Moderate NAT: UPNP not succesful - PS5&XBox - WiFi 7 Router

[ScoundrelDaysSo]

Hi, 

I've seen a few threads taking about this but it seems that they've never been resolved. I game using PS5/XBox and since upgrading from BT to EE have been hit with the above problem. 

The XBox will display 'moderate NAT UPNP not successful'. If you run the 'Test NAT' a few times it switches to open. So far so good. But the moment you load up an online game, when the runner meets the road, after connecting with Internet services the game, let's say Black Ops 6, displays a moderate NAT (found under Network/ Network Info when in multiplayer) Settings, then going back to the NAT submenu the NAT shows up as a moderate NAT again. It never switches from moderate in game, incidentally. Not once. 

The PS5 is absolutely stuck on TYPE 2 - moderate NAT. Nothing will fix it - even temporarily, only on one screen.  

I've tried Pinholes, I've tried a static address and port forwarding, I've tried DMZ (though you can only use one device with that so it's relatively narrow as fixes go) : nothing changes it. I haven't had a problem with NAT restriction for near enough a decade.

It might be worth mentioning that on switching on the XBox it takes significantly more time to connect, using a wired connection no less, for the XBox to connect through the router to the Internet. Again this problem only exists on the new router.

So my obvious question is: is this, as others suggest, a firmware issue? Or is this a problem that can't be fixed. Because honestly this is a deal breaker for me. A restricted NAT affects who you can matchmake with, how long it will take - as a result - to find a game, whether certain services work as intended. This simply isn't good enough and I'm honestly desperate for some sort of solution.

[JimM11]

@ScoundrelDaysSo Put you BT Router back on if you had no problem with that and see how it goes!

[Reign_in_Beard]

Have you got the new Hub Pro?  Because I don’t think UPnP is working properly on it. I had the same issues with you with my XBOX. Picked up a new router recently to replace it and it works fine, open NAT. I’ve never been able to get anything better than a type 2 with my PS5. Tried a static IP and port forwarding and placing it in the DMZ but no changes. I haven’t found anything online to help either.

[aviator56]

I don’t have the same specific XBox NAT issue, but do have serious problems with UpNp and port forwarding on the Smart Hub Pro - it simply isn’t working as the old BT router did.

I’ve raised the issue with EE support and a firmware update was pushed out just before Christmas, but it hasn’t fixed the issues.

The SH Pro won’t recognise UpNp requests from my security cameras that are connected to it via a switch and the “Firewall” tab in “Advanced Settings” does not contain any entries at all attributed to UpNp, it only lists the port forwarding rules I’ve created, and then it exhibits the same behaviour described earlier in this thread, it won’t resolve external domain named port URLs over WiFi from my mobile phone or laptop, it will resolve them via cellular if I turn WiFi off on the phone, it’s just bizarre!

[TommyChrist24]

I have been on the phone to them today about this issue and they have no clue about it it seems ?? very frustrating as my old full fibre white hub has ZERO issues, so may have to switch back. VERY annoying 

[JimM11]

@TommyChrist24 What are the models of the two routers that are affected in the issue?

[TommyChrist24]

Hi, so the New router they have sent me with my new broadband deal is the top right "EE Smart Hub Plus" which is the one i'm having the UPNP issue on (same has OP)

However my previous router which was the bottom left pictured (EE Smart Router) had ZERO issues with UPNP, so looks like i'm switching back for now 

[JimM11]

@TommyChrist24 Reported many times that the EE Smarthub+ Upnp does not work, have to go and fix this using direct port forwarding on the router. Wi-Fi 7 is the Pro router, and think it may also be suffering from the same issue.