Network troubleshooting technician providing live chat help

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Home networking, Wi-Fi routers, modems, game consoles (PS5/Xbox), online gaming lag, NAT & port forwarding, ISP setup

Fix PS5 NAT Type Failed — strict NAT Type 3, can’t join party chat, PSN connection issues

Technician avatar Technician
Hi! We’ll get this PS5 NAT Type Failed problem sorted so you can get back online with friends. I just need a quick picture of your setup so we can pick the right fix.

When you run the Test Internet Connection on your PS5, does it show NAT Type Failed, Type 3 (strict NAT), or a specific PS5 error code (like NW-102417-5)? Are you connected over Wi-Fi or Ethernet?

Also, what does your network look like:
• Just one router/Wi-Fi box from your ISP?
• Or an ISP modem/router plus a separate gaming router / mesh Wi-Fi?

Finally, can other devices (phones, laptops) browse the web and stream fine on this network, or do you see connection drops there as well?
Customer
Internet in general works fine. All our phones and laptops stream without issues. But on the PS5, when I run the network test it says “NAT Type: Failed”. Sometimes it changes to NAT Type 3 and I still can’t join party chat or some game lobbies. The console is on Wi-Fi. We have the ISP’s combo modem/router and I added a separate TP-Link gaming router for better Wi-Fi, so the PS5 is connected to that gaming router’s network.
Technician avatar Technician
Thanks, that explains a lot. On PS5, NAT type controls how easily your console can talk to other players over the internet:

• NAT Type 1 / Open — console is directly exposed (usually via modem or DMZ), best connectivity but least common setup.
• NAT Type 2 / Moderate — normal home router setup with the right ports open or UPnP enabled; this is what we want.
• NAT Type 3 / Strict — very locked down; causes can’t join party chat, can’t host, random disconnects.

When you see PS5 NAT Type Failed, it means the console can reach the internet but PSN’s port checks are blocked. This usually happens because of:
• Double NAT — your gaming router is behind the ISP’s router, so both are doing NAT.
• UPnP disabled or broken, so ports stay closed.
• A strict firewall or missing port forwarding for PlayStation Network ports.
• In rare cases, CGNAT from the ISP (carrier-grade NAT) that prevents inbound connections entirely.

We’ll first confirm whether double NAT is the main issue, then I’ll walk you through either bridge/AP mode, DMZ, or port forwarding so the PS5 gets a clean path and NAT Type 2.
Customer
I tried connecting the PS5 directly to the ISP Wi-Fi once and it showed NAT Type 2 and worked fine, but the signal there is weak. As soon as I put it back on the TP-Link gaming router’s Wi-Fi, I either get NAT Type Failed or Type 3. So yeah, the gaming router is plugged into the ISP router with an Ethernet cable and doing its own Wi-Fi network.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect test — that confirms double NAT is the main reason your PS5 shows NAT Type Failed on the gaming router.

Right now the path looks like: PS5 → TP-Link router (NAT) → ISP router (NAT) → internet. When two routers both do NAT, PSN traffic and voice chat ports often break.

Step A — Try turning the gaming router into an Access Point
1) On a laptop or phone connected to the TP-Link, open its admin page (often 192.168.0.1 or shown on the router label).
2) Look for a mode called “Access Point Mode”, “Bridge Mode”, or a toggle that disables its own DHCP server.
3) Enable AP/bridge mode. This keeps the TP-Link Wi-Fi but lets the ISP router handle NAT and IP addresses so your PS5 is effectively on the main network.
4) Reconnect the PS5 to the TP-Link Wi-Fi (now acting as an access point) and run Test Internet Connection → View Connection Status to see the new NAT type.

If this isn’t possible or you want the TP-Link to stay as a full router, we’ll instead fix PS5 NAT Type Failed with UPnP or manual port forwarding on the main ISP box.
Customer
The ISP won’t let me put their router fully in bridge mode, but my TP-Link does have an “Access Point mode” toggle. I turned that on and now all devices get IPs from the ISP router. The PS5 test changed from “NAT Type Failed” to NAT Type 3, so it’s better but still not ideal. I can sign into PSN now, but some games still say my NAT type is too strict.
Technician avatar Technician
Good, we eliminated the worst of the double NAT. Now we just need to open the right PlayStation Network ports so your PS5 gets NAT Type 2 instead of strict.

Step B — Give the PS5 a static IP and enable UPnP / port forwarding
1) On the PS5, go to Settings → Network → View Connection Status and note the current IP address (for example 192.168.1.50).
2) In Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection, choose your network, then Advanced Settings. Set IP to Manual and assign a static IP (like 192.168.1.50) plus gateway and DNS from the status screen.
3) Log into your ISP router and look for UPnP. If it’s there, enable it and save — often that alone fixes PS5 NAT Type Failed by automatically opening ports.
4) If UPnP is missing or unreliable, set up port forwarding for the PS5’s static IP using Sony’s recommended PSN ports:
  • TCP: 80, 443, 3478–3480
  • UDP: 3478–3479
5) Save the rules, reboot the router, then restart the PS5 and run the connection test again.

