Yes, your PS5 connects to the internet and lets you play online games, download updates, and stream video apps
The PS5 has built-in Wi-Fi and an ethernet port, so you can connect to the internet wirelessly or with a cable. Once connected, you can play multiplayer games online, download new games and patches, use streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+, and browse the web through the console's browser. You don't need a separate device — the connection happens through your home network.
The type of internet connection you use affects your experience. A wired ethernet connection is faster and more stable for online gaming. Wi-Fi is convenient but can have lag if you're far from your router or if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Most people can play online games on Wi-Fi without problems, but competitive games benefit from the lower latency of a wired connection.
Key Takeaways
- Your PS5 connects to Wi-Fi or ethernet and needs an active internet connection to play online games and download updates.
- A wired ethernet connection is faster and more reliable for gaming than Wi-Fi, especially for competitive online play.
- You need a PlayStation Network account to play online multiplayer, but watching streaming apps and browsing the web do not require a paid subscription.
- Your PS5 automatically downloads system updates and game patches when connected to the internet, which can take several hours depending on file size.
- Parental controls let you restrict which websites your PS5 can visit and what content can be downloaded.
How to connect your PS5 to Wi-Fi or ethernet
To connect via Wi-Fi, go to Settings on your PS5 home screen, select Network, then Set Up Internet Connection. Choose Wi-Fi, select your network name from the list, and enter your password. The PS5 will test the connection and show you your signal strength. If you have a weak signal, move your router closer to the console or use an ethernet cable instead.
For an ethernet connection, plug a network cable directly into the ethernet port on the back of your PS5. Go to Settings, Network, Set Up Internet Connection, and choose Use a LAN Cable. The PS5 will detect the connection automatically. Ethernet is the better choice if your router is far away, if you live in an apartment with many Wi-Fi networks nearby, or if you play competitive online games where speed matters.
After you connect, the PS5 tests your internet speed and shows you the results. You don't need a specific speed to use the console, but Sony recommends at least 5 Mbps for online gaming and 35 Mbps if you want to download games quickly. If your speed is much lower than that, contact your internet provider or try moving closer to your router.
What you can do with an internet connection on PS5
Online multiplayer games are the main reason most people connect their PS5 to the internet. Games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and NBA 2K all require an active connection to play against other people. You do not need a paid PlayStation Plus subscription to download or play these games — you only need PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium to play online multiplayer. Single-player games work without any subscription.
Game and system updates download automatically when your PS5 is connected. These updates can be large — sometimes several gigabytes — and take hours to finish. You can check the status in your notifications or in Settings under System Software. If an update is in progress, you can still play offline games, but online features will not work until the update completes.
Streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Hulu all work through your internet connection. You log in with your account on each app, and the PS5 remembers your login. The web browser on PS5 lets you visit websites, though it is slower and less convenient than using a phone or computer. Some websites do not work well on the PS5 browser because it does not support all the features that modern websites use.
Understanding PlayStation Network and online subscriptions
A PlayStation Network account is free and required to use most features on your PS5. You create one during setup with an email address and password. This account stores your game library, your friends list, your trophies, and your save files in the cloud.
PlayStation Plus is a paid subscription that gives you online multiplayer access and monthly free games. There are three tiers: PlayStation Plus Essential ($9.99 per month or $99.99 per year), PlayStation Plus Extra ($14.99 per month or $149.99 per year), and PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99 per month or $179.99 per year). Essential is what you need for online multiplayer. Extra and Premium add access to a library of hundreds of games and cloud saves for older PlayStation consoles. You can try PlayStation Plus for free for seven days.
If you do not have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can still download games, use streaming apps, and browse the web. You just cannot play online multiplayer. Single-player games and offline features work without any subscription at all.
How to manage your internet connection and data usage
Your PS5 stores information about your network connection in Settings under Network. You can see your IP address, your connection speed, and whether you are using Wi-Fi or ethernet. If you want to forget a Wi-Fi network — for example, if you move to a new house — go to Settings, Network, Wi-Fi, and select the network name, then choose Forget.
The PS5 does not show you how much data you are using, but downloads and streaming can use a lot of bandwidth. If you have a data cap from your internet provider, large game downloads and video streaming will count toward that limit. A typical game download can be 50 to 150 gigabytes. You can pause downloads and resume them later by going to your notifications or the Downloads section in your library.
If you share your PS5 with other people in your household, each person can have their own account. You can set up parental controls to restrict what content each account can download and which websites it can visit. Go to Settings, Family and Parental Controls, and select the account you want to restrict. You can set age ratings for games and apps, block specific websites, and require a PIN to change settings.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If your PS5 will not connect to Wi-Fi, first check that your router is on and that other devices can connect to it. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. On your PS5, go to Settings, Network, Set Up Internet Connection, and try connecting again. If that does not work, try forgetting the network and reconnecting with your password.
If your connection is slow or keeps dropping, move your PS5 closer to your router or use an ethernet cable. Wi-Fi can be affected by walls, metal objects, and other electronics like microwaves and cordless phones. If you are far from your router, an ethernet cable is the most reliable fix. You can also check if other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth — streaming video on another device while you play online games can cause lag.
If you see an error code when trying to connect, write down the code and search for it on the PlayStation Support website. Error codes like NW-31456-4 or CE-33987-0 have specific causes and fixes. Common solutions include restarting your console, checking your router settings, or contacting your internet provider if the problem is with your connection itself.
Privacy and security when your PS5 is online
Your PS5 sends data to Sony when you are connected to the internet, including your account information, what games you play, and your activity on the PlayStation Network. You can see what data Sony collects in Settings under Users and Accounts, Privacy, and then view the privacy policy. You can also turn off certain features like activity tracking or letting your friends see what you are playing.
When you use the web browser on your PS5, websites can see your location based on your IP address, just like on any device. If you do not want websites to know your location, you can disable location services in Settings under Network. You should also be careful about logging into personal accounts — like email or banking — on the PS5 browser, because the browser does not have all the security features of a modern web browser on a computer or phone.
If you play online multiplayer games, other players can see your account name and may be able to send you messages. You can block players and turn off messages from people who are not on your friends list. Go to Settings, Users and Accounts, Privacy, and then adjust your messaging settings. You can also report players who harass you or use offensive language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need internet to play single-player games on PS5?
No. Single-player games work without an internet connection. You only need internet to download the game initially, to receive updates, and to play online multiplayer. Once a game is downloaded, you can play the single-player campaign offline.
What happens if my internet goes out while I'm playing online?
You will be disconnected from the game and returned to the home screen. Most games let you rejoin if you reconnect quickly, but you may lose progress since your last save. For this reason, many online games save your progress to the cloud automatically.
Can I use my phone's hotspot to connect my PS5 to the internet?
Yes, you can connect to your phone's Wi-Fi hotspot the same way you would connect to any other Wi-Fi network. However, this uses your phone's data plan, and online gaming uses a lot of data. Most phone plans have monthly data limits, so this is not a good long-term solution for regular gaming.
Is it safe to use the PS5 web browser for shopping or banking?
The PS5 browser does not have the same security features as modern web browsers on computers or phones. It is safer to do banking and shopping on a dedicated device. If you must use the PS5 browser, make sure you are on a secure website (look for "https" in the address) and never save passwords on the console.
How do I know if my internet is fast enough for online gaming?
Go to Settings, Network, and select Test Internet Connection. The PS5 will show your download speed and upload speed. For online gaming, 5 Mbps download is usually enough, but 10 to 25 Mbps is better. If your speed is lower than 5 Mbps, you may experience lag or disconnections during online play.