topic CGNAT - Gaming Servers in Broadband & Landline

CGNAT - Gaming Servers

ArranLeith — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:46:59 GMT

I've recently setup my own server with Unraid. Works perfectly, can remote connect, manage my DNS living the dream. Recently got Enshrouded and discovered I can host a server for me and my friends to connect to. I set it all up, I joined the game. They see that I'm in a server (Key part) and connect. We can play have a great session. When I leave the game, they can continue playing for as long as they want.

The problem lies when I am not in the game. As I mentioned earlier Steam shows the server to them when I'm in but when I am offline. They can't see the server in the list or their favourites. They can't even connect with the IP. I have tested everything, it's all working fine. This lead me down the rabbit hole of CGNAT, everywhere is telling me it's because of CGNAT. I spoke to an agent at EE about getting this disabled and he explained this is usually for business accounts only. I tried to speak to someone at business but they didn't know what a NAT was never mind what a CGNAT was and got annoyed, then hung up on me.

I'm fairly confident it's not my server. I've checked this multiple times. All the correct ports are open, the server works flawlessly when people can get in. Is it CGNAT? Can I disable this on a consumer account and if not, how do I work around this. The only posts I can see about this are from years ago.

Re: CGNAT - Gaming Servers

XRaySpeX — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:50:20 GMT

There is no CGNAT on fixed Home BB. You sure you are not on mobile BB, which does employ CGNAT, & have posted in wrong forum? Which router do you have?

Re: CGNAT - Gaming Servers

ArranLeith — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:54:44 GMT

Thanks for the quick reply!

I have a Smart Hub 6 Plus

Re: CGNAT - Gaming Servers

XRaySpeX — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:55:47 GMT

OK. Then there is no CGNAT.

Re: CGNAT - Gaming Servers

Timbo45 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:58:35 GMT

@ArranLeith

Just to clarify what CG-NAT is.

With the use of IPv4 IP addresses ( like 192.168.1.1 ) becoming limited many ISPs are now using an IP address allocation system called CG-NAT which means that your public IP address is actually a shared one and it's only that ISP's servers that know who you are. It can mean that inter-user communication can be difficult unless you use IPv6 addresses but we won't go there right now. Typically these shared IP addresses will be in the 100.nnn.nnn.nnn range and is more likely when you're with a smaller ISP as I am and I do have CG-NAT.

So yes CG-NAT is used for home BB but I 'm pretty certain that BT/EE or Openreach don't use it so you should be getting a unique public IP Address meaning any user on the internet can communicate with you directly.