How to Speed ​​Up Wi-Fi on PS4: A Step-by-Step Guide for Gamers

Slow Wi-Fi on PlayStation 4 can ruin any online match: constant lag, high ping, and sudden connection drops ruin the fun of the game. The causes of slowdowns aren't limited to the console alone—your router, ISP, or even the settings of the system itself can be to blame. PS4In this article we will analyze 8 working methods Speed ​​up your internet, from basic settings to hardware upgrades.

It's important to understand that the Wi-Fi speed on the console will always be lower than over a cable. This is due to the limitations of the wireless adapter. PS4 (maximum 867 Mbps in standard 802.11ac on the model Slim/Pro). However, even within these constraints, you can squeeze out the maximum—the key is to know where to look for bottlenecks. Let's start with the simplest and move on to more radical measures.

1. Checking the current speed and diagnosing problems

Before changing anything, you need to understand where exactly the speed is being lost. PS4 There is a built-in connection test, but it only shows ping and download speed - this is not enough for a complete diagnosis.

To run the test:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Check Internet connection.
2. Wait for the test to complete and record the results. download/upload speeds And NAT type.
3. Compare the results with your provider's tariff (for example, if you have a tariff 100 Mbps, and the console shows 20 Mbps, there is definitely a problem).

Please note NAT type:

• 🟢 Type 1 (Open) — ideal option, minimal delays.
• 🟡 Type 2 (Moderate) - lags are possible in some games.
• 🔴 Type 3 (Strict) - high ping, problems connecting to servers.

If the NAT type is higher 2This is critical for multiplayer. It can be fixed by changing your router settings (more on that below). Also, check if your antivirus or firewall is blocking console traffic on your PC—sometimes this is the cause of strict NAT.

2. Optimize Wi-Fi settings on PS4

Even without changing your router, you can speed up your connection directly in the console menu. Here are the key settings to adjust:

Changing DNS servers

Default DNS from your provider is often slow. Replace it with a public one:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Set up Internet connection.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network and click Options → Additional settings.
3. In the section DNS select Manually and enter:

Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4 (Google) or 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare)

After saving, restart your console. This may reduce your ping. 10-30 ms depending on the region.

Disabling Wi-Fi power saving

By default PS4 Reduces the adapter's power in standby mode. To fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Power Saving → Standby Settings.
2. Select Connect to the Internet.

This will prevent connection breaks when exiting the game.

Change DNS to Google/Cloudflare|

Disable Wi-Fi Power Saving|

Reboot the router and console|

Check the speed after changes-->

3. Configure your router to prioritize PS4 traffic

If you have smartphones, TVs, and other devices running on your network at the same time, they can rob your console of speed. The solution is to configure QoS (Quality of Service) on the router so that the traffic PS4 had priority.

How to enable QoS:

1. Go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section QoS or Traffic prioritization (the name depends on the model).
3. Add PS4 to the list of priority devices by MAC address (you can find out about it in Settings → Network → View connection status on the console).
4. Set the highest priority for ports used by games (for example, TCP/UDP 3074 For Call of Duty, 3478-3480 For Fortnite).

Additional router settings:

• 📶 Wi-Fi channel: If your router is in automatic mode, manually select the least loaded channel (use applications like WiFi Analyzer for analysis). For 5 GHz optimal channels 36-48 or 149-165.
• 🔄 Opening hours: Install 802.11ac (if supported) or 802.11n for maximum speed.
• 🔒 Channel width: For 5 GHz select 80 MHz (if the router and console support it), for 2.4 GHz — 20 MHz (less interference).

4. Switch to a wired connection (LAN)

The only guaranteed way to eliminate lag is to connect your PS4 to your router via cable. The console's wireless adapter physically cannot provide stability comparable to Gigabit Ethernet. Even if your router gives out 300 Mbps via Wi-Fi, the actual speed is PS4 rarely exceeds 100-150 Mbps, and the ping can "jump" from 20 ms to 200 ms.

What you will need:

• 🔌 Cable Cat 5e or higher (length up to 100 m).
• 📡 Perhaps, Powerline adapter (if the router is far away and it is inconvenient to pull the cable).

How to connect:

1. Connect the router and PS4 cable (port LAN on the router → port Ethernet on the console).
2. On the console, select Settings → Network → Set up Internet connection → Use LAN cable.
3. Run a connection test - the speed should increase by 1.5-2 times, and the ping will stabilize.

If the router is in another room, use Powerline adapters (For example, TP-Link AV1000). They transmit the Internet through electrical wiring and provide up to 70-80% Speeds from a cable connection. Most importantly, don't plug adapters into surge protectors!

5. Updating the router and PS4 firmware

Outdated software can be the cause of a slow network. Router firmware often contains fixes for wireless modules, and updates PS4 optimize the network stack.

Router update:

1. Go to the router's web interface (instructions are usually on a sticker at the bottom).
2. Find the section Firmware update or Firmware Update.
3. Download the latest version from the manufacturer's website (for example, for ASUS — https://www.asus.com/support) and download it manually.

