NAT Type Strict or Moderate — Fix It for Any Game
Strict NAT is the single most common reason you can't join friends or host a lobby. Here's how to read it and open it up on every platform.
- Check and fix your NAT type — Strict NAT is the #1 cause of 'can't join friends'. You need Moderate or Open to host and to receive invites reliably.
- On Steam: Settings → In-Game → check the 'NAT' indicator, or test via Steam's network settings.
- On Xbox: Settings → General → Network settings → 'NAT type'.
- On PlayStation: Settings → Network → View Connection Status → 'NAT Type'.
- If Strict: enable UPnP and/or port-forward (see those fixes). Tether to a phone hotspot once to confirm — if it works there, the issue is your home router.
- Enable UPnP on your router — UPnP lets the game open its own port automatically. With it off, you'll often get Strict NAT and can't host or receive invites.
- Log in to your router admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
- Find 'UPnP' or 'Universal Plug and Play' and turn it ON.
- Save and reboot the router, then retry the game.
- Port-forward the game's ports — If UPnP alone doesn't help, forward the ports manually so your router routes game traffic to your PC/console. Use the per-game port list on the game's page.
- Note the ports listed for your game (Steam P2P uses UDP 27015–27030 and UDP 3478 / 4379 / 4380).
- In your router, create port-forward rules (UDP) pointing to your device's local IP.
- Set a static LAN IP (DHCP reservation) so the rule keeps working after reboots.
- Test again — your NAT should now read Moderate or Open.
- Turn off VPN, proxy, and 'kill switch' tools — VPNs and routing tools reroute P2P traffic and trigger Strict NAT or total blocks. Disable them for the session.
- Fully quit your VPN app (not just disconnect — quit it).
- Disable any proxy in Windows Settings → Network → Proxy.
- Temporarily uninstall 'kill switch' / firewall-overlay tools if the issue persists.
- Retry the join with a direct connection.
- If nothing helps at home but a phone hotspot works, your ISP is using CGNAT — ask them for a public IP or use a gaming VPN that supports UDP forwarding.
Game-specific guides
Co-op zombie survival on Steam, PS, Xbox (no crossplay).
7 Days to Die
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op prison-escape adventure on Steam, PS & Xbox (no crossplay).
A Way Out
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op survival horror (PC only).
Abiotic Factor
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Free-to-play battle royale (full crossplay).
Apex Legends
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Dino survival remake (full crossplay).
ARK: Survival Ascended
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Dino survival (PC only).
ARK: Survival Evolved
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op space sandbox on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (partial crossplay).
Astroneer
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op zombie shooter on PC, PS & Xbox (full crossplay).
Back 4 Blood
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
CRPG co-op on PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox with full crossplay.
Baldur's Gate 3
SteamMacPS5Xbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Large-scale warfare (full crossplay).
Battlefield 2042
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op looter-shooter on PC, PS & Xbox (full crossplay via SHiFT).
Borderlands 3
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
COD HQ (MW/Warzone, full crossplay).
Call of Duty
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Survival sandbox (PC only).
Conan Exiles
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op horror on Steam (Steam-only, no crossplay).
Content Warning
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op mining & crafting on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (partial crossplay on PC).
Core Keeper
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
5v5 tactical shooter (PC only).
Counter-Strike 2
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Open-world survival (PC only).
DayZ
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
4v1 asymmetric horror (full crossplay).
Dead by Daylight
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op mining & combat on Steam, Xbox & PS (full crossplay).
Deep Rock Galactic
SteamXboxPS
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Large-scale FPS (full crossplay).
Delta Force
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op ghost-hunting horror on Steam (Steam-only, no crossplay).
Demonologist
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op MMO shooter on Steam, PS & Xbox (full crossplay).
Destiny 2
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op exorcism horror (PC only).
DEVOUR
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op RPG on PC & consoles (no crossplay).
Divinity: Original Sin 2
SteamGOGPSXboxSwitchMac
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op survival on Steam, PS4, Xbox & Switch (no crossplay).
Don't Starve Together
SteamPS4XboxSwitch
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Parkour zombie co-op (console crossplay).
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · crossplay ✓
FromSoftware co-op & invasions on same-platform only (no crossplay).
Elden Ring
SteamPS5Xbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op survival & building on Steam (no console version yet).
Enshrouded
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op party battle royale on all platforms (full crossplay).
Fall Guys
SteamPSXboxSwitchMobile
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op Legends mode (full crossplay).
Ghost of Tsushima (Legends)
SteamPS
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op action JRPG on PC, PS & Switch (crossplay via Endless Ragnarok).
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
SteamPSSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op survival horror on Steam, PS & Xbox (no crossplay).
Green Hell
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op survival shrunk to bug-size on Xbox, PC & Steam (crossplay).
Grounded
XboxSteamPC
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op open-world on Steam, Epic, PS & Xbox (no crossplay).
GTA Online
SteamEpicPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op horror PvE on Steam (Steam-only, no crossplay).
GTFO
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op galactic warfare on Steam & PS5 (crossplay).
Helldivers 2
SteamPS5
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Physics puzzle co-op (full crossplay).
Human Fall Flat
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
PvPvE extraction shooter (full crossplay).
Hunt: Showdown 1896
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Session-based survival (PC only).
