Fix Xbox Live Nat, From Strict to Open!

22Feb/1024

Fix Xbox Live Nat, From Strict to Open!

Network Address Translation(NAT), is a networking concept that lets your router share a single IP Address across multiple devices. However not all the information can make it back to your Xbox as Xbox Live does not see your xbox's IP it just see's the one your ISP gave you.

Confused? Think of it like your house, you most likely have 1 address for multiple people. Each piece of mail has the name of the person it belongs to, without the name there is no guarantee it will get to the right person. By doing something called "Port Forwarding" you are basically ensuring everything from Xbox Live has your Xbox's name on it.

Due to the fact fixing this is different on every type of router, we are covering multiple routers which makes this guide long. If you have issues with any of this feel free to hop in our Chat or leave us a comment; we will do our best to help you.

How Does NAT Effect you?

You may have problems trying to play a game together with a particular friend. You cannot join his game or he cannot join yours.
You may not be able to hear a certain person within a game, but you can see that he is talking.
You may not be able to accept a friend's game invite.

Some Things to Be Aware Of:

NAT does not affect lag within game play. It affects only the ability to connect with other players.
If you are at a school dormitory, military base, work, etc. Basically any place that you do not have access to the firewall/router, you will not be able to fix the NAT Issue.

Harvesting Information You Will Need.

(Windows Users)

Go to Start > Run and type cmd.
Type ipconfig /all in this command prompt.
Write down the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Servers

Setting Xbox to a Static IP

(On your Xbox)

Go to the System Section
Select Network Setting.
Select Edit Settings
Select the IP Settings Box
Change it to manual
Select IP Address
Type in the IP Address you wrote down up to the 3rd dot(.), after that put the number 156 in. Your IP Should look something like (number).(number).(number).156
After you finished typing in your IP Address, Navigate to Subnet Mask
Enter the Subnet Mask you wrote down then navigate to the Gateway
Enter your Gateway Information, and select Done.
Go to the DNS Settings and select Manual.
Enter the DNS Servers you had written down, if you only wrote down 1; use the same address for primary and secondary
Ensure the xbox still has internet connection by going to System > Network Settings > Test Xbox Live Connection, your NAT will not be open just yet; this is just to ensure you have entered your xbox's information correctly.

Configuring Port Forwarding

(Linksys Routers)

Open a web browser and type in the gateway you wrote down in the Address(URL) Bar.
It should prompt you for a username and password, for the default login don't put anything for username and for the password put admin, if this doesn't work try admin for both username and password.
Go to the Applications and Gaming tab.
Make the page look like this:

Application	Start	End	Protocol	IP Address	Enabled
XBL	3074	3074	Both	.156	Checked
XBL	88	88	UDP	.156	Checked

Save the settings.
Test the NAT on your Xbox now, it should be open!

(MI424WR [Verizon FIOS])

Open a web browser and type in the gateway you wrote down in the Address(URL) Bar.
It should prompt you for a username and password, enter the one Verizon gave you; chances are the username is admin and password is password1. If that doesn't work change the password to password
Click Advanced near the top.
Click Universal Plug and Play
Check Allow Other Network Users to Control Wireless Broadband Router's Network Features
Click My Network Near the top
Find your Xbox's IP and click Enable Applications
At the bottom of this table, click Add
Put you Xbox's IP next to Network Computer /Device
Change the Protocol to XboX and click Apply
You should have an Open NAT now, enjoy.

(Net Gear)

Open a web browser and type in the gateway you wrote down in the Address(URL) Bar.
It should prompt you for a username and password, default has no password and username is admin
Click Advanced near the top.
Ensure Virtual Servers is selected
Forward ports 3074 and 88 via UDP and 3074 via TCP... 3074 UDP example below:

Name: XBL

Private IP: (one you set to your xbox [number].[number].[number].156)

Protocol: UDP

Private Port: 3074

Public Port: 3074

Schedule: Always

Apply

Your NAT should now be open

(D Link)

Open a web browser and type in the gateway you wrote down in the Address(URL) Bar.
It should prompt you for a username and password, default is username admin with a password of password
Click Services on the left
Click Add Service
3074 both UDP and TCP and 88 just UDP; this will require you clicking add service 3x example below