Your PS5 isn't connecting because of a mismatch between what the console needs and what your router is sending

The PS5 connects to WiFi through the 5 GHz band, which is faster but has shorter range than the 2.4 GHz band that older devices use. If your router broadcasts both bands, your PS5 might be trying to connect to the wrong one, or your router might not be broadcasting the 5 GHz band at all. Distance, interference from walls or other electronics, and incorrect password entry also cause connection failures — but these are easier to rule out than a band mismatch.

The fastest way to know what's actually happening is to check your router's settings and your PS5's error message together. Your router's manual or the sticker on the back will tell you which bands it supports. Your PS5 will show you which band it's trying to use and whether it's getting a signal.

Key Takeaways

  • The PS5 needs a 5 GHz WiFi band to connect; if your router only broadcasts 2.4 GHz, the console cannot see it.
  • Check your router's manual or settings page to confirm it broadcasts 5 GHz and that the band is turned on.
  • Move the PS5 closer to the router to rule out range and interference as the problem.
  • Restart both the PS5 and the router, waiting 30 seconds after unplugging before turning them back on.
  • If your router has a single network name for both bands, you may need to split them in the router settings so the PS5 picks the 5 GHz band.

Check whether your router broadcasts 5 GHz

The PS5 will not connect to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. Many older routers only broadcast 2.4 GHz, and some newer routers have 5 GHz turned off by default. You need to know which bands your router supports before you troubleshoot anything else.

Look at the sticker on the back or bottom of your router. It will say something like "802.11ac" or "WiFi 5" or "WiFi 6" — any of these means the router supports 5 GHz. If it only says "802.11n" or "WiFi 4", your router cannot broadcast 5 GHz and you will need a new one. If the sticker does not say, check the router's manual or search the model number plus "5 GHz" online.

If your router does support 5 GHz, log into the router's settings page. On most routers, you type the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser on a computer or phone connected to that WiFi. The router's manual will have the exact address and the username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a wireless settings or radio settings section. Check that 5 GHz is turned on — it may be labeled as "5G", "5 GHz", or "802.11ac".

Move the PS5 closer to the router and check for interference

The 5 GHz band has shorter range than 2.4 GHz. If your PS5 is more than 30 feet from the router, or if there are multiple walls between them, the signal may be too weak to connect. Move the console to within 15 feet of the router with as few walls as possible between them, and try connecting again.

Interference from other electronics can also block the signal. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and some wireless speakers use the 5 GHz band. Move these devices away from the router and PS5, or turn them off while you test the connection.

Restart the PS5 and router together

A restart clears temporary connection problems that prevent the PS5 from seeing or joining the network. Unplug the power cable from the back of the router and wait 30 seconds. While you wait, hold the power button on the PS5 for 10 seconds until it shuts down completely. Then plug the router back in and wait for all its lights to stop blinking (usually 2 to 3 minutes). Turn the PS5 back on and try to connect to WiFi.

If the PS5 still will not connect after a restart, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection and select your WiFi network. The PS5 will show you the signal strength and whether it sees the 5 GHz band. If it shows "No 5 GHz network found", your router is not broadcasting 5 GHz, and you need to turn it on in the router settings.

Split your WiFi bands if your router combines them

Some routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under a single network name. When this happens, the PS5 may connect to the 2.4 GHz band by mistake and then fail. You can force the PS5 onto 5 GHz by splitting the bands so they have separate names.

Log into your router's settings page again and look for wireless settings or SSID settings. You should see options to name the 2.4 GHz network and the 5 GHz network separately. Give them different names — for example, "MyNetwork-2.4" and "MyNetwork-5G". Save the changes and wait for the router to restart. On the PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection and select only the 5 GHz network (the one with "5G" in the name).

Check your password and WiFi security settings

If the PS5 sees the 5 GHz network but will not connect, the password may be wrong or the security settings may be incompatible. Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection on the PS5 and re-enter your WiFi password carefully. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

If you are still stuck, check your router's security setting. The PS5 works with WPA2 and WPA3 security. If your router is set to WEP or an older standard, the PS5 cannot connect. Log into the router settings, find the wireless security section, and change it to WPA2 or WPA3. Then restart the router and try connecting the PS5 again.

Update the PS5 system software

Outdated system software can cause WiFi connection problems. Connect the PS5 to the internet using an ethernet cable if you have one, or use a phone hotspot temporarily. Go to Settings > System > System Software and select Update. The PS5 will read and install any available updates, which may take 10 to 30 minutes.

If you cannot use ethernet or a hotspot, you can also update the PS5 in Safe Mode. Hold the power button for 7 seconds until you hear two beeps, then select "Update System Software". This method is slower but does not require an internet connection first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a 2.4 GHz WiFi network with my PS5?

No. The PS5 only connects to 5 GHz WiFi networks. If your router only broadcasts 2.4 GHz, you will need to buy a newer router that supports 5 GHz, or use an ethernet cable instead.

What if my router is in another room and I cannot move the PS5 closer?

Try using an ethernet cable instead of WiFi. If that is not possible, you may need a WiFi extender or mesh network system that broadcasts 5 GHz. These devices repeat your router's signal and can reach further into your home.

Why does my phone connect to WiFi but my PS5 does not?

Your phone likely supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, so it can connect to whichever band your router is broadcasting. The PS5 only works with 5 GHz. Check that your router is broadcasting 5 GHz and that it is turned on in the router settings.

Do I need to change my WiFi password after splitting the bands?

No. You can use the same password for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. You only need to give them different names so you can tell them apart when connecting devices.

What should I do if none of these steps work?

Try connecting the PS5 with an ethernet cable to rule out a WiFi problem. If the ethernet connection works, the issue is with your WiFi setup. If ethernet does not work either, the PS5 may have a hardware problem and you should contact Sony support.