internet-work) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/how-does-the-internet-work) [Internet Connection](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-connection) ## [How Does the Internet Work? 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