NAT types (simplified)
Open NAT
Best connectivity
Fully reachable by other peers
Moderate NAT
Works in most cases
Some connections may fail
Strict / Symmetric NAT
Limited or no incoming connections
Can prevent sessions from completing
Why Strict NAT causes issues
With Strict or Symmetric NAT:
Incoming connections are restricted
Port mappings are unpredictable
Peer-to-peer communication may fail
This results in:
Monitoring failures
No sessions or incomplete connections
How to fix Strict NAT
1. Enable UPnP (recommended)
Log in to your router
Enable UPnP (usually under Advanced settings)
Restart your node
2. Use port forwarding
Assign a static IP to your node host
Log in to your router
Navigate to the port forwarding section
Forward UDP ports:
56000–56100
Restart node and test again
If your router does not support UPnP, port forwarding is required.
3. Use DMZ (last resort)
Log in to your router
Enable DMZ
Assign your node host IP
Note:
DMZ reduces network security
Use only if other methods fail
Platform-specific steps
If you need system-specific instructions:
Windows → How to change NAT status – Windows
macOS → How to change NAT status – macOS
Notes
Router settings vary by manufacturer
Avoid using multiple methods at the same time (e.g. UPnP + port forwarding + DMZ)
Test connectivity after each change