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    12 min readJun 11, 2026

    Nintendo Switch NAT Type Guide: Type A, B, C, D, and F

    Understand Nintendo Switch NAT Type A/B/C/D/F, check whether Type B is good enough, and fix Type D or Type F with safer router and upstream checks.

    Nintendo Switch uses NAT Type A, B, C, D, and F instead of Open, Moderate, and Strict. Type B is often acceptable; Type D or Type F usually needs troubleshooting. This guide explains what the letters mean, how to check your result, and how to improve it without jumping straight to risky router settings.

    Understanding Nintendo Switch NAT Types

    Nintendo Switch uses NAT types labeled A, B, C, D, and F. Type A is the most open and provides the best connectivity, while Type F indicates connection failures.

    NAT TypeDescriptionConnection Quality
    Type A
    		Best connectivity, can connect with all playersExcellent
    Type B
    		Good connectivity, works with most playersGood
    Type C
    		Moderate connectivity, may have issues with some playersModerate
    Type D
    		Limited connectivity, can only connect with Type A playersPoor
    Type F
    		Connection test failed, cannot connect onlineFailed

    Is Switch NAT Type B Good Enough?

    Do not chase Type A blindly. The real question is whether matchmaking, joining friends, voice chat, and peer sessions work reliably.

    Type B is usually fine

    Type B is common behind a home router and normally works for Nintendo Switch Online. You may not need to change anything.

    Type D is the main warning

    Type D often struggles with peer-to-peer sessions. Check Wi-Fi quality, UPnP, router mappings, Double NAT, and CGNAT.

    Type F means the test failed

    Type F can come from blocked networks, captive portals, VPNs, hotspot restrictions, or an upstream NAT path that cannot accept inbound traffic.

    Step 1: Get Required Network Information

    Before starting, you need to get three key network parameters: IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway.

    1. 1On a Windows PC, click the search bar at the bottom left and type "cmd" to open Command Prompt.
    2. 2Type ipconfig/all and press Enter.
    3. 3In the displayed list, find and note down the values for "IPv4 Address", "Subnet Mask", and "Default Gateway".

    Step 2: Set Static IP Address on Nintendo Switch

    Now configure a static IP on your Switch to ensure consistent port forwarding.

    1. 1Go to System Settings on Nintendo Switch.
    2. 2Select Internet, then click Internet Settings.
    3. 3Select your current Wi-Fi network and click Change Settings.
    4. 4Find IP Address Settings and change it from Automatic to Manual.
    5. 5Click IP Address and enter the IP you got from your PC. To avoid IP conflicts, add 30 to the last three digits (e.g., if your IP is 192.168.2.10, enter 192.168.2.40).
    6. 6Enter the Subnet Mask and Default Gateway you noted earlier, then click Save.

    Step 3: Configure Router Settings

    After completing the Switch settings, you need to log into your router interface for port forwarding. Since router interfaces vary, refer to your manual or contact the manufacturer.

    Create a new forwarding rule:

    • • Name: Nintendo Switch (for easy identification)
    • • Protocol: UDP
    • • Port Range: Start port 1, End port 65535
    • • IP Address: Enter the static IP you set on Switch (e.g., 192.168.2.40)
    • • Check "Enable" or click "Apply/Save Settings"

    Protocol

    UDP

    Port Range

    1-65535

    How to Improve Switch NAT Type D or F

    1Run Test Connection on the Switch

    Use System Settings > Internet > Test Connection and record NAT Type, download/upload result, and whether the test fully completes.

    2Improve the local connection first

    Use docked Ethernet if possible, move closer to Wi-Fi, and remove hotel, dorm, hotspot, or captive portal restrictions before changing router rules.

    3Use a stable Switch IP

    If you create router rules, reserve the Switch IP with DHCP reservation so rules do not point to the wrong device after a reboot.

    4Enable UPnP when available

    UPnP is often safer than broad manual ranges on a trusted home router. Restart the Switch and router after enabling it.

    5Use port forwarding carefully

    Some guides suggest broad UDP forwarding for Switch. Treat that as a fallback, not the first fix, and avoid broad rules for general-purpose devices.

    6Check Double NAT and CGNAT

    If the router WAN IP is private or shared, Switch port forwarding may not reach the public internet.

    Step 4: Verify Your NAT Type

    1. 1Return to Nintendo Switch System Settings.
    2. 2Select Internet, click Test Connection.
    3. 3Wait for the test to complete and check if NAT Type has changed to A.

    Avoid broad exposure as the first fix

    Forwarding UDP 1-65535 or using DMZ may improve a console-only setup, but it is broad. Prefer UPnP, narrow rules where possible, and upstream checks before exposing a device widely.

    Check NAT Type Online

    You can also use our free online NAT detection tool on any device connected to the same network as your Switch. This gives you a more detailed analysis including your exact NAT type classification.

    Pro Tips for Best Results

    • For docked mode, consider using a USB ethernet adapter for more stable connectivity.
    • Try changing your DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Primary) and 8.8.4.4 (Secondary) for potentially better performance.
    • If you still have NAT Type D or F, check if your ISP provides a public IP address. Some ISPs use carrier-grade NAT which limits your options.

    Conclusion

    By following this guide - setting up a static IP on your Switch and configuring port forwarding on your router - you should be able to achieve NAT Type A for the best Nintendo Switch Online experience. If you continue to experience issues after trying these solutions, contact your ISP as they may have additional restrictions.

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