/ How to

How to Forward Ports and Change NAT Type on Your Xbox One Console

Having issues connecting to Xbox Live or playing online multiplayer games on your Xbox One? You may need to forward ports or change your NAT (Network Address Translation) type to open or moderate. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help improve your Xbox One’s online gaming connectivity.

Why Forward Ports and Change NAT Type

Forwarding ports and modifying your NAT type allows your Xbox One to make direct connections for online play.

Benefits include:

  • Play online multiplayer games without issues
  • Host or join parties and chats
  • Achieve lower latency and lag
  • Resolve strict or closed NAT issues

Check Your Current NAT Type

First, check what NAT type you currently have:

  1. Go to Settings > Network on your Xbox One
  2. Select Test NAT type
  3. Note whether you have open, moderate, or strict NAT

Ideal NAT Type: Open or Moderate

Forward Ports on Your Router

Ports used by Xbox Live:

  • TCP Ports: 53, 80, 3074
  • UDP Ports: 53, 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

To forward:

  1. Log in to your router’s admin interface
  2. Navigate to the port forwarding or virtual server section
  3. Input your Xbox One’s IP address
  4. Enter the TCP and UDP ports above
  5. Save changes

Consult your router’s manual for exact steps.

Enable UPnP

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) automatically handles port forwarding.

To enable:

  1. Log in to your router’s admin interface
  2. Find UPnP settings
  3. Toggle UPnP to “On” position
  4. Save changes

Assign Static IP Address

Using a static IP prevents your Xbox IP from changing:

  1. Go to Settings > Network > Advanced settings on your Xbox
  2. Select IP settings
  3. Choose Manual instead of Automatic
  4. Input a static IP address outside of the router’s DHCP range
  5. Save changes

Alternate MAC Address

Clearing your alternate MAC address resets your Xbox One’s network components:

  1. Go to Settings > Network > Advanced settings
  2. Select Alternate MAC address
  3. Choose Clear
  4. Restart your Xbox One

Set DNS Settings to Google Public DNS

Using public DNS may also help:

  1. Go to Settings > Network > Advanced settings on your Xbox
  2. Choose DNS settings
  3. Select Manual
  4. Set Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8
  5. Secondary DNS to 8.8.4.4
  6. Save your changes

Test and Verify

After applying any of the steps above:

  1. Go to Settings > Network on your Xbox
  2. Select Test NAT type
  3. Check if your NAT type changed to open or moderate

If you still have strict NAT, contact your ISP for further troubleshooting. Port forwarding and UPnP may be disabled.

I hope this guide helps resolve any strict NAT or connectivity issues for online gaming on your Xbox One! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Related Posts