PS4 Update:

1. Go to Settings → System software update.
2. If an update is available, download and install it (preferably via cable).

After the update, reset the network settings on the console:

1. Settings → Network → Set up Internet connection.
2. Select Special → Reset network settings.

What should I do if my Wi-Fi connection disappears after updating my router?

If after flashing the firmware the router stops distributing Wi-Fi, reset it to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel). Then set up the network again using the information from the sticker.

6. Replacing the Wi-Fi adapter or upgrading the router

If all previous methods fail, the problem may be hardware related. Wireless module PS4 (especially in the base model CUH-1000) is weaker than modern routers and does not support new standards such as Wi-Fi 6.

Upgrade options:

For PS4 The best option is a router with support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) And MU-MIMOBudget models like TP-Link Archer C6 (1200 Mbps) will cope with the task, but for future upgrades to PS5 better to take Wi-Fi 6 (For example, Xiaomi AX3600).

If you don't want to buy a new router, try this disable old standards in its settings:

1. In the web interface, find the section Wireless network.
2. Set the mode 802.11ac only (if all your devices support it).
3. Turn it off 802.11b/g - this will reduce interference.

7. Network optimization on the provider side

Sometimes the problem isn't with the equipment, but with the plan or provider settings. Here's what you can do:

Tariff check:

• 📊 Check with your provider to see if it works speed limit during rush hours (for example, with 19:00 to 23:00).
• 🔄 If you have a tariff with "to 100 Mbps", the actual speed may be lower. Ask for test access to a higher tariff (many providers offer 3-7 days for free).

Changing MTU:

Wrong size MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) can cause packet fragmentation and lags. The optimal value for PS4 — 1473.

1. On the console: Settings → Network → Internet connection settings → Special.
2. Select MTU → Manually → enter 1473.

Disable background updates:

If you have an unlimited data plan but your speed drops at night, automatic game updates may be to blame. Disable them:

1. Settings → Power Saving → Standby Settings.
2. Uncheck the box Stay connected to the Internet.

How to check the actual speed from your provider?

Connect your laptop or PC directly to the router via cable and run the test. speedtest.netIf the speed is lower than stated in your plan, call support—there may be a problem with the line.

8. Alternative solutions for a stable connection

If none of the methods help, consider unconventional options:

Mobile Internet (4G/5G):

• 📶 Connect PS4 to the smartphone via modem mode (USB or Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Use a separate 4G router (For example, Huawei E5577) with an unlimited tariff.
• ⚠️ Attention: Many operators block P2P traffic (used in games), so check your plan terms.

VPN to bypass restrictions:

In some cases, ISPs artificially limit speeds for gamers. A VPN can help bypass this:

1. Install a VPN on your router (for example, ExpressVPN or NordVPN).
2. Connect PS4 to the router via cable or Wi-Fi.
3. Choose a server with minimal ping (for example, in the Netherlands or Germany for European games).

⚠️ Attention: VPN adds latency (10-50 ms), so test before using in competitions.

Using a proxy server:

For some games (eg. GTA Online) A proxy helps reduce ping through optimized routes. Configuration:

1. Find a free proxy with low ping (for example, on hide.me).
2. Enter his details in the network settings PS4 (Settings → Network → Connection settings → Advanced → Proxy server).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about boosting Wi-Fi on PS4

Why is the ping in games high, although the test speed is normal?

Download speed (in Mbps) and ping (in ms) are different things. High ping is usually caused by:

• Overload of game servers (peak hours).
• Routing traffic through remote nodes (check through traceroute on PC).
• Competition with other devices on the network (enable QoS on your router).

Solution: Use a wired connection and check the NAT type.

Can you use Wi-Fi 6 on PS4?

PS4 (including Pro) does not support Wi-Fi 6 (standard 802.11ax). However, the router with Wi-Fi 6 can improve stability by:

• Better handling of multiple devices (technology OFDMA).
• Reducing interference in busy networks (BSS Coloring).

But there won't be a direct increase in speed on the console - at most 867 Mbps (as in Wi-Fi 5).

Which Wi-Fi channel is better for PS4 - 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?

Depends on the situation:

• 5 GHz: Faster (up to 867 Mbps on PS4 Pro), less interference, but less penetration through walls. Optimal if the router is nearby.
• 2.4 GHz: Slower (up to 150 Mbit/s), but better coverage. Suitable if the console is far from the router.

Check both options in the settings PS4 and select the one with the lower ping.

Does rebooting the router help?

Yes, but only temporarily. Restarting clears the router's cache and resets connections, which can:

• Eliminate "hanging" sessions that consume bandwidth.
• Update your IP address (useful if your ISP limits your speed by IP).

It is recommended to reboot the router once a 2-3 days, if it works without turning off.

Can a virus on a PS4 affect Wi-Fi speed?

No, PS4 not susceptible to viruses in the classical sense. However:

• Malicious scripts can penetrate through messages in games (for example, in GTA Online), but they do not affect the network.
• If the console is hacked (jailbreak), third-party programs may consume traffic.

Solution: reset PS4 to factory settings (Settings → Initialization) and do not install pirated software.