How to Fix a PS5 That Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi

A PS5 that will not connect to Wi-Fi, or says it is connected but cannot reach the internet, is usually fixed by restarting the network gear or by changing one setting. The console’s built-in connection test tells you which step fails, so start there.

What causes PS5 Wi-Fi problems

• A router or modem that needs a restart.
• A weak signal because the console is far from the router.
• Wrong Wi-Fi password or a changed network.
• A slow or unreliable DNS server.
• PlayStation Network having its own outage.
• Old system software on the console.

1. Check whether other devices are online

Test a phone or laptop on the same Wi-Fi. If they cannot get online either, restart the router and modem: unplug for about 30 seconds, plug back in and wait a few minutes. If they work, the problem is the PS5, so continue.

2. Fully restart the PS5

Press the PS button, choose Power > Turn Off PS5 rather than Rest Mode, wait for the light to go out, unplug the power for about a minute and start it again. Rest Mode does not fully clear temporary faults.

3. Run the connection test

Open Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. The test checks that the PS5 gets an IP address, reaches the internet and signs in to PlayStation Network. Note which line fails, because it points to the cause: a failed first line means the router link, a failed second means the connection or DNS, and a failed third means PlayStation Network.

4. Set up the connection again

Go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection, select your network, and enter the password again. If the network is already saved, choose the gear icon next to it and delete the saved connection first.

5. Change the DNS servers

In Set Up Internet Connection, choose the gear icon next to your network, then Advanced Settings. Set DNS Settings to Manual and enter a public resolver, for example 8.8.8.8 as primary and 8.8.4.4 as secondary (Google), or 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare). Select Done and run the connection test again.

6. Improve the signal

1. Move the console or router closer, and clear obstacles between them.
2. Connect to the 5 GHz network if the console is close to the router. Use 2.4 GHz when it is far away.
3. Use an Ethernet cable if you can. A wired connection is the most stable for online play.

If your Wi-Fi drops often on every device, read how to fix Wi-Fi that keeps disconnecting.

7. Check PlayStation Network status

If the first two lines of the test pass but sign-in fails, PlayStation Network may be having problems. Check the official PlayStation service status page for outages and wait for them to clear.

8. Update the system software

Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings and install any update. If you cannot get online to download it, download the update on a computer and install it from a USB drive, following PlayStation’s own instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my PS5 say connected but I cannot play online?

The console reached the router but not the internet or PlayStation Network. Test other devices, then try the DNS change in step 5 and check the service status.

Is a wired connection better than Wi-Fi for the PS5?

Yes, usually. A cable is more stable and has less delay, which matters for online games and large downloads.

Will changing the DNS affect my saved games?

No. DNS only affects how the console finds servers.

When to contact support

If every device in the house is offline, contact your internet provider. If only the PS5 fails on every network after these steps, contact PlayStation Support. More network checks are in our Wi-Fi and internet overview.