PlayStation Network Not Working? 9 Fixes That Actually Work

PlayStation Network problems show up in a few annoying ways: your PS5 or PS4 will not sign in, the Store will not load, online games disconnect, or Remote Play refuses to connect. Start with the fastest checks first, because a PSN outage and a stale router session can look exactly like a console failure.

Work through the fixes below in order. You will check PSN status, test the console connection, refresh sign-in, restore licenses, update the system software, and handle Remote Play or PS Portal problems separately.

1. Check PlayStation Network Status First

Do this before changing console settings. If PlayStation Network itself has an alert, your console cannot force sign-in, Store access, online play, or web Account Management back online.

1.Open the official PlayStation Network service status page.
2.Check the service you are trying to use.
3.If PlayStation shows an alert, wait until the service is back online and try again.

This applies to PS5, PS4, PS Portal, PS Remote Play, PlayStation App, PS Store, and web Account Management.

2. Test the Console Internet Connection

Next, make the console prove it has a working internet connection.

1.On PS5, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection.
2.On PS4, go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection.

If the test fails, fix the local network before spending time on passwords, licenses, or account settings.

3. Restart the Console and Router

This is the quickest local reset for PlayStation sign-in and connection errors.

1.Turn off your PlayStation console.
2.Turn off your router or modem.
3.Wait 5 minutes.
4.Turn the router or modem back on.
5.Restart the PlayStation console and try PSN again.

Use the full 5-minute wait so the router or modem gets a clean session.

4. Reconnect Wi-Fi or Switch to LAN

If the internet test fails or keeps dropping, rebuild the connection.

On PS5, go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection, choose your Wi-Fi network, then select Connect. Enter the Wi-Fi password. If the network is missing, scroll down and choose Set Up Manually.

On PS4, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use Wi-Fi > Easy, then choose your Wi-Fi network. If the network is missing, scroll down and choose Set Up Manually.

Move the console and router closer together with no obstructions between them.
For PS Portal, move both the PS Portal and PS5 console closer to the router when they use Wi-Fi.
On PS5, use WPS from Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > Set Up Using WPS Button.
On PS4, use WPS from Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use Wi-Fi > Set Up Using WPS Button.

A wired connection is the cleaner test. On PS5, connect a LAN cable, then go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > Set Up Wired LAN > Connect. On PS4, connect a LAN cable, then go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable > Easy.

When the internet test passes but PSN still rejects sign-in, refresh the account session.

On PS5, sign out from Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Sign Out. Sign back in from Settings > Users and Accounts > Account > Sign in.
On PS4, sign out from Settings > Account Management > Sign Out. Sign back in from Settings > Account Management > Sign in.
From web Account Management, go to Security > Sign Out on All Devices when console sessions are stuck.
For password problems, reset the password from the console sign-in screen, or change it from Security > Password in account settings.
For 2-step verification problems, enter a backup code on the 2SV screen.
For passkey problems, select Can’t Sign In with Passkey, then sign in by email or QR code. To return to password sign-in, open Account Management, go to Security, disable Sign in with Passkey, then create a password.

PS3 and PS Vita sign-in works differently. In Account Management, choose Generate New Password, then enter your sign-in ID and that Device Setup Password on the PS3 or PS Vita.

If sign-in shows an error code, check PlayStation suspension guidance. Error codes WS-37368-7 and WS-116367-4 point to an account-debt suspension tied to a reversed charge or chargeback.

6. Restore Licenses for Locked Games

A padlock icon, missing purchase, failed add-on, or shared game issue can feel like a PSN failure even after sign-in works.

On PS5, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses, then select the licenses. You can also highlight the game on the home screen or in the game library, press the options button, and choose Restore License.

On PS4, go to Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses > Restore.

For shared game access, enable PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play. On PS4, go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.

7. Update System Software

1.On PS5, open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software.
2.On PS4, open Settings > System Software Update. A later update file downloads automatically.
3.If a PS5 system update is stuck, press the PS button, open Downloads/Uploads, highlight the system software update, choose View Error Info, then select Try Again.
4.If a PS4 system update is stuck, open Notifications, highlight the update file, press the OPTIONS button, choose Delete, then return to Settings > System Software Update.

