NAT settings can affect matchmaking and chat in online games

NAT type describes how a gaming device communicates through a home network, and can affect matchmaking, voice chat and joining friends. A Strict setting may cause problems, especially in games that connect players directly, but a warning alone does not mean anything needs changing if the game works properly.

On Xbox and PC, the labels are Open, Moderate and Strict; PlayStation uses Types 1 to 3, while Nintendo Switch uses letters. Strict connections have the fewest compatible players and may trigger errors, whereas Moderate generally works with Open and Moderate players. An Open label is not necessarily a target: connecting a device directly to the internet can bypass router security, and NAT settings are less influential in games that rely on dedicated servers.