Can VPN Change NAT Type? Here's What You Need To Know

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.

That’s why sometimes VPNs don’t work properly when you first configure them. This issue occurs on a variety of systems, with some users encountering the NAT-type problem on their PS4 systems.

This can of course can cause 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. Does VPN change NAT type? What are the best VPN services to use for NAT types?

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 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.

How can I easily fix a strict NAT type?

1. Use an Open NAT-type VPN

Private Internet Access is an excellent choice that 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.

1. Download Private Internet Access.
2. Install it on your computer.
3. Launch it by clicking the respective icon.
4. Log into your PIA account.
5. Connect to a server by clicking the big power button (location not important).
6. Enjoy less restrictive NAT on your device.

The same principles apply to other VPN software that has this capability, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

As in the case of PIA, the software options mentioned above also perform the same task by installing the software and activating the VPN.

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2. Use port-forwarding on your router

➡ Identify your system’s IP address

1. Press the Search button in your taskbar and write command.
2. Choose Run as administrator for the Command Prompt option.
3. Type the following command and run it by pressing Enter: ipconfig/all
4. Note the device IP in a text document or on a piece of paper.

➡ Modify the router settings

1. Log into your router settings page in a web browser.
2. Find the Port forwarding (or Port mapping) and open it.
3. Identify the port on which you want to activate NAT.
4. Input the correct ports and IP address noted from before.
5. Reset your PC and router to save the changes made.

3. Use Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

1. Type the IP address you’ve noted at the previous step into your browser.
2. Log into your router’s settings page with the network credentials (if not changed, the username will be Admin).
3. Navigate to the UPnP settings menu (usually found under Settings, Advanced Setttings, or Settings).
4. Enable the UpnP option by toggling it on.
5. Reset the router and device to apply the settings.

4. Use the Network Discovery feature

1. Click on the Search button from the taskbar.
2. Search for sharing, and choose the Manage advanced sharing settings option.
3. Tick the box next to the Turn on network discovery option.
4. Activate the Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices box.
5. Click Save changes.

5. Upload a text file to your router’s configuration

1. Navigate to your router’s setup page by using a browser.
2. Find either an option called Save Configuration, or Restore Configuration (exact names will vary depending on the router).
3. Back up the current configuration and save the file when a window appears.
4. Create an extra copy of the configuration file downloaded to have it as backup.
5. Open the download file.
6. Find the ”last bind” entry inside the file.
7. Under the above-mentioned entry, type in “bind application=CONE(UDP) port=5555-5555” (replacing the port number with the ones used by your game).
8. Save the file, and upload it to your router’s settings page by finding the respective option.
9. Click the Restore configuration option or similar name (exact name will vary depending on the router).
10. Restart the router to apply the new configuration.

Can I change NAT types with other well-known VPNs?

1. ExpressVPN

With ExpressVPN NAT type can be changed as you can use it for an Open or Moderate NAT Type connection. It will allow you to join and host games online at will.

You can follow these steps to set it up accordingly:

1. Download ExpressVPN on your PC.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Press the Win + X key combination, and choose Settings.
4. Click on Network & Internet, and choose Mobile Hotspot.
5. Enable the Mobile Hotspot option and choose to share your internet connection from Wi-Fi.
6. Click on Network & Internet again, and choose Advanced network settings.
7. Find your VPN service in the list, right-click it, and choose Settings.
8. Click on the Sharing tab, and choose the Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection option.
9. Select the Home networking connection drop-down, and choose the hotspot created before.
10. Run ExpressVPN on your PC and choose a server location.
11. Using your gaming device, connect to the hotspot to have a Moderate NAT Type connection.

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.

2. 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.

Then, after successfully completing the steps mentioned above, simply run NordVPN, and connect to a server of your choosing.

3. 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.

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

1. Click the Search button on the taskbar.
2. Type VPN, and choose the VPN Settings option.
3. Click the Add VPN button.
4. In the pop-up that appears use the following information, and press Save.

• 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

1. Click the Search button and type network connections.
2. Choose View network connections.
3. Right-click the VPN connection you created previously, and choose Properties.
4. In the Security tab, under Data encryption choose Require encryption (disconnect if sever declines).
5. Tick the Allow these protocols option.
6. Only check the Unencrypted password (PAP) option, and deselect any others.
7. Click the Advanced settings button.
8. Choose the Use preshared key for authentication option, and type in the key created by the admin, and click OK.
9. Inside the Nework connections window, right-click the VPN connection and choose Connect/Disconnect.

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.

On the other hand, 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.

How to change the 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.

How to change NAT type with VPN

First and foremost you’ll have to install a VPN on your device. After that, depending on your VPN’s features, you may need to adjust some settings to make sure the connection works.

While some VPNs allow you to change NAT types without additional steps, most of them require you to touch up on your network and network sharing settings.

However, keep in mind that not all VPNs allow you to use the same NAT type and the process is slightly different depending on the VPN service.

In conclusion, 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 the NAT type won’t work. Follow the step-by-step instructions above to get error-free results.

Feel free to share your experience with us by using the comment section found below this guide.

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