NAT Checker
    Guide
    12 min readJun 11, 2026

    How to Change NAT Type on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

    Fix Nintendo Switch NAT Type B, D, or F, learn when Type B is good enough, and use safer steps to reach Type A on Switch or Switch 2.

    Quick Answer: What Switch NAT Type Should You Aim For?

    Aim for NAT Type A or B. Type A is the most open result, but Type B is normal behind a home router and usually works well. Troubleshoot Type D or Type F first because those are the results most likely to break peer-to-peer play.

    • Switch NAT Type B is not a failure. Keep it if online games, friend invites, and voice chat work reliably.
    • To get NAT Type A, use a stable Switch IP, enable UPnP or create a router rule for the console, then retest from System Settings > Internet > Test Connection.
    • NAT Type D usually means the Switch can only connect to very open peers. Check Wi-Fi quality, router settings, Double NAT, and CGNAT before changing ports.
    • Switch 2 uses the same practical troubleshooting path: test the connection, confirm whether Type B is acceptable, and fix Type D or F at the router or ISP layer.

    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.

    Switch 2 follows the same pattern

    For Switch 2 NAT Type B, D, or F, read the letter the same way: B is usually usable, D is restrictive, and F means the connection test failed.

    Before You Forward Every UDP Port

    Many Switch NAT guides jump straight to UDP 1-65535. That can work for a console, but it is a broad rule. These checks usually find the real cause with less exposure.

    Try UPnP first on a trusted home router

    UPnP lets the console request temporary mappings. Enable it only on a router you control, restart the router and Switch, then run Test Connection again.

    Reserve the Switch IP address

    Use DHCP reservation when possible. Manual IPs work, but a router-side reservation avoids address conflicts after reboots.

    Check the upstream NAT path

    If your router's WAN address is private or shared, port forwarding on your home router may never reach the public internet. That is a Double NAT or CGNAT problem.

    Step 1: Get Required Network Information

    Before changing router rules, record the local network details you need for a stable Switch IP: 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 stable IP on your Switch so UPnP, DHCP reservation, or port forwarding rules point to the console instead of a different device.

    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, log into your router only if UPnP or a DHCP reservation does not fix the result. Router interfaces vary, so use your router manual or manufacturer support for the exact menu names.

    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 whether NAT Type changed to A or B. If it is still D or F, check Double NAT or CGNAT next.

    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.

    Nintendo Switch NAT Type FAQ

    How do I change NAT type on Nintendo Switch?

    Run Test Connection, keep or reserve a stable Switch IP address, enable UPnP on a trusted home router, restart the router and console, then retest. If NAT Type is still D or F, check Double NAT, CGNAT, or use a careful console-only port forwarding rule as a fallback.

    Is NAT Type B good on Nintendo Switch?

    Yes. NAT Type B is usually good for Nintendo Switch Online because it commonly means the console is behind a normal home router. If matchmaking and friend sessions work, you do not need to force Type A.

    Is Switch 2 NAT Type B good enough?

    For most home networks, Switch 2 NAT Type B should be good enough. Treat Type D and Type F as the higher-priority problems because they indicate restrictive or failed connectivity.

    What does NAT Type D mean on Nintendo Switch?

    NAT Type D means restrictive connectivity. The Switch may fail to connect to many peer-hosted sessions, especially with friends who are also behind restrictive NAT.

    What does NAT Type F mean on Nintendo Switch?

    NAT Type F means the Switch connection test failed for NAT traversal. Common causes include blocked networks, captive portals, VPNs, hotspots, Double NAT, or CGNAT.

    Which ports should I forward for Nintendo Switch?

    Nintendo Switch port forwarding advice often uses UDP 1-65535 for the console IP. Use that only for a dedicated console on a trusted home network, and prefer UPnP or narrower router controls when available.

    Can Double NAT stop Switch port forwarding from working?

    Yes. If another router, modem-router, mobile carrier, or ISP CGNAT sits upstream, a rule on your home router may not expose the Switch to the public internet.

    Does changing DNS fix Nintendo Switch NAT Type?

    Changing DNS can help name lookup issues, but it usually does not change NAT behavior. If the problem is Type D or F, focus on router mappings, Double NAT, CGNAT, or blocked network policies.

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