Start with the basics: test your actual speed first

Before you change anything, you need to know whether the problem is your PS5, your internet connection, or something in between. Go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection on your PS5. Write down the read speed it reports — most games need at least 5 to 10 Mbps to run without lag, and 35 Mbps or higher if multiple people in your house are using the internet at the same time.

Then test your internet speed on another device — a phone, laptop, or tablet connected to the same WiFi. Use speedtest.net or fast.com. If that device shows significantly faster speeds than your PS5 reported, the problem is your PS5's connection to your router, not your internet service itself. If both devices show slow speeds, the problem is upstream: either your internet plan, your router, or something between your router and your internet provider's equipment.

Write down both numbers. You will need them to figure out what to fix next.

Key Takeaways

  • Test your PS5's speed in Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection, then compare it to a speed test on your phone or laptop to find whether the problem is your PS5 or your internet.
  • Move your PS5 closer to your router or switch from WiFi to a wired ethernet connection, which almost always fixes lag and disconnects caused by weak signal.
  • Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in — this clears temporary problems that slow down all your devices.
  • If your internet speed is genuinely slow on all devices, contact your internet provider to check whether you are getting the speed you pay for.
  • PS5 downloads are slow because the console prioritizes online play; pause downloads before gaming or read during off-peak hours.

Switch to a wired connection if you can

WiFi is convenient but it is slower and less stable than a cable. If your PS5 is within 50 feet of your router, run an ethernet cable from your router directly to the PS5's ethernet port on the back. This single change fixes lag, disconnects, and slow downloads for most people.

If you cannot run a cable through your house, a powerline adapter is the next best thing. Plug one adapter into an outlet near your router and connect it to your router with ethernet. Plug the second adapter into an outlet near your PS5 and connect it to the PS5 with ethernet. The adapters send the signal through your house's electrical wiring. They are not as fast as a direct cable but they are much faster and more stable than WiFi.

If ethernet is truly impossible, move your PS5 as close to your router as you can. Every wall between the PS5 and router weakens the signal. Concrete, metal, and water (like a fish tank or radiator) block WiFi more than drywall does.

Restart your router and PS5

Routers accumulate temporary problems over time — memory leaks, stuck connections, interference from other devices. Unplugging your router for 30 seconds clears all of that. Unplug the power cable, count to 30, plug it back in, and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. Then test your PS5's speed again.

While you are at it, restart your PS5 too. Hold the power button on the front for 10 seconds until the console beeps and shuts down completely. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again. This clears the PS5's memory and often fixes temporary slowdowns.

Restart your router at least once a month even if you are not having problems. It keeps everything running smoothly.

Check what else is using your internet

If someone in your house is streaming video, downloading files, or video calling while you are gaming, they are using bandwidth that your PS5 needs. Ask them to pause or switch to a wired connection if they have one. If you live alone, check whether your phone, laptop, or other devices have automatic updates running in the background — they often read silently and slow everything down.

On your PS5, go to Settings > Network > View Connection Status to see your current read and upload speeds while you are gaming. If the speeds drop when you start a game, something else on your network is competing for bandwidth. If the speeds stay the same but the game still lags, the problem is not your internet — it is the game server or your PS5's processing power.

If you have a 2.4 GHz WiFi network and a 5 GHz network available (your router broadcasts both), connect your PS5 to the 5 GHz network. It is faster over short distances, though it does not travel through walls as well. Check your router's label or manual to find the 5 GHz network name.

Contact your internet provider if speeds are slow everywhere

If your phone, laptop, and PS5 all show slow speeds, your internet plan itself is the problem. Call your internet provider and tell them your actual speed from the speedtest.net result. Ask whether you are getting the speed you pay for. If you are paying for 100 Mbps and consistently getting 40 Mbps, something is wrong on their end — a loose cable, a problem with the line to your house, or an overloaded neighborhood network.

Ask them to check your line and modem. If they find a problem, they will usually fix it for free. If they do not find a problem and you are still getting less than 80 percent of your advertised speed, you may be able to switch to a different plan or provider. Check what is available in your area on broadbandmap.fcc.gov.

Do not accept "that is just how WiFi is" as an answer. If your wired speed is slow, the problem is not WiFi — it is your internet connection itself.

PS5 downloads are slow by design

If your internet speed is fine but PS5 downloads are crawling, that is because the console deliberately slows downloads when you are online. The PS5 reserves bandwidth for online play so your game does not lag while a 50 GB update is running in the background.

To read faster, pause your game or go offline, then start the read. Go to your profile icon > Notifications > Downloads to check progress. Alternatively, read during off-peak hours — late night or early morning — when fewer people in your area are using the internet.

If a read is stuck or keeps pausing, go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Downloads, highlight the stuck read, press Options, and select Delete. Then start the read again from the game's store page.

Check your PS5's WiFi settings

If you are using WiFi and your speed test showed a big gap between your phone's speed and your PS5's speed, your PS5 may be connecting on an older, slower WiFi standard. Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > WiFi, select your network, and check the frequency band. If it says 2.4 GHz, try switching to 5 GHz if your router offers it — it is faster, though it does not reach as far.

Also check whether your router is set to broadcast on WiFi 5 (802.11ac) or WiFi 6 (802.11ax). Older routers broadcast on WiFi 4 (802.11n), which is significantly slower. If your router is more than five years old, it may be time to replace it. A modern WiFi 6 router costs $80 to $200 and will speed up all your devices, not just your PS5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my PS5 read speed so much slower than my phone?

The PS5 deliberately slows downloads when you are online to keep your game from lagging. Pause your game or go offline to read faster. If you are not gaming, the problem is usually WiFi signal — move closer to your router or switch to ethernet.

Does a better internet plan make PS5 games less laggy?

Only if your current speed is below 10 Mbps. Lag in online games is usually caused by distance to the game server or your router's WiFi signal, not your total internet speed. A wired connection fixes lag far more often than upgrading your plan does.

Can I use my phone's hotspot to play PS5 games?

Technically yes, but it is not reliable. Phone hotspots are slower and less stable than home internet, and they use your phone's data plan. Use it only as a temporary fix while your home internet is down.

What is a good internet speed for PS5?

Most games need 5 to 10 Mbps minimum. For smooth online play with multiple people in your house using the internet, aim for 35 Mbps or higher. Speeds above 100 Mbps do not make games run better — they just let you read faster.

Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi for my PS5?

Use 5 GHz if your PS5 is within 30 feet of your router — it is faster. Use 2.4 GHz if your PS5 is farther away or separated by multiple walls — it travels farther but is slower. Ethernet is faster and more stable than either.