Get Your Free PS5 Download Speed Guide

Understanding PS5 Connection Speed Basics

Internet speed plays a crucial role in how well your PlayStation 5 performs. When you stream games, play online multiplayer, or get PS5 software updates, your connection speed determines how quickly data travels between your console and PlayStation's servers. Think of internet speed like a water pipe—a larger pipe lets more water flow through, and faster internet lets more data flow through to your console.

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PS5 consoles can connect to the internet in two ways: through Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi is wireless and convenient, but Ethernet cables provide more stable, faster connections because they create a direct line between your console and your internet router. Most households with a PS5 use Wi-Fi, but for competitive gaming or large file transfers, Ethernet is often the better choice.

Speed gets measured in megabits per second, or Mbps. This tells you how many millions of bits of data your connection can send or receive each second. Your internet provider gives you a certain speed tier when you sign up for service. For example, basic plans might offer 50 Mbps, while faster plans offer 200 Mbps or more. The speed you pay for is not always the speed you get—real-world factors like distance from the router, interference from walls, and network congestion all affect your actual speeds.

PlayStation recommends different speeds for different activities. For basic online gaming, Sony suggests at least 5 Mbps download speed. For 4K video streaming or downloading large games, 12 Mbps or higher works better. Many PS5 games today are 50 to 100+ gigabytes in size, so download speed directly impacts how long you wait before playing.

Practical takeaway: Before checking your actual speed, understand that internet speed matters for PS5 performance, and knowing your baseline helps you identify problems.

How to Test Your PS5 Download Speed

Your PS5 includes a built-in tool to measure your connection speed. This tool runs a test that shows you both your download and upload speeds—download speed is what matters most for gaming, while upload speed affects how well others see you in online games. The test takes about one minute and provides real data about what your console can actually do right now.

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To run a speed test on your PS5, go to Settings, then select Network, and choose Test Internet Connection. The console will run a quick test and show you results for both download and upload speeds. Write these numbers down or take a screenshot so you can compare them over time. Testing at different times of day can show you how your speeds change—for instance, speeds often drop in the evening when neighbors are also using the internet.

You can also use third-party speed testing websites from your phone or computer to compare results. Websites like speedtest.net or fast.com measure your household internet speed from any device. These tests help you see if your PS5 is getting the same speed as your other devices, or if something is limiting just the console. If your phone gets 100 Mbps but your PS5 only gets 20 Mbps, the problem is likely Wi-Fi signal strength or interference.

Speed test results show three key numbers: download speed (the main one for gaming), upload speed, and ping time. Ping time, measured in milliseconds or ms, shows how long it takes data to make a round trip from your console to a server and back. Lower ping is better—anything under 50 ms is good for gaming, though under 20 ms is ideal for competitive games. High ping causes lag where your actions feel delayed in games.

Run tests multiple times over several days to get an accurate picture. One slow test might be a fluke, but if tests consistently show low speeds, you have a real issue to address. Record the time of day and your location (near the router or far away) so you can spot patterns.

Practical takeaway: Use your PS5's built-in speed test tool regularly to track your actual speeds, and compare results from different times and locations to identify patterns.

Factors That Affect Your PS5 Download Speed

Many things can slow down your internet speed, and understanding these factors helps you fix problems. Distance from your Wi-Fi router is one of the biggest issues—Wi-Fi signals get weaker the farther away you are. If your PS5 sits in a basement while your router is upstairs, the signal has to travel through floors and walls, which weakens it significantly. Moving your console closer to the router, or moving the router to a more central location, can boost speeds noticeably.

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Physical barriers block Wi-Fi signals. Walls, especially thick walls or those made with metal studs, reduce signal strength. Water also blocks Wi-Fi—aquariums, water heaters, and even the moisture in wet walls can interfere. Metal objects like filing cabinets, aluminum foil, and even some types of insulation reflect Wi-Fi signals away from your devices. If possible, position your router away from these obstacles and aim the antennas differently if yours have adjustable antennas.

Interference from other devices causes speed drops too. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, and garage door openers all operate on the same 2.4 GHz frequency that many Wi-Fi routers use. When multiple devices broadcast on the same frequency, they create interference that disrupts your connection. Modern routers can switch to the 5 GHz frequency, which has less interference but shorter range. The 6 GHz band on newer Wi-Fi 6E routers offers even less congestion.

Network congestion happens when too many people use your internet at once. If your household has five people streaming video, running video calls, and gaming simultaneously, speeds drop for everyone. Internet providers sell speeds based on peak usage, but if too many neighbors connect at the same time, your speed can slow down. This is why speeds often drop in evenings between 7 PM and 10 PM when most people are home.

Your internet router itself matters. Older routers from five or more years ago have outdated technology that doesn't support modern speeds. If your internet provider gave you a router many years ago, upgrading to a newer model—especially Wi-Fi 6 routers—can improve speeds significantly. Similarly, if your router is placed in a closet, cabinet, or corner, moving it to an open, elevated location helps its signal reach further.

Practical takeaway: Test your speeds from different locations in your home, at different times of day, and after moving potential interference sources to identify which factors are limiting your speed.

Ways to Improve Your PS5 Internet Speed

If your speed tests show slower speeds than you expect, several practical steps can help. First, try moving your PS5 closer to your router or moving your router to a better location—this is the easiest and often most effective fix. If physical relocation isn't possible, try using a wired Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Even a 50-foot Ethernet cable is inexpensive and runs along walls. Wired connections eliminate interference and usually provide faster, more stable speeds.

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Restart your router regularly. Routers are small computers that can slow down over time as they process data. Unplugging your router for 30 seconds, waiting, and plugging it back in resets it and often improves speeds. Some people do this monthly; others do it whenever speeds feel slow. Also restart your PS5 between gaming sessions—this clears the console's memory and can help it perform better.

Check your Wi-Fi frequency settings if your router allows it. Most routers broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously. The 5 GHz band is faster and has less interference, though it doesn't reach as far. On your PS5, go to Settings, Network, Wi-Fi, and look for your network name. If you see two versions (one might say "5G" or have a different name), try connecting to the 5 GHz version. The trade-off is shorter range, so you need to be closer to the router.

Reduce interference by moving or turning off devices that might interfere with Wi-Fi. Microwave ovens cause temporary interference when running—if you're downloading a large game and someone uses the microwave, pause the transfer until they're done. Move cordless phones and baby monitors away from your gaming area. These steps might seem minor, but they can mean the difference between 30 Mbps and 60 Mbps speeds.