PS4 Keeps Disconnecting from Wifi [Causes and Fixes]

Take it from us; nothing kills the excitement faster than when you’re suddenly cut off from the internet while playing on PS4 — MMORPG or not. So why does this happen, and how can you address this issue?

Well, read on! In this post, we’ll show you nine effective methods of troubleshooting a PS4 that keeps disconnecting from WiFi, plus troubleshooting tips when your PS4 acts up — so you can continue Final Fantasy XIV in a flash.

Why does your PS4 keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Signal interference is the most common reason for a PS4 console disconnecting from your WiFi network. This can happen when using a WiFi network with a congested 2.4GHz signal frequency.

A faulty PS4 console and WiFi router are also possible culprits of the disconnection issue. In some cases, your ISP might have some technical difficulties in your area, which can cause the internet connection to go out randomly.

How to Fix PS4 WiFi Disconnecting Issue 

The good news is WiFi disconnection issues on a PS4 console are nothing new. Even better, the solutions below have proven to be the most effective remedies to try when PS4 disconnects from WiFi.

FIX 1. Perform a PS4 connection test

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	5
Time to Perform Fix	50 seconds
Things Needed	A PS4 controllerA working internet connection

Before you start messing with the settings configuration of your PS4 console or WiFi router, we suggest performing a connection test first. Do this to check if your PS4 console can connect to your WiFi network without any issues.

This process will help identify what causes the disconnection issue to occur. Doing so will tell us if the console is having trouble obtaining the IP address of the WiFi network or connecting to the PlayStation Network.

Such information is crucial to navigating where to start and the exact things that need troubleshooting. If the connection test’s result is successful, you can also confirm things online on your PS4 console to monitor for any connection problems.

Performing the connection test on your available WiFi networks, including mobile hotspots, is also good. This way, you can identify which WiFi network is faulty or if the console itself is having trouble connecting to any of them.

Step 1: Go up the PS4 home screen to access the control panel and go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and open the console’s Network menu.

Step 3: Scroll down and select the Test Internet Connection option.

Step 4: Wait while your PS4 console checks its internet connection.

Step 5: Play any online game if the internet connection test is successful to confirm if the disconnection problem is resolved.

FIX 2. Power reset your PS4 and WiFi router

Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps	6
Time to Perform Fix	30 minutes and 10 seconds
Things Needed	A PS4 controllerA working power outlet

There’s no such thing as a faultless electronic device so you can expect your PS4 console or WiFi router to encounter issues once in a while. 

Indeed, issues can happen during use, especially if both devices are kept running for long periods. It’s why you should always give your PS4 console or WiFi router the time to cool down and shut their systems down when they’re not in use. 

You can do this by performing a power reset on your PS4 console and WiFi router. The difference between a power reset and a simple shutdown is the time element —  a power reset exacts a definite amount of time before turning the unit back on. 

On the other end of the spectrum, a system shutdown is simply turning your console off or unplugging it from the wall and putting it back up after. It’s your daily routine that doesn’t observe a specific amount of time to turn the unit back on. 

A power reset drains the residual electrical charge on your PS4 console and WiFi router through this method. If both devices aren’t connected to a power source, they should discharge their electrical charges over time.

This solution effectively fixes various system and software-related errors that occur during use, including disconnection and performance issues. 

Step 1: Press and hold the controller’s PS button to go to the console’s Quick Menu.

Step 2: Scroll down and select the Turn Off PS4 option to shut down your console.

Step 3: Unplug the power cable at the back of the PS4 console. Note: You can also unplug the other end from the wall outlet.

Step 4: Press the power button on your WiFi router to shut it down. Note: Make sure to unplug the power cable on your WiFi router as well.

Step 5: Keep your PS4 console and WiFi router unplugged for 30 minutes to drain any residual electrical charges.

Step 6: Plug in the power cables of your PS4 console and WiFi router and press their power buttons to turn them on.

FIX 3. Update the PS4’s firmware

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	7
Time to Perform Fix	5 minutes
Things Needed	A PS4 controllerA working internet connection

Major home consoles such as the PlayStation 4 typically last for 5 to 6 years before the next generation comes along. Game consoles will receive various software or firmware updates during their life cycle to improve their systems and performance.

Firmware updates also allow Sony to fix recurring issues and errors on the PS4, which helps make their player base happy so they can keep their support. Installing the latest firmware on your PS4 console should help it perform better and fix issues.

After all, performing a firmware update improves the overall quality of your PS4 console’s software. This makes it an effective solution when your PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFi.

Step 1: Go up the PS4 home screen to access the control panel and go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and open the console’s System Software Update menu.