With correct port forwarding or UPnP, the test should switch from NAT Type 3 to NAT Type 2 and clear most “can’t join party” and voice chat issues.
Customer
I gave the PS5 a static IP and added those TCP/UDP ports on the ISP router. After a reboot, the PS5 test no longer says “NAT Type Failed” — it now shows NAT Type 3 consistently. I can sign into PSN and some games work, but others still complain about strict NAT and I sometimes can’t join friends’ lobbies.
Technician avatar Technician
Understood — some routers are stubborn and still behave like strict NAT even with ports forwarded. In that case, the most reliable console-specific fix is using a DMZ for the PS5.

A DMZ (demilitarized zone) on home routers essentially puts one device “in front” of the firewall so all ports can reach it, which usually gives you NAT Type 2 or even Type 1 on PS5. Because the PS5 isn’t running random services like a PC, this is generally safe.

Step C — Put only the PS5 in the router’s DMZ
1) Confirm your PS5 has a static IP (for example 192.168.1.50).
2) In the ISP router’s settings, find DMZ or “Exposed Host”.
3) Enter the PS5’s static IP as the DMZ host and save.
4) Keep your existing Wi-Fi devices and PCs out of the DMZ — only the console should be there.
5) Power-cycle the router and PS5, then run Test Internet Connection again.

After this, most users see the error change from PS5 NAT Type Failed or Type 3 to NAT Type 2, and games/party chat stop complaining about strict NAT.
Customer
I added the PS5’s static IP to the DMZ and rebooted everything. Now the test shows NAT Type 2, and I can finally join party chat and invite friends without errors. The only thing I’ve noticed is that some games still warn about occasional packet loss or high ping during matches.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a great sign — we’ve solved the NAT Type Failed / strict NAT side. The packet loss / lag is now mostly about Wi-Fi quality and overall internet stability rather than NAT.

To clean that up:
• If possible, try a direct Ethernet cable from the PS5 to the router. Wired is always best for online gaming and PS5 Remote Play.
• If you must stay on Wi-Fi, move the console closer to the router, avoid walls or metal shelves, and use the less congested band:
  – 5 GHz for faster speed in the same room.
  – 2.4 GHz for longer range through walls.
• In the router, assign the PS5 a high QoS priority or “Gaming” profile so its traffic doesn’t compete with 4K streaming, cloud backups, etc.
• Make sure no one is saturating the upload (for example, large file uploads or video calls) while you’re gaming — that often causes PS5 lag spikes even with good NAT.

Once Wi-Fi or Ethernet quality is solid, you should see stable ping, fewer disconnects, and smooth party chat alongside the fixed NAT Type 2.
Customer
I ran an Ethernet cable and set the PS5 to wired. The test still shows NAT Type 2, and now games feel a lot smoother. No more random kicks from parties. I’m just a bit worried about having the console in the DMZ — is that actually safe long term?
Technician avatar Technician
Great question. For a PS5 in the DMZ, the risk is generally low because the console doesn’t expose the kind of services a PC does. It mainly listens for PSN traffic, game servers, and party chat connections.

A few safety tips:
• Keep only the PS5 in the DMZ; leave PCs, phones and NAS devices behind the normal firewall.
• Make sure the router itself still has a strong admin password and the latest firmware update from the manufacturer or ISP.
• Remember that NAT Type 2 is what Sony intends for most players. You don’t need full NAT Type 1 to play online or host lobbies reliably.
• If you prefer, you can switch later from DMZ to only port forwarding once you’re comfortable with the router settings; both approaches fix PS5 NAT Type Failed when configured correctly.

As long as the console is the only DMZ device and your router is up to date, this is a very common and practical way to solve strict NAT issues for gaming.
Customer
That makes sense. Everything’s working now — no more NAT Type Failed, games join quickly, and voice chat works. If the ISP replaces my router or it resets in the future, will I need to redo all of this from scratch?
Technician avatar Technician
If they swap the router or factory-reset it, you’d just redo a short version of this checklist:

1) Put your PS5 on a static IP again (same range as the new router).
2) Enable UPnP or recreate the PSN port forwarding rules for that address.
3) If needed, add the PS5’s IP to the DMZ on the new router.
4) Run Test Internet Connection → NAT Type and confirm it shows Type 2 instead of “NAT Type Failed”.

