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Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Jez Corden

How to get Open NAT on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One with port forwarding

Halo 5: Guardians.

If you're seeing the message "Strict NAT" on your Xbox's Wi-Fi connection menu, you might be causing yourself some multiplayer headaches. 

Network Address Translation (NAT) plays a central role in multiplayer gaming, particularly so on Microsoft's Xbox network. This has been true since the Xbox 360 era, and now extends through to Xbox One S and Xbox One X, all the way to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. It can also impact multiplayer games played via Microsoft's PC offering on Windows 11 too, both via the Microsoft Store and even via Steam. Making sure you have the correct ports open and forwarded to compliment Microsoft's gaming network is absolutely paramount. 

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