Step 3: Click Next to continue with the update process.

Step 4: Click Update to download the software or firmware update.

Step 5: Wait for the console to complete downloading the update.

Step 6: Wait for the update to be installed on the system after the download is complete.

Step 7: Wait as your PS4 console performs a restart sequence to finalize the update process.

FIX 4. Edit your PS4’s DNS settings

Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps	11
Time to Perform Fix	40 seconds
Things Needed	A PS4 controllerA working internet connection

When experiencing problems with your PS4’s WiFi connection, it’s also a good idea to check your network settings. In particular, you can change its DNS settings to manual so you can set your preferred DNS server and improve its connection.

We know this is a bit technical, so a little explanation should do. DNS (Domain Name System) is a server that allows your WiFi network to find and connect to your desired website or server much faster. 

In essence, it’s a database of website hostnames (e.g., yahoo.com) and their unique IP address equivalent.  DNS is crucial when playing online games on your PS4 as the console constantly communicates with other systems and the PlayStation Network.

Please note that the best server to use may differ based on your area or region. As such, we think you should try each of the most recommended DNS servers so you can pick the one that improves your internet connection the best.

Step 1: Go up the PS4 home screen to access the control panel and go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and open the console’s Network menu.

Step 3: Scroll down and select the Set Up Internet Connection option.

Step 4: Select the Use WiFi option since we want to reconfigure the WiFi network.

Step 5: Select the Custom option.

Step 6: Select the network you want to set up.

Step 7: Select Automatic as your console’s IP Address Settings.

Step 8: Select Do Not Specify for the DHCP Host Name.

Step 9: Select Manual to change your console’s DNS settings.

Step 10: Select Primary DNS to enter your desired DNS server. You can use the DNS server of Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), or Quad9 (9.9.9.9) and check which works better in your area.

Step 11: Perform the Internet Connection Test to check if your WiFi connection is working.

Remember that it’s best to keep changing the DNS server if your PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFi. We know that was a bit long but that should not be too hard to get you back online. 

FIX 5. Restore your PS4 to its default settings

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	7
Time to Perform Fix	60 seconds
Things Needed	A PS4 controllerA Micro USB to USB Type-A cable

The reason your PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFi could be tied to a faulty system settings configuration. It can happen if you habitually change some values on your console’s settings, which can affect its connection to your WiFi router.

Unless you remember all the values and options you’ve changed, tracking the specific change that caused the disconnection issue can be difficult. 

You can try to restore everything to their default settings instead. With this, you’ll save a lot of time on navigating the settings menu to remember and change every configuration you can find. 

You don’t have to worry about losing your apps and data, as this only resets the values on the settings. Do note that there are rare instances where some saved data or achievement trophies are removed. 

Overall, you can expect all of your apps and games to remain after this process is done. If, however, certain issues arise, please feel free to connect with PlayStation support to resolve them. 

Step 1: Use a USB cable to connect your PS4 controller to the console.

Step 2: Press and hold the console’s power button for about 7 seconds or until you hear 2 beep sounds.

Step 3: Press the PS button on your PS4 controller to continue into Safe Mode. Note: If you don’t enter the Safe Mode menu after pressing the PS button, you might need to switch to another USB cable or PS4 controller.

Step 4: Scroll down the Safe Mode menu and select the Restore Default Settings option.

Step 5: Select Yes to continue with the restoration.

Step 6: Wait while the console initializes and performs a restart sequence.

Step 7: Follow the instructions on your screen to set up your PS4 console once more.

FIX 6. Factory reset your WiFi router

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	4
Time to Perform Fix	3 minutes
Things Needed	A toothpick or paperclip

When it comes to your WiFi router, an effective troubleshooting method you can try is to perform a factory reset. As the name suggests, this action will restore your WiFi router to its default factory settings, which it had right out of the box.

Any changes to the SSID, WiFi password, and settings configuration will be deleted after the reset. Once done, your WiFi router will use its default SSID and password, which you can find on its sticker label.

If the factory reset doesn’t improve your internet connection, contact your ISP to find out if there’s an ongoing technical problem in your area. Keeping a copy of the internet provider’s contact number is wise especially if your network is down. 

Step 1: Unplug the LAN cable from your WiFi router.

Step 2: Use a toothpick or paperclip to access the reset button inside the pinhole at the back of your WiFi router. Note: You can also use a SIM ejector tool or anything that will fit inside the pinhole.

Step 3: Press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds or until the WiFi router turns off and resets.

Step 4: Plug in the LAN cable on the WiFi router and reconnect your PS4 console to its network to check if you’re still experiencing disconnection issues.

