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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If your PS4 is downloading or uploading slowly, start with Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection, record the results, and compare Wi-Fi with a direct LAN connection. That evidence shows whether the bottleneck is wireless signal quality, your home network, the ISP, or a temporary PlayStation service issue.
If your PS4 is downloading or uploading slowly, first run Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection, record the download and upload results, and repeat the test after each change. Then compare Wi-Fi with a direct Ethernet connection. That comparison usually reveals whether the problem is your PS4’s wireless path, your home network, your internet connection, or a temporary PlayStation service issue.
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Do not begin by changing DNS or MTU settings, buying a gaming router, or assuming that a faster internet plan will fix the problem. Work through the checks below in order.
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1. Run the PS4 connection test
- Open Settings.
- Select Network.
- Select Test Internet Connection.
- Write down the reported download speed and upload speed.
Run the test again after switching from Wi-Fi to LAN, restarting the router, stopping other network activity, or moving the console. A single result is less useful than a before-and-after comparison.
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The PS4’s result is a diagnostic snapshot, not a guarantee of the speed you will receive from every game server or from PlayStation Network. Download rates can vary because of server load, network congestion, and the particular game or update being downloaded. Conversely, if the PS4 consistently reports poor speeds, the result is important evidence that something is wrong somewhere between the console and the internet.
2. Check PlayStation Network service status
Check the official PlayStation Network service status page while the problem is happening. An incident or maintenance window can affect downloads, the Store, games, apps, or other network features.
Service status is time-sensitive. A previous outage or an old search result does not prove that PlayStation Network is currently having problems. If the status page shows an incident, wait for service to recover before changing settings or replacing equipment.
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3. Test the PS4 with a wired LAN connection
A wired test is the most useful way to separate a Wi-Fi problem from a broader internet or PlayStation problem.
- Connect the PS4 directly to the router with an Ethernet/LAN cable.
- On the PS4, open Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
- Select Use a LAN Cable.
- Select Easy.
- Run Test Internet Connection again.
If the wired result is much faster or more stable than Wi-Fi, the wireless connection is the leading suspect. Distance, walls, furniture, metal objects, radio interference, and router placement can all weaken the path between the PS4 and router.
If wired and wireless speeds are both poor, buying a cable may still help confirm the diagnosis, but it is unlikely to be the complete solution. Continue with the router, bandwidth, ISP, and service-status checks below.
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4. Improve Wi-Fi if Ethernet is not practical
When the PS4 must remain wireless, improve the local signal before changing advanced settings:
- Move the PS4 and router closer together.
- Reduce the number of walls and other obstructions between them.
- Keep the router away from large metal objects and enclosed furniture.
- Avoid placing the console where the router’s signal is blocked by a television cabinet or other equipment.
- Retest from the console’s normal position after each meaningful change.
If the console is far from the router and relocation or Ethernet is impossible, a Wi-Fi range extender or mesh Wi-Fi system may help. Neither is an automatic speed upgrade: an extender can inherit a weak signal, and a mesh system’s performance depends on node placement, the backhaul connection, the router, and the layout of the home. Treat this as a situational network upgrade, not the first fix.
5. Restart the router and modem correctly
Temporarily power off the router, and the modem as well if you use a separate modem. Leave the equipment off for at least five minutes, then power it back on and wait for the internet connection to return. Run the PS4 test again.
Also check the router manufacturer’s support information for firmware updates. Router firmware can affect stability and wireless performance, but follow the manufacturer’s update procedure carefully and do not interrupt an update.
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Pause large downloads and uploads on phones, computers, televisions, tablets, and other consoles. In particular, stop:
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- cloud backups and photo synchronization;
- 4K or high-bitrate video streams;
- game downloads and updates on other consoles or PCs;
- large file transfers;
- other live-streaming or video-call activity.
Then run the PS4 connection test again. If the result improves substantially, the PS4 may not be defective; your connection was being shared or saturated. Upload traffic can be especially disruptive to interactive features when another device is backing up files or sending video.
7. Diagnose slow uploads and Share Play separately
Slow upload speed matters more for activities that send data from the PS4 than for a normal game download. It can affect Share Play, broadcasting, cloud saves, and other online features, although the exact impact depends on the service.
For Share Play, Sony specifies a 2 Mbps high-speed connection for the best experience and identifies upload speed below 2 Mbps as the cause of error NP-38496-0. Treat 2 Mbps as a Share Play-specific troubleshooting threshold—not as a universal minimum for every PS4 download or multiplayer game.
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- Run the PS4 connection test and examine the upload result.
- Stop other uploads and streams in the home.
- Try a wired LAN connection.
- Restart the router.
- If necessary, reduce Share Play video quality to Standard.
If both download and upload are consistently low on wired and wireless connections, compare the result with the speed supplied by your internet provider. Contact the ISP if the PS4 and other devices are also substantially below the service you pay for. If only PlayStation downloads are slow while general internet performance is normal, PlayStation service load or the particular download server may be involved.
8. Use Rest Mode to keep downloads running
Rest Mode does not increase the underlying network speed, but it can allow an existing download or upload to continue while the console is idle.
