How to fix PS5 WiFi problems

If you connect your PS5 to the network via WiFi, this article will show you what to do if you suddenly can't get online or have poor network performance. Although the article focuses on WiFi, many of these tips will also help you troubleshoot Internet problems if you're using Ethernet for connectivity.

1. Check other devices

When your PS5 starts having network problems, you should first check other computers, phones, and consoles on your home network. If your Internet problems are affecting everything, follow TipsMake's instructions for diagnosing Internet problems at home. The steps in that guide should fix all your problems, including WiFi problems on PS5. Internet problems throughout the house don't originate with your PlayStation.

Assuming the problem only occurs with your PlayStation 5 and everything else is working fine, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

2. Restart your PS5 and network device

You may know that restarting all affected devices is an important first step in the troubleshooting process. Restarting can resolve minor issues, so it's a good idea to do this first so you don't waste time on more in-depth steps for no reason.

First, you should completely reboot your PS5. To do this, tap the PlayStation button on your controller to open a quick menu at the bottom of the screen. Scroll to the right side, select Power > Restart PS5 . This will completely turn your PS5 off, then turn it back on.

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Alternatively, you can use the physical power button on the front of the PS5 to turn it off:

1. On the original standard PS5 model, the Power button was closer to the bottom of the console.
2. On the original PS5 Digital Edition there was no Eject button due to the lack of a disc drive, so the Power button was the only button.
3. The same goes for the PS5 Slim, as the Eject button is located below the drive on that model.

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Regardless of your model, press and hold the Power button on your PS5. When you hear one beep, keep holding it until you hear a second beep and then release. This will completely turn off your PS5 and turn off its top light. If you see an orange light, your PS5 is in rest mode and hasn't turned off completely - turn it on and try again.

If restarting the PS5 doesn't fix the problem, restart the router and modem. Some models have a physical power switch that you can turn off; If your device doesn't have one, unplug it for a minute or two then plug it back in. Try bringing your PS5 back online once everything is reconnected.

3. Confirm your WiFi network details

If you're still not able to connect your PS5 to WiFi, you should next make sure you've entered the correct network credentials. It's possible you entered the wrong password, or someone with access to the network recently changed it.

To re-enter your network details, select Settings from the top right of the PS5 main menu, then go to Network > Settings . Make sure you have Connect to the Internet turned on , then select Set Up Internet Connection .

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In the Networks found list , select your WiFi connection and enter the network's WiFi password. Make sure to select the correct network, especially if there are similarly named options in the list.

Make sure you type the password correctly. If it still doesn't connect and someone else manages the network in your home, ask if they've recently set a new password.

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Once connected, if you want to change other parameters for the connection, press the Options button with your WiFi connection highlighted under Registered networks and select Advanced Settings . Most of these are unrelated but as an additional troubleshooting step, you can try using an alternative DNS server for your PS5 in DNS Settings .

4. Run the PlayStation 5 network test

The PS5 includes a built-in test that attempts to get online and connect to the PlayStation Network (PSN), then tells you the results. If you're still not sure why your PS5 isn't online, you should run this app.

To perform a network test, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status . Select Test Internet Connection here to run a new test.

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Here's what the steps in this test mean:

1. Get IP address : If this is successful, your PS5 has connected to the router and received an IP address successfully.
2. Internet connection : This is successful if your console can get online.
3. Sign in to PlayStation Network : This final step ensures you can connect to PSN to enjoy online games and other services.
4. Connection speed : This should be within the speed range you get from your ISP. If they are extremely low then your system has a weak WiFi signal or there is a lot of other activity on your network.

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If your PS5 is online but not connected to PSN, or you're only having problems with a certain game, you may need to forward ports on your router so your console can access PSN services. This can happen if your system is connected to a corporate network, such as at a university. You may need to talk to your network administrator if you want to connect at your university.

If either of the remaining two checks fail, take a look at the general network troubleshooting guide linked earlier. It's also possible that your router has enabled a setting, such as MAC filtering, that is blocking the PS5 from connecting. Try logging into your router's management interface and make sure you don't have parental controls or similar restrictions enabled.

After performing the network test, you may also want to take a look at the PS5 connection wizard on Sony's PlayStation Repairs page. Select your console and issue from the initial screen, it will then walk you through some troubleshooting steps to hopefully resolve it. Most of these tips are the same as those mentioned here, but trying out Sony's tool might help you catch something you've missed.

5. Move the PlayStation closer to the router

Wireless technologies like WiFi are susceptible to interference and only cover a certain distance before their signal degrades. To check the strength of your PS5's WiFi connection to the router, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status > View Connection Status and look for the Signal strength field . If it is below 80% or more, you should take steps to improve this score.

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If possible, move the PS5 closer to your router. Avoid placing the device near common sources of interference, such as microwaves or baby monitors. And remember that thick surfaces like concrete block a lot of wireless signals.

For more detailed help, see TipsMake's guide to improving router speed.

6. Stop other network activities and review your Internet package

Your home network only has limited bandwidth, so if there are a lot of other heavy activities going on, the PS5's network performance will suffer. Prevent any other devices in your home from downloading or uploading large files, streaming 4K video, torrenting or similar. This will free up bandwidth for your PS5 to perform at its best.

In case nothing else is happening on the network and your PS5 still has poor network performance, the Internet package may not be enough for your needs. Try testing your home Internet speed to find out if you need to upgrade to a faster plan that supports everything you want to do at once.

And remember that even with a strong Internet package, lousy network equipment will act as a bottleneck. You may need to consider purchasing a new router and/or modem. If it's been years since you upgraded to a device that supports modern standards, you'll be surprised how much this can help in terms of speed and reliability.

7. Check PSN and ISP for outages

At this point, you've eliminated most minor issues and improved your PS5's connection to your network. Now you should check if the problem lies somewhere else - although this is rare, PSN can stop working.

Go to the PSN Service Status page on any device to view. If something goes wrong, you'll see a notification about it here.

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You should also check your ISP for outages. If you still can't get online properly, use mobile data on your phone. You can then log into your account with your ISP and check its status page for problems in your area, or try a site like Downdetector to check for recent reports of problems . You can contact your ISP and let them know about the problem, but you'll probably end up talking to an automated assistant.

In case something goes wrong from the other side, there's not much you can do other than wait for Sony or your ISP to fix the problem.

8. Connect using an Ethernet cable

Here, we focus on ways to fix PS5 WiFi problems, but it's worth mentioning that you can get around the hassles of wireless connectivity by using an Ethernet cable instead. With a wired connection for PS5, you'll enjoy faster speeds and a more reliable connection.

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Whether or not you can connect your PS5 to your router using an Ethernet cable depends on your home setup. In some cases, you can buy a long cable and run it along the edges of a room in your house. If this isn't feasible, consider setting up a powerline adapter to run a pseudo-Ethernet network over your home's power lines.

WiFi is convenient, but that's its only real benefit over a wired connection. If possible, connecting your PS5 to your network will avoid many of the instability issues that WiFi can cause.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 09 April 2024