I recommend taking a quick screenshot or note of your working settings (PS5 IP, ports, DMZ entry) so it’s easy to restore later. And if the error ever comes back — NAT Type Failed, PS5 can’t connect to server, or can’t join party chat — you can open a chat with an expert and we’ll walk through it again with you in real time.
Customer
Got it. I took screenshots of the router settings just in case. Right now everything’s online and stable, NAT Type 2, and my friends can finally join my games. Thanks a ton for the step-by-step help.
Technician avatar Technician
You’re very welcome — happy gaming!

Summary: To fix PS5 NAT Type Failed, check that the internet and PSN are up, remove double NAT where possible (AP/bridge mode), give the console a static IP, then use UPnP, port forwarding, or DMZ so the required PSN ports can reach your PS5. That typically changes strict NAT Type 3 or “Failed” to NAT Type 2 so party chat, matchmaking, and online games work properly.

If you’d like someone to click through those router menus with you live, just start a chat with an expert and we’ll handle the NAT and port settings while you stay on the couch.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when PS5 shows NAT Type Failed: confirm other devices have internet, connect the PS5 to the main router (avoid double NAT), give the console a static IP, enable UPnP or forward required PSN ports (TCP 80, 443, 3478–3480; UDP 3478–3479), and if needed place only the PS5 in the router’s DMZ until the test shows NAT Type 2 instead of “Failed”.

Why PS5 NAT Type Failed happens (strict NAT, double NAT, blocked ports)

Most PS5 NAT Type Failed or NAT Type 3 problems are not caused by the console itself but by how your router and ISP handle NAT and firewall rules. Common causes include a second router on the same line (double NAT), UPnP disabled, missing or broken port forwarding for PSN, or very strict router security that blocks inbound game traffic even though basic browsing works.

In some cases, your ISP may use carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), which hides you behind a shared public IP and makes traditional port forwarding impossible. When that happens, even perfect local settings may still lead to PS5 can’t connect to game servers or “error connecting to party”. Separating the path into parts — PS5 → router → modem/ONT → ISP — helps you see where NAT is failing and what you can change at home versus what requires ISP support.

How to check whether the problem is PS5, router, or ISP

To narrow down a PS5 NAT Type Failed error quickly, start with simple checks:

First, make sure other devices (like a laptop on the same Wi-Fi) can browse and stream without issue. Then, on the PS5, go to Settings → Network → Test Internet Connection and note whether it fails on “Obtain IP address”, “Connect to the internet”, or only on “Connect to PlayStation Network / NAT type”. If general internet works but NAT fails, the problem is almost always your router’s NAT type, PSN ports, or double NAT. If nothing can get online, the issue is your ISP or modem instead of PS5 NAT configuration.

PS5 NAT Type Failed — quick troubleshooting tips

Get from “NAT Type Failed / Type 3” to a stable NAT Type 2 for online gaming.

Fast path: confirm PSN isn’t down → avoid double NAT by using only one router or turning the second into an access point → assign your PS5 a static IP → enable UPnP or manually forward the main PlayStation Network ports → if your router is still strict, put only the PS5 in the DMZ and test again. Combine that with a solid Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and you’ll clear most PS5 can’t join party and connection errors.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your router model, ISP, and PS5 error code, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why does my PS5 say NAT Type Failed?

Your PS5 shows NAT Type Failed when it can reach the internet but PlayStation Network can’t open the ports it needs through your router. This usually happens because of double NAT (two routers in a row), strict firewall rules, disabled UPnP, or missing PSN port forwarding. Fixing the router or gateway configuration normally resolves the error without changing the console itself.

How do I fix PS5 NAT Type Failed and get NAT Type 2?

First, avoid double NAT by using only one router or putting the second router into Access Point / Bridge mode. Then give your PS5 a static IP address, enable UPnP, or forward the main PlayStation Network ports (TCP 80, 443, 3478–3480 and UDP 3478–3479) to that IP. If your router is still strict, place just the PS5 in the DMZ and rerun the test until it shows NAT Type 2 instead of “Failed”.

What NAT type is best for PS5 online gaming?

NAT Type 2 is ideal for most PS5 players. It means your console sits behind a router for basic protection but has the right ports and NAT rules to reach PSN, join party chat, and host or join most game lobbies. NAT Type 1 is technically the most open but usually requires a modem-only or full DMZ setup and doesn’t offer much benefit over Type 2 for normal gaming.

Is it safe to put my PS5 in the router’s DMZ?

For many home users, putting only the PS5 in the DMZ is an acceptable way to fix NAT Type Failed. The console doesn’t run general-purpose services like a PC, and the DMZ just allows inbound game and chat traffic. Keep all other devices behind the normal firewall, secure the router with a strong admin password, and use the latest firmware so you have both a working NAT Type 2 and reasonable security.

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