When the console cannot update normally or cannot reach the home screen, use Safe Mode. Turn off the console, hold the power button until the second beep, connect the controller with USB, press the PS button, then select Update System Software.

For USB updates, use PlayStation’s official PS5 or PS4 system software page. Save the update file as PS5UPDATE.PUP in PS5 > UPDATE, or PS4UPDATE.PUP in PS4 > UPDATE, on a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive.

8. Tighten Advanced Network Settings

Use these after the status check, restart, connection test, and Wi-Fi or LAN setup.

Change DNS temporarily. On PS5, configure DNS in Network Settings. On PS4, go through Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Custom.
Set a static IP address manually from PS5 Network Settings. On PS4, use Custom setup, then enter the manual details under IP Address Settings.
Open PSN router ports. PS5 uses TCP 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480 and UDP 3478, 3479, 49152-65535. PS4 uses TCP 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480 and UDP 3478, 3479. PlayStation’s current PS4 network-error pages, such as NW-31204-0 and NP-40833-8, also list UDP 49152-65535.
Update router firmware using the router vendor’s instructions.
On PS5, change an IPv6-only router configuration to IPv4. PlayStation says PS5 supports IPv6 network connections, but not IPv6-only network connections.
On PS5 Pro CFI-7000 with a compatible Multi-Link Operation access point, highlight the access point, press the options button, open Advanced Settings, then test Multi-Link Operation on and off.

For work, school, hotel, or managed networks, ask the network administrator or ISP for the correct IP address, DHCP Host Name, DNS, MTU, proxy, firewall, and router settings.

9. Fix Remote Play and PS Portal Separately

Remote Play and PS Portal problems need their own checks after PlayStation Network status is clear.

For PS Remote Play, confirm the device is connected to the internet, restart the PS Remote Play app, restart the device, reinstall the app, confirm the same account is signed in on both the console and device, then sign out of PS Remote Play and sign back in.
Check PS Remote Play NAT Type from Settings > Information on PC, Preferences on Mac, or Settings > NAT Type on mobile.
Open UDP Port 8572 on the router or ask the ISP, router maker, or mobile carrier for help.
On Windows or Mac, disable firewall blocking for testing or add PS Remote Play to the firewall exceptions list using the antivirus vendor’s instructions.
For PS4 Remote Play sessions, lower video quality in the PS Remote Play app under Settings > Video Quality for Remote Play > Resolution (Excluding PS4 Pro), then choose 360p, 540p, or 720p.
On PS Portal, swipe left from the top right, open Troubleshoot, then choose Show Network Status. While streaming a game, use Troubleshoot > Restore Licence.
For PS Portal cloud streaming, open the quick menu, choose Max Resolution, then select 1080p for stable connections with minimum 13 Mbps or 720p for slower connections with minimum 7 Mbps. Restart the streaming game to apply the change.

PS Portal cloud streaming requires the latest PS Portal system software, an active PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, a supported region, and an adult account. Cloud streaming is not available for child accounts.

Do not use old fixes that tell you to reinstall the standalone PlayStation Messages app. PlayStation Messages was integrated with PlayStation App and is no longer available separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my PlayStation Network not working when my internet works?

PSN service status, account sessions, licenses, suspensions, parental controls, DNS, router ports, Remote Play, and PS Portal streaming settings can all affect PlayStation services while the rest of your internet still works.

What should I do first when PSN will not connect?

Check the official PlayStation Network service status page first. If there are no alerts, restart the console and router or modem, wait 5 minutes, then run the console internet connection test.

Why can I sign in but some PlayStation games are locked?

Locked games point to licenses or sharing access. Restore licenses on the console, then check PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play or activate the PS4 as your primary PS4.

Can parental controls block PlayStation Network features?

Yes. Parental controls can restrict messages, voice chat, user-generated content, and some linked third-party services. A family manager can change those settings from Account Management, the console, or the PlayStation Family app.