How to Change NAT Type on Windows 11
Complete guide to change NAT type from Strict or Moderate to Open on Windows 11 for better online gaming and connectivity.
Hello everyone! In this guide, I will show you how to change NAT type on Windows 11. Whether your network is currently Strict or Moderate, if you want to switch to Open NAT for a better online connection experience, follow these steps.
Understanding Windows NAT Types
Windows NAT types determine how your network handles incoming and outgoing connections. Understanding these types is essential for optimizing your online gaming and application connectivity.
| NAT Type | Description | Connection Quality |
|---|---|---|
Open Internet | Direct connection to the internet with no NAT restrictions | Excellent |
Full Cone NAT | Most open NAT type, all external hosts can send packets to internal host | Excellent |
Restricted NAT | Only allows connections from hosts you have previously sent packets to | Good |
Port Restricted NAT | Like Restricted NAT, but also checks the source port number | Moderate |
Symmetric NAT | Most restrictive, uses different external port for each destination | Poor |
Step 1: Get Network Information
First, open the Start menu, search for and run cmd (Command Prompt). Enter the ipconfig command and press Enter. Record your IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. Keep this window open for the next steps.
- 1Open Start menu and search for "cmd", then open Command Prompt
- 2Type ipconfig and press Enter
- 3Record IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway values
ipconfigStep 2: Manually Configure Network Adapter
Configure your network adapter with static IP and DNS settings for better control over your connection.
- 1Open Start menu, search for "View network connections" and open it
- 2Find your current network adapter (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi), right-click and select Properties
- 3Double-click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
- 4Select "Use the following IP address" and enter your IP, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway from cmd
- 5For DNS, use Google Public DNS (Preferred: 8.8.8.8, Alternate: 8.8.4.4), then click OK
Preferred DNS Server
8.8.8.8Alternate DNS Server
8.8.4.4Step 3: Restore Internet Advanced Settings
Reset Internet Options to ensure clean network settings.
- 1Open Start menu and search for "Internet Options"
- 2Switch to the Advanced tab and click "Restore advanced settings"
- 3Click Apply, then OK
Step 4: Reinstall Network Adapter Driver
Reinstalling the network adapter driver can resolve driver-related connectivity issues.
- 1Open Start menu and search for "Device Manager"
- 2Expand "Network adapters" and find your network driver (e.g., Realtek or Intel Ethernet Adapter)
- 3Right-click the adapter and select "Uninstall device". After uninstalling, click "Scan for hardware changes" in the toolbar
- 4After installation, right-click the adapter again and select "Update driver" → "Search automatically for drivers"
Verify Your NAT Type
After completing all steps and restarting your computer, use our free online tool to verify your new NAT type:
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Always restart your computer after making all these network changes.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for more stable and consistent NAT results.
- If you still have issues, check your router settings for UPnP or port forwarding options.
Conclusion
After completing all the steps above, please restart your computer. This should successfully change your NAT type, thereby improving the connection performance of online games and network applications. If you continue to experience issues, consider configuring port forwarding on your router or contacting your ISP.