FIX 7. Change your WiFi router’s frequency band

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	1
Time to Perform Fix	40 seconds
Things Needed	A dual-band WiFi router

Disconnection issues are often a result of signal interference caused by multiple nearby devices using the same signal frequency. This issue is common with Bluetooth and WiFi devices that are connected to a 2.4GHz frequency band network.

Since many devices use the 2.4GHz signal frequency, it can get overcrowded and cause disconnection problems. If you have multiple Bluetooth and WiFi devices around, that would explain why your PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFi.

To deal with this problem, you can switch to a 5GHz frequency band on your WiFi router. Unfortunately, this feature is only available on dual-band WiFi routers, which means you can’t do it if yours can only be 2.4GHz.

Alternatively, you can turn off all nearby Bluetooth and WiFi devices to prevent signal interference. Please note that the original PS4 model can only connect to 2.4GHz, so you can only use a 5GHz network with the Slim and Pro models.

Before you do anything hasty, make sure you check what PS4 model you do have. You can find this pertinent data by checking your PS4’s original packaging or at the back of the unit. 

FIX 8. Rebuild your PS4’s database

Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps	6
Time to Perform Fix	10 to 30 minutes
Things Needed	A PS4 controllerA Micro USB to USB Type-A cable

Corrupt data files are a big problem when it comes to any electronic device as they can cause various issues, which can affect performance and internet connection. 

Good thing Sony lets you rebuild the database of your PS4 to combat this. The console can remove any corrupt data and temporary files, such as cache and cookies. 

Rebuilding the database will also improve the speed and performance of your PS4 console, which is what every gamer wants!

Step 1: Use a USB cable to connect your PS4 controller to the console.

Step 2: Press and hold the console’s power button for about 7 seconds or until you hear 2 beep sounds.

Step 3: Press the PS button on your PS4 controller to continue into Safe Mode. Note: If you don’t enter the Safe Mode menu after pressing the PS button, you might need to switch to another USB cable or PS4 controller.

Step 4: Scroll down and click Rebuild Database.

Step 5: Select OK to start the database rebuild process. Note: This process usually takes several minutes to complete even though the warning says it might take a few hours.

Step 6: Wait for your console to complete this process.

FIX 9. Initialize your PS4

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	6
Time to Perform Fix	40 seconds
Things Needed	A working PS4 controller

In the previous solutions, we’ve explored some options that will reset your PS4 console without deleting your apps, games, and user data. Unfortunately, using those solutions may be insufficient if you’ve reached this point. 

Our final recommendation to fix this disconnection issue is to initialize your PS4 console, which will delete all of your apps, games, and user data. This action will also reset everything on your console to the default factory settings.

You can think of it as having a brand new PS4 if you ignore the fact that the console has been used before. Please note that we only recommend this solution as a last resort so you shouldn’t perform this if you haven’t tried the previous ones.

Step 1: Use a USB cable to connect your PS4 controller to the console.

Step 2: Press and hold the console’s power button for about 7 seconds or until you hear 2 beep sounds.

Step 3: Press the PS button on your PS4 controller to continue into Safe Mode. Note: If you don’t enter the Safe Mode menu after pressing the PS button, you might need to switch to another USB cable or PS4 controller.

Step 4: Scroll down and select the Initialize PS4 option.

Step 5: Select OK to initialize your PS4 console.

Step 6: Wait for your console to complete this process so you can set it up once more once it’s done.

What to Do When Nothing Works

If none of the troubleshooting methods above worked to fix the disconnection issue on your PS4, switch to a wired connection. Not only is a wired internet connection much faster but it’s also stable as it isn’t affected by signal interference.

You can follow the instructions below to set up a wired internet connection on your PS4 console. You’ll need to buy a LAN cable beforehand since Sony doesn’t include one with the PS4.

Use a LAN cable to connect your PS4 to your WiFi router

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	3
Time to Perform Fix	40 seconds
Things Needed	A LAN cable

Step 1: Plug a LAN cable into your WiFi router.

Step 2: Plug the other end of the LAN cable into your PS4 console.

Step 3: Go up the PS4 home screen to access the control panel and go to Settings.

Step 4: Scroll down and open the console’s Network menu.

Step 5: Scroll down and select the Set Up Internet Connection option.

Step 6: Select the Use a LAN Cable option.

Step 7: Select Easy to continue.

Step 8: Wait until the console’s internet settings are updated and click Test Internet Connection.

That might not be your favorite solution. But the logic is simple: wired internet should be the next best thing to count on if a wireless internet connection doesn’t work. 

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