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6 min readOct 31, 2026

Battlefield 6 NAT Type Strict or Moderate? EA’s Ports and How to Get Open NAT

Fix Strict or Moderate NAT and error 1:86001S in Battlefield 6: EA’s official ports for PS5, Xbox and PC, a six-step fix, why port forwarding fails on CGNAT, dorm and hotspot networks, and what to do then.

Quick Answer

Strict or Moderate NAT in Battlefield 6 means your network blocks some connections, which breaks squad chat and can trigger error 1:86001S. Restart the router, use Ethernet, turn on UPnP and fix double NAT. If NAT stays Strict, forward EA’s ports: PS5 TCP 3478–3480 and UDP 3074, 3478–3479; Xbox TCP 3074 and UDP 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500. On CGNAT, dorm or hotspot networks port forwarding cannot work: ask for a public IP, or use a VPN that loosens NAT, which EA does not officially support.

Strict or Moderate NAT in Battlefield 6 means your network is blocking some connections. EA lists the symptoms: squad chat that works only some of the time, disconnects, and error 1:86001S. Most cases are fixed by UPnP or by forwarding EA’s ports for your platform.

Two cases need more than router settings. Behind carrier-grade NAT, common on 4G and 5G, EA says port forwarding won’t work. On dorm, hotel and hotspot networks you cannot change the router at all. Below: EA’s official ports, the six-step fix, and what to do when the router is not the problem.

Check Your NAT Type First

  • PS5: Settings → Network → Connection Status.
  • Xbox: Settings → General → Network settings → Test NAT type.
  • PC: use the NAT type test, then check the router’s WAN IP for CGNAT.
EA’s official list

Battlefield 6 Ports for PS5, Xbox and PC

PlatformTCPUDP
PlayStation 53478–34803074, 3478–3479
Xbox Series X|S307488, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500
PC (EA app or Steam)80, 443, 900053, 9999

EA notes that PC ports can vary between the EA app and Steam, and lists the PC ports as “suggested”. Forward only the ports for your platform, to the device’s reserved IP.

How to Fix Strict NAT in Battlefield 6

  1. Restart the router and device: Unplug the modem and router for 30 seconds, then restart the console or PC.
  2. Go wired and pause VPNs: Use Ethernet, turn off VPNs and proxies, and pause big downloads while testing.
  3. Turn on UPnP: Enable UPnP on the router, save, and reboot the router and device.
  4. Remove double NAT: If you have two routers, put the ISP box in bridge or modem-only mode.
  5. Forward EA’s ports: Reserve the device’s IP, then forward the TCP and UDP ports for your platform to it.
  6. Allow BF6 through the firewall: On PC, allow Battlefield 6, the EA app or Steam and the anti-cheat in Windows Firewall.

Router walkthroughs: how to port forward and UPnP vs port forwarding.

Still Strict?

When Port Forwarding Can’t Fix BF6 NAT

CGNAT (4G/5G, some ISPs)

EA says port forwarding won’t work here. Ask your ISP for a public IPv4. If that is not possible, see the VPN section.

Dorm, hotel, office or hotspot

You need router admin access to forward ports, and EA says it cannot help with port changes on networks you do not manage.

Double NAT

ISP router plus your own router. Put the ISP box in bridge or modem-only mode, or connect the console to one router only.

Wrong device IP

The console got a new local IP, so the port rules point at nothing. Reserve its IP with a DHCP reservation.
CGNAT, dorm or hotspot

Fix BF6 Strict NAT When You Can’t Change the Router

If your ISP will not give you a public IP, or you are on a network you do not manage, a VPN that loosens NAT is the only way to change your NAT type. The VPN server does the NAT instead of the carrier or campus network.

EA’s position: VPNs are not officially supported for Battlefield 6, and EA will not troubleshoot network errors that happen while you use one. Use the VPN only when the router fixes are impossible, pick a nearby server to keep ping low, and test within the refund window.

Strict → Moderate on PC

Proton VPN

Paid plans include Moderate NAT on Windows and in manual WireGuard or OpenVPN setups for a router, which covers a PS5 or Xbox.
  • Windows: Settings → Connection → Advanced settings → NAT type → Moderate
  • Manual WireGuard/OpenVPN for a console router
  • Cannot open EA’s fixed ports for Open NAT
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
−75%
Black Friday

2-year plan

Opens EA’s ports

PureVPN

The port forwarding add-on can open every port, or the exact EA ports for your platform, on the VPN address for Open NAT.
  • Open all ports, or forward 3074 and the rest of EA’s list
  • Works over OpenVPN on a router for PS5 or Xbox
  • 31-day money-back guarantee
−87%
Black Friday

5-year plan·$1.69/mo $12.95/mo

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More on carrier-grade NAT: CGNAT and gaming. Playing on a phone hotspot? See mobile hotspot NAT type.

Related Guides

Sources (checked October 31, 2026):

Battlefield 6 NAT Type FAQ

Restart the router, use Ethernet, turn on UPnP and remove double NAT. If it stays Strict, forward EA’s ports for your platform to the device’s reserved IP. If you are behind CGNAT, ask the ISP for a public IPv4.

EA says it usually points to a router or NAT problem: strict NAT, double NAT or closed ports. The fixes are the same as for Strict NAT: UPnP, bridge mode for double NAT, and EA’s ports.

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