I was immersed in the epic Battle Royale of Call of Duty Warzone 2.0 on my PS4 last evening.
Hiding in a building, I had an enemy on target from the window.
Just when I was about to shoot, the game lagged suddenly and I was disconnected from the COD servers.
Though frustrated, I still tried to find out what exactly went wrong and discovered that my PS was disconnected from WiFi.
I tried reconnecting it again but it kept disconnecting after a few minutes.
Naturally, I turned to Google for help and instantly got several discussion threads and solution articles open on my browser.
Going through each one of them, I came across a lot of folks facing similar issues who had to factory reset their PS losing all the game data.
I found the easiest way to fix my PS4 disconnecting from WiFi and a console setting to prevent it from happening again. Here’s how:
If PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFi, eliminate possible wireless interference. Turn off nearby wireless devices and move the WiFi router to the same room as your PlayStation.
Remove Wireless Interference
The most common reason why your PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFi is due to any signal interference.
As the WiFi works with wireless radio wave technology, wireless devices that interfere with the WiFi signal can reduce or affect your signal strength.
An effective way to reduce or completely eliminate signal interference is turning off nearby electronic devices such as cordless phones, baby monitors, radios, etc.
Alternatively, interference can also occur if your WiFi signal goes through thick walls, furniture, or other physical objects.
If possible, move your WiFi router to the same room as your PlayStation to avoid interference due to physical barriers.
Select a Preferred Frequency Band
Both PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro support 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
However, older PS4 Original models only have a 2.4 GHz frequency band support.
One of the major reasons why your PS4 might keep disconnecting from WiFi is due to automatic switching between both frequency bands.
Though it’s meant to provide you with the best network connection available, this setting often leads to in-game lags or loss of connection for a few seconds.
In case you have a dual-band router, I’d highly recommend selecting a preferred frequency band from the console settings.
This ensures that your PlayStation won’t automatically try to switch between bands and cause network disruptions.
To help you choose better, the 2.4 GHz band offers a better coverage area with comparatively slower speeds, and the 5 GHz band offers a lesser coverage area with high-speed internet.
You can try both bands to verify what works best for you.
Here’s how to select a Frequency band on your PS4:
- Click on the Settings icon and navigate to Network
- Now go to Set Up Internet Connection > Use Wifi > Easy
- After the network list appears on the screen, select your WiFi network and click on the Options button as mentioned at the bottom left of the screen
- Finally, select your preferred frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)
- Your PS4 should stop disconnecting from WiFi
Power Cycle your Console & WiFi Router
A traditional power cycle can help fix any connection issues between your router and PS4.
It can even fix any minor bugs or glitches that may lead to WiFi issues.
PlayStation 4: Power Cycle Guide
- Press and hold the power button of your PS4 until it beeps twice
- Once the console is turned off, unplug it from the power outlet
- Wait for at least 60 seconds
- Plug it back in and restart the console
Power Cycle your WiFi Router
- Unplug your router from the power outlet
- Wait for about 30 seconds and then plug it back in
- Now try connecting your PS4 to the WiFi and check if it’s working normally
Try Restarting/Reinstalling The Game
It’s possible that the network lags may be limited to a specific game due to any software bugs.
In this case, you may want to try restarting the game and check if the issue persists.
You can also try playing a different online game and check if it’s facing any similar network issues during gameplay.
If the other game works properly, then the WiFi issue might be related to that specific game title.
If that’s the case, you need to reinstall it on your PS4.
Here’s how:
- To start with, select the game you’re having network issues with from the Main Menu
- Once the game is highlighted, press the Options button on your PS4 controller
- From the Options menu, select Delete
- Confirm your choice to delete the game from PS4
- Once the uninstall is complete, reinstall your game from a physical disc or via PlayStation Store
- Restart your PS4 and try playing it again
Change the DNS Settings on PS4
If your PS4 still keeps disconnecting from WiFi, you can try modifying the DNS settings.
While a DNS server is usually assigned by default based on your service provider, if it’s not optimal with your location, it may lead to high ping, latency issues, or disconnecting WiFi.
Follow these steps to change the DNS settings on PS4:
- In the PS4 Settings, go to the Network section
- Now select Set Up Internet Connection and choose WiFi from the option menu
- Select Custom and go to Automatic IP Address Settings
- Select your preferred network and click on Automatic for IP address settings
- Select Do Not Specify for DHCP Host Name
- Now, select Manual on DNS Settings
- Replace the Primary DNS values with 8.8.8.8 while Secondary DNS with 8.8.4.4 (Google’s DNS)
- You can also set Primary DNS values as 1.1.1.1 and Secondary DNS values as 1.0.0.1 (Cloud Flare DNS)
- Choose Automatic for MTU Settings and select Do not use Proxy Server
- Finally, click on Test your internet connection
Set A Static IP Address for PS4
Your PS4’s IP Address is set to dynamic by default.
