PS5 Wi-Fi Guide: Which Wi-Fi It Supports, Connecting to 5 GHz and Fixing Slow Downloads

The PS5 has fast built-in Wi-Fi, but games are huge and online play is sensitive to delays, so the console exposes every weakness of a home network. Here is what the PS5 supports, how to get it onto the right band, and what actually fixes slow downloads.

Which Wi-Fi Does the PS5 Support?

PS5 and PS5 Slim: Wi-Fi 6. Sony’s instruction manual for the slim models lists IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, which covers both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The original model also supports Wi-Fi 6, as PlayStation announced at launch.

PS5 Pro: Wi-Fi 7. Sony’s PS5 Pro page lists IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be and notes that it also works with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 routers. PlayStation’s connection guide adds that consoles from the CFI-7000 model group can use Multi-Link Operation with compatible Wi-Fi 7 access points (Advanced Settings for the network).

Sony’s safety guides list the PS5’s Wi-Fi bands as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; the PS5 Pro adds 6 GHz.

All models have a gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000BASE-T).

A Wi-Fi 6 or 7 router helps only if the console is close enough to use the higher speeds; see Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7.

How to Connect and Test

PlayStation’s steps for a wireless connection on PS5:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection.
2. Choose your Wi-Fi network and select Connect, then enter the password.
3. If the network does not appear (for example, a hidden network), choose Set Up Manually. Routers with WPS can also use Set Up Using WPS Button.

Then run Settings → Network → Connection Status → Test Internet Connection. It shows the download and upload speed and the NAT type.

One limitation from PlayStation: the PS5 supports IPv6 but not IPv6-only networks. If your router is set to IPv6-only, switch it to IPv4 or dual stack; see IPv6 vs IPv4.

Getting the PS5 on 5 GHz

The PS5 joins whichever band your router offers under the network name you select. If your router uses one network name for both bands, the router and console decide between them, and a console far from the router may end up on slower 2.4 GHz. PlayStation itself recommends turning off band steering for the PS Portal, for the same reason.

To make sure it uses 5 GHz:

• Move the console or the router so that the PS5 gets a strong 5 GHz signal — ideally the same room.
• Give 5 GHz its own network name in the router’s wireless settings (turn off Smart Connect or band steering), and connect the PS5 to that name. See 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.
• Add a mesh unit near the TV if the router is far away; see what is mesh Wi-Fi.

Keep the console out of closed cabinets and away from the back of a large TV, which blocks much of the signal.

Fixing Slow Downloads

Check what you pay for. The PS5 cannot download faster than your plan. Run a speed test on a phone next to the console to compare; see how much internet speed do you need.

Check the signal at the console. If the Connection Status shows weak signal or the test is far below your plan, the Wi-Fi link is the bottleneck; see how to check Wi-Fi signal strength.

Download in rest mode. PS5 downloads continue in rest mode when the internet connection is enabled under the power-saving settings, often faster because no game is running. Let big updates run overnight.

Pause other heavy traffic. Cloud backups and streams on other devices share the connection. QoS on the router can prioritise the console; see best router settings for gaming.

Restart the router. It clears a stuck router and may move it to a better channel; see how to reboot your router.

Don’t expect miracles from DNS changes. Switching DNS can help when the store will not load at all, but it rarely changes download speed; see best DNS server.

Lag and NAT Problems in Online Games

Download speed and lag are different problems. Lag comes from latency and its spikes when others use the connection, and from Wi-Fi interference. The fixes are a cable or a strong 5 GHz link and bufferbloat control on the router; see best router settings for gaming and Wi-Fi interference.

If party chat or matchmaking fails, check the NAT type in the connection test. Type 3 (strict) usually means UPnP is off or there is a second router in front of yours; see NAT type strict and double NAT.

Wi-Fi or Ethernet for the PS5?

Use a cable whenever you can. Ethernet gives the steadiest latency and the full speed of your plan up to 1 Gbps, with no interference. If the router is in another room, a powerline adapter or a mesh unit with an Ethernet port next to the console is the next best option. Use Wi-Fi when the console is in the same room as the router or a mesh unit; see Ethernet vs Wi-Fi.