ICARUS
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op platformer on Steam, PS, Xbox & Switch (Friend's Pass, no crossplay).
It Takes Two
SteamPSXboxSwitch
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op zombie shooter on Steam, PS & Xbox (no crossplay).
Killing Floor 2
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op zombie classic on Steam (Steam-only, no crossplay).
Left 4 Dead 2
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op scavenging horror on Steam (Steam-only, no crossplay).
Lethal Company
Steam
3 fix guides · crossplay ✓
6v6 hero shooter (full crossplay).
Marvel Rivals
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op life-sim & building on Steam, PS & Xbox (no crossplay).
Medieval Dynasty
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op monster hunting on Steam, PS, Xbox & Switch (no crossplay).
Monster Hunter Rise
SteamPSXboxSwitch
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Open-world hunting co-op (full crossplay).
Monster Hunter Wilds
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op monster hunting on Steam, PS4, Xbox (no crossplay).
Monster Hunter: World
SteamPS4Xbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op melee battle royale on PC, PS & Xbox (full crossplay).
Naraka: Bladepoint
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Shared-world survival crafting (PC only).
Nightingale
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op space exploration on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (full crossplay).
No Man's Sky
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op open-world survival shooter on PC & mobile (crossplay PC↔mobile).
Once Human
PCMobile
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op cooking on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (partial crossplay on PC).
Overcooked! 2
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
5v5 hero shooter (full crossplay).
Overwatch 2
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Open-world creature-collecting with co-op on Steam & Xbox (crossplay).
Palworld
SteamXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op heist shooter on Steam, PS, Xbox & Switch (no crossplay).
Payday 2
SteamPSXboxSwitch
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op mountain-climbing roguelike (PC only).
PEAK
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
4-player online co-op ghost-hunting on Steam & VR.
Phasmophobia
SteamVR
3 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Roguelite restaurant co-op on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (partial crossplay).
PlateUp!
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Isometric zombie survival (PC only).
Project Zomboid
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Battle royale (console crossplay only).
PUBG: Battlegrounds
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Competitive party board game (full crossplay).
Pummel Party
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op ocean survival on Steam, PS, Xbox & Switch (no crossplay).
Raft
SteamPSXboxSwitch
3 fix guides · no crossplay
5v5 tactical shooter (console crossplay).
Rainbow Six Siege
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op soulslike on Steam, PS & Xbox (full crossplay).
Remnant 2
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
3-player co-op soulslike (PC only).
Remnant: From the Ashes
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op roguelike on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (PC crossplay only).
Risk of Rain 2
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Car soccer (full crossplay).
Rocket League
SteamPSXboxSwitchEpic
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Hardcore survival (PC only).
Rust
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op factory builder on PC, PS5 & Xbox (partial crossplay).
Satisfactory
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op crime tycoon (PC only).
Schedule I
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op pirate adventure on Xbox, PC & PS (crossplay via Xbox Live).
Sea of Thieves
XboxPCPS5
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Miniature-scale survival on PC, Xbox & PS5 (full crossplay).
Smalland: Survive the Wilds
SteamXboxPS
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op survival horror on Steam (Steam-only, no crossplay).
Sons of the Forest
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Tribal survival (PC only).
Soulmask
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Engineering sandbox on PC, Xbox & PS (full crossplay).
Space Engineers
SteamXboxPS
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op-only action adventure (full crossplay).
Split Fiction
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op farming life-sim on PC & consoles (no crossplay).
Stardew Valley
SteamGOGPSXboxSwitchMobile
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op zombie survival on Xbox, Steam & Windows (Xbox Live cross-play).
State of Decay 2
XboxSteamWindows
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Class-based shooter (PC only).
Team Fortress 2
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op sandbox on PC & consoles (no crossplay).
Terraria
SteamGOGPSXboxSwitchMobile
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op looter-shooter on Steam, PS & Xbox (no crossplay).
The Division 2
SteamPSXbox
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Destructible-arena shooter (full crossplay).
The Finals
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op looter-shooter on Steam, PS & Xbox (full crossplay).
The First Descendant
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op survival horror on Steam & PS4 (no crossplay).
The Forest
SteamPS4
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op horror trials (full crossplay).
The Outlast Trials
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
4v3 asymmetric horror (full crossplay).
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Build-your-own-platformer party game (full crossplay).
Ultimate Chicken Horse
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op train building (full crossplay).
Unrailed!
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op vampire survival on PC & PS5 (no crossplay).
V Rising
SteamPS
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Co-op Viking survival on Steam (Steam-only, dedicated servers).
Valheim
Steam
3 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op sci-fi looter on Steam, PS, Xbox & Switch (full crossplay).
Warframe
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
4-player co-op shooter on PC, PS5 & Xbox (crossplay).
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
SteamXboxPS
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
3-player co-op campaign/ops (full crossplay).
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
SteamPSXbox
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
4-player co-op hack-and-slash (PC only).
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Steam
3 fix guides · no crossplay
Two-player asymmetric co-op puzzle on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (full crossplay).
We Were Here
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓
Co-op zombie shooter on PC, PS, Xbox & Switch (full crossplay).
World War Z: Aftermath
SteamPSXboxSwitch
4 fix guides · crossplay ✓