PS5 read speed depends on your network setup, not just your internet plan
Your PS5 connects to the internet through either Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable, and that connection method matters more than your plan's advertised speed. A PS5 downloading at 10 Mbps over Wi-Fi from across the room is a network problem, not an internet problem — your ISP is delivering the speed, but the PS5 is not receiving it. The console also queues downloads behind system updates and background tasks, which can make a game appear to read slowly even when the connection is fine.
The fastest fix is almost always moving to a wired ethernet connection. If that is not possible, the second step is checking what the PS5 actually sees when it tests its connection, then moving the console or router to reduce interference. Most slow downloads trace back to one of these two causes.
Key Takeaways
- An ethernet cable connected directly to your router will almost always deliver faster downloads than Wi-Fi, even if your Wi-Fi signal looks strong.
- The PS5's built-in connection test shows you the actual speed reaching the console, which often differs from what your phone or computer sees on the same network.
- Wi-Fi interference from walls, microwaves, and other devices slows downloads more than distance does, and moving the PS5 or router often fixes it without any settings changes.
- System updates and background downloads queue ahead of game downloads, so a slow game read may mean the console is busy with something else.
- PS5 read speed caps at around 1.2 Gbps even with a gigabit connection, so speeds above that are not possible regardless of your setup.
Test what speed the PS5 actually receives
Before changing anything, run the PS5's built-in connection test to see what speed is actually reaching the console. Go to Settings > Network > Connection Status and select Test Internet Connection. The results show read speed, upload speed, and connection type (Wi-Fi or ethernet). Write down the read speed number.
Compare this to what you see on your phone or computer using the same network. If your phone shows 200 Mbps but the PS5 shows 40 Mbps, the problem is between the PS5 and your router, not between your router and your ISP. If both devices show similar speeds, the problem is your internet connection itself — contact your ISP or review the steps in the parent article on measuring your home internet speed.
Run the test a few times over a few minutes. If the speed jumps around wildly (from 30 Mbps to 100 Mbps to 50 Mbps), that usually means Wi-Fi interference or the console is competing with other devices for bandwidth.
Switch to ethernet if you can
An ethernet cable plugged directly into your router and the PS5's ethernet port will almost always be faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. Even a 10-year-old ethernet cable works fine — the cable itself does not wear out. If your router is in a different room, a 50-foot ethernet cable costs $10 to $20 and solves the problem permanently.
To connect: plug one end into the PS5's ethernet port (on the back, below the power socket) and the other into any available port on your router. The PS5 will detect the connection automatically. Run the connection test again to confirm the speed improved. Most users see a 50 to 100 percent speed increase just from switching to ethernet.
If running a cable is not practical, move to the next section. If you do use ethernet, you can skip the Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps below.
Move the PS5 closer to the router or reduce obstacles
Wi-Fi signal weakens through walls, metal, and water. A PS5 in a bedroom on the opposite side of the house from the router will read much slower than one in the same room, even if the signal bars look full. Move the console to the same room as the router, or at least to a room with fewer walls between them.
If moving the console is not possible, move the router instead. Routers work best in a central, elevated location — on a shelf or wall mount in the middle of your home rather than tucked in a corner or on the floor. Raising the router by even a few feet can improve signal to a distant PS5.
Also check what is near the PS5 or router: microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and some wireless speakers use the same 2.4 GHz frequency as older Wi-Fi and cause interference. Moving the router away from these devices, or moving them away from the PS5, can noticeably improve speed. Thick metal objects like filing cabinets and refrigerators also block signal.
Check which Wi-Fi band your PS5 is using
Most modern routers broadcast two Wi-Fi bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 5 GHz band is faster but has shorter range. The 2.4 GHz band is slower but travels through walls better. Your PS5 may be connecting to the slower 2.4 GHz band even though the 5 GHz band is available.
Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Wi-Fi and look at the list of available networks. If your router broadcasts both bands, you will see two network names — one may end in "5G" or have a different name entirely. Try connecting to the 5 GHz network instead. Run the connection test again to see if speed improved.
If your router only shows one network name, it is broadcasting both bands under one name, and the PS5 will switch between them automatically. In that case, you cannot force it to use one band over the other without changing your router settings, which is usually not necessary.
Check for system updates and background downloads
The PS5 prioritizes system updates and background downloads over game downloads. If a system update is running or another game is downloading in the background, your game read will slow to a crawl. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings to see if an update is in progress.
You can also check what is downloading by going to Your Collection and looking at the read queue. Pause any background downloads that are not urgent, then restart your game read. The speed should increase when ready.
The PS5 also downloads updates for games you own even when you are not playing them. If you see a game updating in the background, you can pause it temporarily to speed up your current read, then resume it later.
Restart the console and router
A restart clears temporary network glitches that slow downloads. Turn off the PS5 completely (not rest mode), wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. While it is restarting, unplug your router's power cable, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Let the router fully restart (usually 2 to 3 minutes) before testing the PS5 connection again.
This fixes most temporary slowdowns. If speed is still low after a restart, the problem is either your Wi-Fi setup (covered above) or your internet connection itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my PS5 read speed so much slower than my phone on the same Wi-Fi?
The PS5 has an older Wi-Fi chip than modern phones, and it does not support the newest Wi-Fi standards. It also uses more bandwidth per read than a phone typically does. Moving the PS5 closer to the router or switching to ethernet usually closes the gap.
Can I improve read speed by changing DNS settings?
Changing DNS rarely helps with read speed — it affects how quickly the console finds the PlayStation servers, not how fast data flows once connected. If your ISP's DNS is slow, switching to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) may help slightly, but moving to ethernet or reducing Wi-Fi interference will have a much bigger effect.
Does the PS5 read faster at certain times of day?
Yes. PlayStation's servers are busier during evening and weekend hours, which can slow downloads for everyone. If you can wait, downloading late at night or early morning often speeds things up. You can also put the PS5 in rest mode and set downloads to continue — the console will read while you sleep.
What if my ethernet cable is very long?
Ethernet cables longer than 100 meters (about 330 feet) start to lose signal, but most home setups are nowhere near that length. A 50 or 75-foot cable works fine. If you need something longer, a powerline adapter or mesh Wi-Fi system is a better choice than an extremely long cable.
Is my PS5 read speed capped at a certain speed?
The PS5 has a practical read speed limit of around 1.2 Gbps due to its hardware. If your internet plan is faster than that, the PS5 will not use the extra speed. This is not a problem — 1.2 Gbps is fast enough to read a 100 GB game in under 15 minutes.