How to set up port forwarding on your Playstation 4
Do you experience lags when you play games on your Playstation 4? Do you get dropped from games or blocked from lobbies? If so, your router’s Network Address Translation (NAT) might be affecting your gameplay.
NAT is a default router option that hides your secure, private IP address behind an unrelated, public IP address. While NAT makes your private network more secure, it can affect online gaming by causing lags, dropping you from games, and preventing you from joining lobbies.
Luckily, it’s easy to open your NAT for better Playstation gaming using a networking technique called port forwarding. With port forwarding, you can:
- Reduce game lags
- Stop getting dropped from games
- Improve the sound quality of voice chat
- Play with friends or join lobbies
- Host games
To set up port forwarding, you need to determine your NAT type, get a static IP address, determine your game’s port number and type, and change your NAT type.
Determine your NAT type
Playstation 4 has three NAT types: Type 1 (open), Type 2 (moderate), and Type 3 (strict). Each type provides a different level of network security and affects gaming in a different way.
- Type 1 (open) doesn’t provide any anonymity or additional network security. With an open NAT, you will be able to connect to any game hosted by anyone and host your own game.
- Type 2 (moderate) provides some anonymity and network security. It lets you connect to other players, but limits some functions. You may not be able to join lobbies if you have a moderate NAT.
- Type 3 (strict) provides maximum anonymity and network security. It limits connectivity with other players, particularly those who also have a strict or moderate NAT on their network.
To determine your NAT setting with your Playstation 4, navigate to Settings, then to Network, then to Test Internet Connection to see your NAT type.
Find your IP configuration
To find your IP configuration (which you’ll need to set a static IP address for your Playstation 4), you’ll need to use your PC:
- Navigate to “Command Prompt” by using the search or by clicking on “Start” and typing “cmd.”
- Type “ipconfig” and click enter.
Your current local IP address is “IPv4 Address.” Your subnet mask is “Subnet Mask.” You’ll need these two numbers later.
Determine your DHCP range
To find your DHCP range (which you’ll need to set a static IP address for your Playstation 4), navigate to your router’s setup page:
- Access the setup page by entering your router’s IP address into your browser’s address bar. Most routers have the default LAN IP address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. See a full list of default IP addresses here.
- Login to access the setup page. The default password is usually “admin,” but here’s a full list of default router passwords.
Each router manufacturer arranges its setup page a little differently. Look for “DHCP Scope” in the settings. If you can’t find it, you may want to contact you router manufacturer for assistance. Many routers, however, have a DHCP scope of 100-254.
Set a static IP address for your Playstation 4
Now, use the information you gathered to set a static IP address for your Playstation 4:
- On your Playstation 4, navigate to “Settings,” then to “Network,” then to “Set Up Internet Connection.”
- Choose “Use Wi-Fi” if you’re connecting to a wireless connection or “Use a LAN Cable” if you’re connecting with Ethernet.
- Choose “Custom.” Then, enter an unused IP address that’s compatible with your router. To do this, change the last number of your local IP address to any number that’s outside the DHCP range of your current address and is also less than 254. If your current local IP address is 192.168.1.143 and your DHCP range is 50-150, for example, you might choose the static address 192.168.1.3.
- In the subnet mask field, enter the same subnet mask as your PC connection. In the default gateway field, enter your router’s default IP address. Press enter.
- Choose “Do Not Use” a proxy server.
Determine your port number and type
To change your NAT type to “open,” you need to input the port number and type of your game into your router setup page. To find your game’s port number, navigate to network settings and look for “Inbound port.” Here are the inbound ports and types for some of the most popular Playstation 4 games:
- Fortnite
- TCP: 1935, 3478-3480
- UDP: 3074, 3478-3479
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- TCP: 1935, 3478-3480
- UDP: 3074, 3478-3479
- Fallout 76
- TCP: 1935, 3478-3480
- UDP: 3074, 3478-3479
- Battlefield V
- TCP: 1935, 3478-3480, 9988, 10000-10100, 17502, 42127
- UDP: 3074, 3478-3479, 3659, 14000-14016
Change your NAT type
To change your NAT type to “open” with port forwarding, open your PC and navigate back to your router’s setup page.
- On your router’s setup page, look for “port forwarding.” Here’s how to find the port-forwarding panel on a Linksys router, for example.
- When you make it to the panel, a list of ports should pop up. Enable a new port and give it a name in the “Description” box.
- Enter the inbound port number of your game and the type of port. See “Determine your port number and type” above.
- Under “Private port” enter the same number you entered under “Inbound port” i.e. the one indicated in your game’s network settings.
- Save your settings.
- Unplug your console for 30 seconds. Then, reboot it.
- To test the NAT of your new connection, navigate to Settings on your Playstation 4, then to Network, then to Test Internet Connection to see your NAT type.
For more specific information about switching between “strict,” “moderate,” and “open” ports, we suggest visiting your router manufacturer’s official website.
Port triggering for multiple consoles
To change your console’s NAT type to “open,” you can use either port forwarding or port triggering. If you have multiple gaming consoles on the same server, you’ll want to set up port triggering instead of port forwarding. You can set up port triggering on your router’s setup page. Just navigate to “port triggering” instead of “port forwarding” from the main menu.
