How To Get NAT Type A On Nintendo Switch | Port Forwarding
Are you experiencing connectivity problems such as being unable to join online matches or play together with your friends? If you are, your Nintendo Switch may have a NAT type problem. In this short guide, we’ll show you how to change the NAT type of your console with port forwarding. If you haven’t heard about NAT or port forwarding, read on.
What is NAT?
If you’re having an issue playing online on Nintendo Switch with friends, it’s probably caused by a restrictive NAT type. So what is NAT?
Every device in the entire web needs a unique IP address in order to communicate with each other. Since an ISP only provides one IP address for every customer, devices in a local home network needs to find a way to get a valid IP in order to talk to other computers over the internet. To do this, your router, which has an ISP-assigned IP address, needs to manage a set of IP addresses for your devices.
Network Address Translation lets your router provide an IP address to devices connected to it. Only devices that have valid router-assigned IP address can connect to the internet.
Nintendo Switch NAT types
In a Nintendo Switch, there are 5 NAT types: A, B, C, D and F. If your console has NAT type A, that’s an indication that it will work with other devices with all types of NAT. NAT type B is okay as it can work with most types of NAT also. A Switch with NAT type C may find it hard to connect with some players that have restrictive NAT types. NAT type D is restrictive since it can only work with players that have NAT type A. NAT type F is really problematic as it blocks all types of communication, which means that your Switch will not be able to connect with other players at all.
Why get NAT type A on Nintendo Switch?
Unless you intend to use your Nintendo Switch for offline games only, you want to have NAT type A at all times. Having this type of NAT significantly lessens the chance of encountering issues when playing online with other players.
How To Get NAT Type A On Nintendo Switch?
Suggested readings:
- How To Fix Nintendo Switch Wifi Keeps Disconnecting | Easy Solutions
- How To Get A Wet Suit, Swim, And Dive In Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- How To Restrict Child Playing Time On Nintendo Switch (Parental Controls)
- How To Check Nintendo Switch Play Time For Legend Of Zelda: BOTW
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My goal was to fix an impossible NAT type traversal error that has been preventing me from playing online Smash Bros. My NAT type is B. After doing this perfectly, it is STILL B, and I STILL can’t play. Maddening!