Speed Up PS5 Downloads: Settings and Network Fixes

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Slow PS5 downloads can come from Wi-Fi interference, busy network traffic, or a game downloading while the console is active. These settings and network checks can improve the connection or remove common bottlenecks; you’ll need your PS5, access to your router if possible, and your Wi-Fi password or an Ethernet cable for some steps.

What You’ll Need

Your PS5 and the PlayStation Network status page, which you can check on a phone or computer.
Your router’s location and, if changing its settings, its administrator access.
An Ethernet cable long enough to connect the PS5 to the router, if you can use a wired connection.
Your Wi-Fi password if you need to reconnect the console.

Step-by-Step

Check whether the slowdown is on PlayStation Network. On a phone or computer, check PlayStation’s official network service status page. If services are disrupted, your home network may be working normally. Wait for service to recover before changing router settings. Also consider whether the download is a large game or update: the displayed time can fluctuate as the console downloads, installs, and applies data.
Pause and restart the download once. On the PS5 home screen, open Downloads/Uploads from the Control Center or the game’s download notification. Select the download and choose Pause, then resume it after a few seconds. This can recover a stalled transfer, but repeatedly pausing and resuming is not a reliable way to increase speed.
Close games and streaming apps. A game running in the foreground can make downloading or installation take longer. Close it from the home screen: highlight the game, press the Options button, and choose Close Game. Pause video streaming or other heavy network activity on devices in your home while the download runs.
Use Rest Mode with downloads enabled. Open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode, then enable Stay Connected to the Internet. Start or resume the download, then use the power menu to enter Rest Mode. The console can continue downloading while resting, provided it remains connected to the internet and has power. Rest Mode does not guarantee a higher connection speed; it mainly lets the download continue without active gameplay.
Test the connection and compare wired with wireless. Go to Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. The test provides an estimate, not a guaranteed download speed, and it may differ from the speed shown during a game download. If possible, connect the PS5 directly to the router using Ethernet, then test again. If Ethernet is faster or more stable, use it. Avoid relying on a powerline adapter as a definitive test because results depend on household wiring.
Improve the Wi-Fi connection if you cannot use Ethernet. Place the PS5 and router in open space, closer together, with fewer walls or large obstacles between them. Keep the router away from enclosed cabinets and sources of interference. In Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection, highlight your network and press the Options button to choose a Wi-Fi frequency band if that option appears. A 5 GHz connection can be faster at short range, while 2.4 GHz may reach farther through obstacles. Compare both where available; the better choice depends on distance and interference.
Restart the PS5 and router in a sensible order. Save work and close any game, then turn off the PS5 fully rather than selecting Rest Mode. Unplug the router’s power for about 30 seconds, reconnect it, and wait until its internet connection is back. Turn on the PS5 and resume the download. Do not reset the router to factory settings for a routine slowdown.
Reduce other network traffic and check the router connection. Pause large downloads, cloud backups, video streams, and online updates on other devices. If your router has a guest network or separate bands, connect the PS5 to the network with the stronger, less congested signal. Router quality-of-service settings vary by manufacturer; only change them if you understand the controls, and avoid guessing at values. If all devices are slow, contact your internet provider or check for an outage.
Update system software when the connection is stable. Open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings and check for an update. An update is not a speed-boost switch, but keeping system software current can help avoid connection or download problems. Do not interrupt a system software update by cutting power.

Common Mistakes

Judging speed from one reading: Network tests and download estimates change with server load, Wi-Fi conditions, and other activity. Compare results under similar conditions.
Changing DNS and expecting a faster download: DNS primarily helps find network addresses; a different DNS provider does not necessarily increase download throughput. Restore automatic DNS if a manual setting causes connection trouble.
Using a speed-test number as a promise: Internet plans often advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps), while file sizes are usually shown in gigabytes (GB). They are not directly comparable without conversion, and real downloads have overhead and server limits.
Putting the router out of sight: Cabinets, floors, distance, and walls can weaken Wi-Fi. A better placement is often more useful than changing several settings at once.
Factory-resetting the router too soon: A reset can erase the network name, password, and provider settings. Restart it first and consult the router’s instructions or internet provider before resetting.

Tips

Run one test before and after a change, and note whether you switched between Ethernet and Wi-Fi. This makes it easier to identify what helped.
For a large download, start it when fewer household devices are using the connection and leave the PS5 in Rest Mode with internet access enabled.
Keep the router’s firmware and PS5 system software current, using the device maker’s normal update process.
If you use Ethernet, check that the cable clicks into place at both ends and try another known-good cable or router port if the link is unstable.

Troubleshooting

The download is stuck or keeps failing: Check PlayStation Network status, then pause and resume once. Restart the PS5 and router. If other internet services work but only one download fails, canceling and starting again may help, but do so only after considering whether the download must be fetched again. Make sure the console has enough free storage for the game and its update.

The PS5 cannot connect after changing Wi-Fi settings: Return to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection, select the correct network, and enter its password again. If a manual DNS or other custom network setting was added, switch it back to automatic or remove the change. Use Ethernet temporarily if available.

Ethernet is no faster: Confirm the cable and router port work, and test another cable if possible. The limiting factor may be your internet plan, provider congestion, the remote download server, or other traffic—not the PS5’s Wi-Fi. If every device is slow, contact your provider with the times and results of your tests.

Rest Mode stops the download: Verify Stay Connected to the Internet is enabled under the Rest Mode features. Check that the console is entering Rest Mode rather than being fully turned off, and make sure the router remains powered and connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rest Mode make PS5 downloads faster?
Not necessarily. It allows downloads to continue while you are away and avoids active gameplay, but it cannot overcome a slow connection, busy network, or server limitation.

Is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi for PS5 downloads?
Ethernet is generally more consistent and avoids wireless interference. It is not guaranteed to be faster if your internet service or the download server is the bottleneck.

Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Try both if your router and PS5 offer the choice. 5 GHz often performs better nearby; 2.4 GHz may work better at greater distance or through obstacles. Local interference can change the result.

Will changing DNS speed up game downloads?
Usually not. DNS can affect address lookup, but download throughput is more often limited by the internet connection, Wi-Fi quality, network traffic, or server load.

Why is the download slower than my internet plan?
The plan’s advertised speed is not a guaranteed rate to every server. Wi-Fi conditions, other household usage, network congestion, and the game server can all reduce the speed you see.

Can I play a game while it downloads?
You can, but closing the game and other demanding apps is a useful test if the download seems slow. Some games also have separate download and installation work that affects the time displayed.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.