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Welcome to ourXbox helpguide for UPnP and getting Open NAT on your Xbox console!
NAT determines how easily you connect to other players, potentially limitingwhoyou can enjoy games with.
You can check your NAT on Xbox’s settings menu, under General, and then Network settings.
This somewhat represents your compatibility with other players, with stricter NAT types often experiencing issues with multiplayer connectivity.
A good way of showing how NAT influences connectivity is through a handy grid (below).
This shows the compatibility between NAT types and why aiming for Open NAT makes for the best overall experience.
You can check your NAT on Xbox’s settings menu, under General, and then Network settings.
Users with Open NAT will usually see the best experience on Xbox Live.
One of the standard solutions is port forwarding, helping to route gaming traffic directly to your console.
UPnP essentially allows applications to forward ports automatically, avoiding the hassle of manual “port forwarding.”
Multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 may sometimes require an Open NAT for setting up lobbies, and a “Strict NAT” can sometimes interfere with connectivity.
And for many, it’s a simple flick of a switch.
You should note that UPnP has seen heavy criticism due to the technology’s long list of security flaws.
Malicious programs can leverage UPnP vulnerabilities simply because of its open nature.
Enabling UPnP is usually as simple as just finding the right setting menu in your router’s admin page.
So there might be some related security risk here.
If you want to enable UPnP on your router, the setup process is simple.
Steps will vary between router models, though we’ve provided a general guideline of what to expect.
This can also help with PC gaming in some specific games and platforms too.
For a step-by-step explainer, check ourXbox One and Xbox Series X|S port forwarding guide.
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