This implies that every time you restart the router or console, a new IP address is assigned.
A dynamic IP address may cause network issues that can be solved by assigning a static IP for your PS4
Use this simple guide to set up a static IP for PS4:
- Open Settings > Network > View Connection Status
- Click a picture or note down all the information on the screen
- Now go back to the Network settings menu and select Set up internet connection
- Select WiFi and click on Custom
- Go to Manual and enter all the connection details you noted earlier including the IP Address
- Finally, click Next and confirm
This will set up a static IP for your PS4 ensuring a more stable connection during gameplay.
Full Reset your PS4
If none of the above solutions helped solve the WiFi issue, you can opt for a full reset.
This will reset all network settings to default and delete the stored data as well.
Here’s how to reset your PS4:
- Click on the Settings icon
- Navigate down to Initialization and select it
- Now click on Initialize PS4
- You’ll have two options to either Quick or Full reset your PS based on your choice.
- Though it may take some time, I’d recommend going for a Full reset to solve wireless connection issues
- Once you’ve selected your preferred reset, click on Initialize and wait for the PS4 system to restart
After the full reset is complete, you’ll have to set up your PS4 again including adding a WiFi network.
Connect With Sony Support
If your PS4 still keeps disconnecting from WiFi, you can get in touch with Sony Support with a detailed problem description.
You can chat with a PlayStation expert to describe your problem.
Based on the description, the expert would suggest the best available troubleshooting tips that may help solve your problem.
However, if there’s a hardware malfunction with your console’s WiFi card or any other internal component, you may need to go for an authorized repair service.
SMART Suggestion: Use an Ethernet Cable Instead of WiFI on PS4
If none of the above solutions worked at all, I’d highly recommend connecting your PS4 with an ethernet cable for the best connectivity.
Ethernet cables not only provide a stable connection but also offer the best internet speed optimal for online games.
Follow this simple guide to connect an ethernet cable on PS4:
- Connect the ethernet cable to the ethernet ports of your PS4 and WiFi router
- Turn both PS4 and the router on
- Now open the PS4 Settings
- Finally, go to Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use LAN Cable > Easy
Game On
If your PlayStation 4 repeatedly disconnects from WiFi, it may be due to wireless interference.
Turn off nearby electronic devices and prefer keeping your WiFi router in the same room as your console.
In the PS4 Settings, set a preferred frequency band to ensure that WiFi issues don’t persist.
If the frequency band is set to automatic, PS4 may try to switch between both bands causing games to lag or restart due to network error.
If the network issues are limited to a specific game, try reinstalling it and check if it’s working perfectly.
You can also verify if the issue is related to the console by playing a different game.
Modifying DNS settings and setting up a static IP address for PS4 may solve connection instability while gaming.
Using an ethernet cable instead of WiFi is highly recommended for the best online gaming experience as it provides better internet speed and stable connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a PS4 to disconnect from WiFi?
There are several potential causes for a PS4 to disconnect from WiFi, including a weak or unstable connection, problems with the router or modem, and issues with the PS4 system software.
Try changing DNS settings and setting up the IP address for PS4, this can help provide a more stable connection optimal for online games.
It can also be caused by interference from other electronic devices or physical obstructions.
What to do if my PS4 keeps disconnecting from WiFI?
If your PS4 keeps disconnecting from your router, there are several steps you can take to try and fix the issue.
Some common troubleshooting steps include: restarting your router and PS4, ensuring that your PS4 is running the latest system software, and checking for any interference from other devices.
Additionally, you may want to consider purchasing a stronger router or using a wired connection instead.
How can I improve my PS4’s connection to WiFi?
To improve the connection of your PS4 to WiFi, you can try moving the PS4 closer to the router, adjusting the network settings on the PS4, and checking for system software updates.
Also, make sure that other devices that may interfere with your PS4’s connection are turned off.
Why is my PS4 connection speed slow?
A slow connection speed on the PS4 could be caused by a weak or unstable WiFi signal, high traffic on the network, or issues with the internet service provider.
It could also be a problem with the PS4 itself, such as outdated system software or a malfunctioning network card.
Can I connect my PS4 to the internet with an ethernet cable instead of WiFi?
Yes, you can connect your PS4 to the internet with an ethernet cable instead of WiFi.
This can provide a more stable and faster connection than WiFi.
The main advantage of using an ethernet cable over a WiFi connection is that as a wired connection, it offers the lowest latency during online gaming.
This is crucial for a competitor’s reaction time during gameplay.
With ethernet cables, you don’t have to worry about signal strength or network instability.