Enable the required option at:
Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode > Stay Connected to the Internet
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- 40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 ethernet cable support max. 40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
After enabling it, put the PS4 into Rest Mode rather than fully powering it off. This is a convenience setting, not a speed fix. If the connection itself is slow, Rest Mode will generally keep the transfer running at that same limited rate.
9. If only a system-software update is stuck
A stuck PS4 system update should not automatically be treated as ordinary slow internet. Sony recommends keeping the console system software updated, and its update-specific recovery steps are more appropriate than repeatedly changing network settings.
For a failed or stuck download, check Notifications, select the system-software download, delete the update file, and retry the download. If repeated attempts fail, use Sony’s official PS4 system software update procedure, including the USB method where applicable.
Do not jump straight to system-software reinstallation as a routine speed remedy. Reinstallation is a more destructive procedure that deletes console data; reserve it for situations where Sony’s recovery instructions specifically call for it and make sure important data is backed up first.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Avoid premature DNS, MTU, and proxy changes
PS4 custom network setup exposes settings for IP address configuration, DNS, MTU, and proxy servers. Those options can be useful for a specific network problem, but changing them without knowing why can make the connection harder to diagnose or break it altogether.
Do not promise that a different DNS provider will increase PS4 download throughput. DNS helps resolve names; it does not create extra capacity in your internet plan or guarantee a faster PlayStation download server. Likewise, there is no universal MTU value that fixes slow downloads for every home network.
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Leave advanced settings at their normal automatic values unless your ISP, network administrator, router documentation, or a specific Sony troubleshooting procedure gives you a reason to change them. First complete the basic comparison: PS4 connection test, service status, wired versus Wi-Fi, router restart, and competing bandwidth.
PS4 slow-speed decision tree
| What you observe | Most likely direction | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Wired speed is much faster than Wi-Fi | Weak or interfered wireless connection | Use Ethernet where practical; otherwise improve router placement and consider networking equipment only if the distance requires it. |
| Wired and wireless are both slow | Bandwidth competition, router/ISP trouble, or a service-side issue | Stop other traffic, restart and check the router, compare another device, check PlayStation status, and contact the ISP if appropriate. |
| Only Share Play upload fails | Insufficient upload capacity or congestion | Compare the upload result with Sony’s 2 Mbps Share Play guidance, stop other uploads, use LAN, and try Standard video quality. |
| Only a system update is stuck | Update-download or system-software problem | Delete the failed update from Notifications and retry; use Sony’s official USB update process if repeated attempts fail. |
| The test reports weak Wi-Fi or times out | Wireless signal, obstruction, router, or local network problem | Reduce distance and obstructions, restart the router, and test a wired connection before changing advanced settings. |
What not to buy or change first
- A Cat6 cable is not a guaranteed speed booster. It is valuable because it establishes a stable wired comparison and removes Wi-Fi variables.
- A gaming router is not automatically necessary. Test the current router, check firmware, and compare wired and wireless results first.
- A mesh system or extender is not a universal fix. It is relevant mainly when the console is distant from the router and a direct cable is impractical.
- A faster ISP plan may not fix PlayStation-only slowness. Confirm whether other devices and the wired PS4 test are also slow before upgrading service.
- DNS and MTU tweaks are not default speed optimizations. Change them only for a specific, understood networking reason.
When to contact support
Contact your ISP when wired and wireless tests are consistently slow across the home, the router cannot maintain a normal connection, or other devices also perform below the expected service level. Contact PlayStation support when the home connection is healthy but a specific PlayStation feature, update, or service remains broken after checking the live status page and completing the relevant Sony recovery steps.
Before contacting either party, note the PS4 test results, whether the test was wired or wireless, the time of each test, the error code or affected feature, and whether other devices were using the connection. That information makes it easier to identify whether the failure is local, ISP-related, or service-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I test my PS4 internet speed?
Open Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection and record the download and upload results. Then connect the console directly to the router with an Ethernet cable through Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable > Easy, and test again. A much better wired result points to Wi-Fi; poor results on both connections point to bandwidth, router, ISP, or service-status problems.
Does PS4 Rest Mode make downloads faster?
Yes, but only as a convenience. Enable Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode > Stay Connected to the Internet. Rest Mode can let downloads continue while the PS4 is idle, but it does not increase the connection’s underlying throughput.
What upload speed does PS4 Share Play need?
For Share Play, Sony identifies upload speed below 2 Mbps as the cause of error NP-38496-0 and recommends a 2 Mbps high-speed connection for the best experience. This is a Share Play-specific guideline, not a universal minimum for all PS4 downloads or online games.
Will changing DNS or MTU make my PS4 download faster?
No. DNS and MTU changes can be relevant to a specific network problem, but they do not guarantee faster PS4 downloads. First test wired versus wireless, stop other bandwidth-heavy activity, restart the router, check its firmware, and review PlayStation Network status.
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The fastest reliable diagnosis is a wired-versus-Wi-Fi comparison. Run the PS4 connection test, check PlayStation Network status, connect by LAN, stop competing traffic, and restart the router before touching DNS or MTU settings. If only Wi-Fi is slow, improve the local wireless path; if both connections are slow, investigate the router, ISP, bandwidth use, or a PlayStation service incident.
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