Short answer: use a wired connection where you can. PlayStation’s troubleshooting for a network time-out starts with connecting over a cable “as much as possible”. On a Nintendo Switch, run the built-in connection test and check the NAT type it reports. For PS5’s advanced settings, such as DNS, MTU and proxy, PlayStation says to ask your ISP or network administrator if you aren’t familiar with them.

How NAT itself works is covered in NAT types explained; for lag in general, see how to reduce ping.

Know what your NAT result means

  • Nintendo Switch: go to System Settings > Internet > Test Connection. The result includes a NAT type from A (best for peer-to-peer play) to F (unable to complete peer-to-peer connections). Nintendo says type A generally works well and B is compatible with most other types; C may struggle with more restrictive types, D can connect only to type A players, and F makes connecting with other players impossible.
  • Xbox: Microsoft’s developer documentation defines the three NAT results: Open can connect with any console, Moderate only with Moderate or Open consoles, and Strict only with Open ones.

On a Switch, the connection test is the easiest way to see whether a change helped: run it before and after.

Go wired where the console allows it

For a PS5 network time-out, PlayStation’s support page says to use a wired connection as much as possible; if you stay on Wi-Fi, it says to move the console closer to the router or clear whatever sits between them.

Nintendo says lag usually comes from slow internet, a weak wireless signal, heavy wireless interference or slow network devices. It also notes that a Switch 2 must be docked to use a wired connection, and recommends setting up Wi-Fi as well so the console still works away from the dock.

No cable run to the console? Wired connection options compares the ways to get a wired link there.

PS5: what PlayStation says to change, and when

PS5’s Advanced Settings list IP address, DHCP host name, DNS, MTU, proxy and Multi Linking Operation. PlayStation’s own advice is to ask your ISP or network administrator if you aren’t familiar with them.

Its troubleshooting for error NW-102417-5 goes further. If possible, open TCP ports 80, 443 and 3478-3480 and UDP ports 3478, 3479 and 49152-65535; set a static IP address manually; and try changing DNS temporarily. PlayStation sends port and router questions to your ISP. These are steps for that one error, and PlayStation frames the ports as “if possible”: they aren’t general tuning. The PS5’s connection settings are under Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection. Our guides to port forwarding, DHCP reservation and changing your DNS server cover the router side.

One router setting matters here: PlayStation says PS5 supports IPv6 but not IPv6-only connections, so a router set to IPv6-only should be switched to use IPv4.

Nintendo Switch: what Nintendo suggests

For matchmaking errors, Nintendo suggests trying with IPv6 Connection turned off. The setting is under System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings: choose your network, select Change Settings, then IPv6 Connection. On a wired connection, it also suggests connecting directly to the modem to rule out other network devices, and trying a different Ethernet cable.