How to Change NAT Type on Black Ops 3
Playing online multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be frustrating if you encounter connectivity issues. One common problem is having a poor NAT type, which can affect your gameplay. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to change your NAT type on Black Ops 3, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
Understanding NAT Types
Before diving into the steps to change your NAT type, it’s important to understand what NAT is and the different types of NAT you might encounter.
NAT, or Network Address Translation, is a protocol that allows multiple devices in a local network to share a single public IP address. This is essential for the internet to function efficiently. There are three main types of NAT:
NAT Type | Description |
---|---|
Open | Best NAT type for online gaming. Allows full communication with other players. |
Moderate | Good NAT type. Allows some communication with other players, but not as much as Open. |
Strict | Worst NAT type. Limited or no communication with other players. |
Now that you understand the different NAT types, let’s move on to the steps to change your NAT type on Black Ops 3.
Step 1: Check Your Current NAT Type
Before attempting to change your NAT type, it’s important to know what your current NAT type is. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Black Ops 3 game on your console.
- Select “Options” from the main menu.
- Go to “Network” and then “Network Settings.”
- Look for the NAT type information. It should be listed as “NAT Type” or something similar.
Once you know your current NAT type, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Update Your Router’s Firmware
Outdated router firmware can cause connectivity issues, including a poor NAT type. To ensure your router is up to date, follow these steps:
- Access your router’s web interface by typing its IP address into a web browser. The default IP address is often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
- Log in using the default username and password, which can usually be found in the router’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Look for a section called “Firmware Update” or “Router Update.” Follow the instructions to check for and install any available updates.
After updating your router’s firmware, restart your router and try checking your NAT type again.
Step 3: Configure Your Router’s Port Forwarding
Port forwarding allows specific network traffic to be directed to a specific device on your network. To configure port forwarding for Black Ops 3, follow these steps:
- Access your router’s web interface as described in Step 2.
- Look for a section called “Port Forwarding” or “NAT Forwarding.” This section may be located under “Advanced” or “Security.”
- Click on “Add” or “New Rule” to create a new port forwarding rule.
- Enter the following information:
- Application: Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
- External Port: 3074 (UDP)
- Internal Port: 3074 (UDP)
- Internal IP: The IP address of your gaming console
- Save the changes and exit the router’s web interface.
After configuring port forwarding, restart your router and try checking your NAT type again.
Step 4: Use a Quality of Service (QoS) Setting
A QoS setting prioritizes network traffic for certain applications, which can improve your gaming experience. To enable QoS for Black Ops