Change your PlayStation Network password from your console or online account

You can change your PlayStation Network (PSN) password in two ways: directly from your PS4 or PS5 console, or through your account on the PlayStation website. The console method is faster if you are already signed in. The website method works if you have forgotten your password or cannot access your console, and it is the only way to change your password if you use a child account (those require a parent or guardian to make the change through the family management settings).

Both methods take about five minutes. You will need your current password to change it on the console, but the website lets you reset it if you have forgotten the old one — though that process requires access to your email address.

Key Takeaways

  • On your PS4 or PS5, go to Settings, then Account, then Security, then Password to change it in under two minutes if you remember your current password.
  • On the PlayStation website, sign into your account at account.playstation.com, select Security, then Password to change it without touching your console.
  • If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page and follow the email recovery steps instead of trying to change it.
  • Child accounts cannot change their own passwords — the adult who set up the family group must change it through the family management settings on a console or the website.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Change your password on PS4 or PS5

Start from the home screen and press the PS button on your controller to open the function menu. Scroll right to find your profile icon (usually in the top left corner of the screen), then select it. From the menu that appears, choose Settings.

In Settings, scroll down and select Account. Then select Security. You will see a Password option — select it. The console will ask you to enter your current password first. Type it in carefully, as the field will show dots instead of your actual characters. Once you enter the current password correctly, you will be prompted to create a new one.

Your new password must be at least eight characters long. It must include at least one uppercase letter (A–Z), one lowercase letter (a–z), one number (0–9), and one symbol (!@#$%^&*). PlayStation will tell you if your password is too weak as you type. Once you have entered a password that meets all requirements, select Continue or Confirm (the button name varies slightly between PS4 and PS5). The console will confirm the change, and you are done.

Change your password on the PlayStation website

Open a web browser on any device and go to account.playstation.com. Sign in with your PSN username or email address and your current password. Once you are signed in, look for your profile icon or name in the top right corner and select it. A dropdown menu will appear — choose Account Settings or Security Settings (the exact wording depends on your region).

Select Security from the left-hand menu. You will see a Password section with an option to change it. Select that option. The website will ask you to enter your current password again for security reasons. After you enter it, you will be prompted to create a new password. Follow the same rules as the console: at least eight characters, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Once you have typed a valid password, select Save or Confirm. The website will send you a confirmation email — you do not need to do anything with that email unless you want to verify the change happened.

What to do if you have forgotten your password

Do not try to change your password through the normal settings if you cannot remember it. Instead, go to the PlayStation sign-in page (on the console or website) and select "Forgot your password?" or "Can't sign in?" A link will appear asking you to enter your PSN username or the email address connected to your account.

Enter whichever one you have, and PlayStation will send a password reset email to the address on file. Open that email and select the reset link. The link will take you to a page where you can create a new password. Follow the same character requirements (eight characters minimum, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Once you submit the new password, you can sign in with it when ready on any device.

If you do not receive the reset email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, make sure you entered the correct username or email address. You can try again with a different one if you have multiple email addresses linked to your account.

Changing a child account password

Child accounts on PlayStation cannot change their own passwords. The adult who created the family group must change it. If you are the parent or guardian, sign into your own PSN account on the console or website, then go to your account settings and look for Family Management or Parental Controls.

Select the child's account from the list of family members. You will see an option to manage their account settings, including password. Select it and enter your own password when prompted. Then you can set a new password for the child's account. The child will need to use this new password the next time they sign in.

If you are a child and need to change your password, ask the adult who manages your family group to do it for you. They will need access to their own PSN account and their own password.

What happens after you change your password

Your new password takes effect when ready. If you were signed into your PSN account on other devices (another console, a phone, a computer), you will be signed out automatically. The next time you try to use PSN on those devices, you will need to sign in again with your new password.

This is a security feature — if someone else had access to your account, signing out everywhere forces them to sign back in with the new password they do not know. If you see devices signed in that you do not recognize, you can also manually sign them out from the Security section of your account settings on the website, even before changing your password.

Password requirements and tips

PlayStation requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and to contain uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You cannot use your PSN username or email address as part of your password. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts — if one service is hacked, a unique password keeps your other accounts safer.

Write your new password down in a find place (a locked drawer, a password manager app) if you think you might forget it. Do not share your password with anyone, even friends or family members. If someone else needs to play on your console, create a separate PSN account for them instead of sharing yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out of my PS4 or PS5?

No, you will stay signed in on the console where you changed it. However, you will be signed out on any other devices where you were signed in with your PSN account. You will need to sign back in with your new password on those devices.

Can I change my password if I do not remember my current one?

No, not through the normal settings. Use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page instead. You will receive a reset email at the address connected to your account, and you can create a new password from that email.

How often should I change my PlayStation Network password?

There is no required schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you have used the same password on another service that was hacked, or if you straightforward want to update it for security. Many people change their passwords once or twice a year as a precaution.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one right away?

Use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page and follow the email reset process. You will receive a reset link at your registered email address and can create another new password.

Can I use the same password I used before?

PlayStation does not prevent you from reusing an old password, but it is not recommended for security reasons. Choose a new password that you have not used on this account before.