Keeping your PS5 Pro on the latest system software ensures you get the full benefit of its performance features, including PSSR upscaling and the PSSR 2 enhancements that rolled out in March 2026. The console checks for updates automatically when it's connected to the internet and left in rest mode. But if you've been offline, turned off automatic updates, or just want to force a check right now, the manual process is straightforward.
Current firmware is version 26.03-13.20.00 as of April 2026. Updates typically download and install in 5-15 minutes depending on your connection speed and the patch size. Here’s how to do it, plus what to do if something goes wrong.
Check What Firmware You’re Running
Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update & Settings. The current installed version is listed right at the top. If you’re more than a minor version behind, you’re missing out on recent PSSR improvements and stability fixes that reduce ray-tracing crashes in some titles.
Knowing your version also helps if you hit an issue during the update itself. If the number matches the latest (check Sony’s support page for the current build), you’re already up to date.
Update Over WiFi or Ethernet
The PS5 Pro supports both WiFi 7 (for routers that support it) and a standard gigabit ethernet port on the back. If you have a wired connection, plug a Cat5e or Cat6 cable directly from the console to your router. The console auto-detects the wired connection and prioritizes it over WiFi.
Head to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update & Settings, then select Update System Software. The console will check for any available patches. If one is found, you’ll see the version number and a download progress bar.
During the download you can keep playing games or watching media, though performance may dip slightly. Once the download finishes, the console will ask if you want to install it now. Choose Update and the PS5 Pro restarts and applies the patch. The whole process rarely takes more than ten minutes with a decent connection.
Turn On Automatic Downloads
To avoid manually checking every time, enable automatic updates. Open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update & Settings. Make sure Download Update Files and Install Update Files are both checked. The console will then download new firmware in rest mode and prompt you to install the next time you turn it on.
You also want to enable Stay Connected to the Internet under Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode. Without that, the console can’t check for updates while sleeping.
Free Up Storage If an Update Fails
System updates need scratch space on the internal SSD, usually 5-10GB free. If your storage is nearly full, the update may fail with a generic error or just hang at a certain percentage. The PS5 Pro has an 825GB NVMe SSD, but with modern game sizes that fills up fast.
Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage and review your installed games. You can delete titles you no longer play or move them to a compatible USB drive (your saved data stays on the console). Aim for at least 20GB free before retrying the update.
Fix a Stuck or Slow Update
If the update download stalls or the progress bar stops moving, first try a full power cycle. Hold the power button on the front of the console until you hear a second beep (about 7-10 seconds). That performs a soft reset, clearing temporary glitches without losing any data.
Power back on and go straight to the update screen again. The console should resume from where it left off. If it still hangs, restart your router: unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait 2-3 minutes for the network to fully come back. ISP-side routing issues are surprisingly common and a router reboot fixes them most of the time.
Reset Network Settings If the Update Won’t Connect
If the console says it can’t connect to the update server, stale DNS entries may be the culprit. Go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection. Select your current network and choose Advanced Settings. Change DNS Settings to Manual.
Enter Cloudflare’s DNS (1.1.1.1 for Primary, 1.0.0.1 for Secondary) or Google’s (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). Save and re-run the update check. Sony’s update servers can occasionally have latency spikes during peak hours, and a public DNS sidesteps your ISP’s default resolvers that may be slow or misrouted.
Update in Safe Mode (If Nothing Else Works)
If the console boots normally but the standard update path keeps failing, you can try updating through Safe Mode. Power off the PS5 Pro completely (hold the power button until the console beeps once to shut down). Then press and hold the power button again until you hear a second beep, which puts the console into Safe Mode.
Connect your DualSense controller via USB cable to the console and press the PS button. In Safe Mode, choose Update System Software. Safe Mode pulls a fresh copy of the update from Sony’s servers, bypassing any corruption in the standard update process. It won’t delete your games or saves unless you specifically choose the factory reset option later in that menu.
