{"id":36967,"date":"2026-03-16T00:43:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=36967"},"modified":"2026-10-09T04:39:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T11:39:47","slug":"dns-for-playstation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve never changed the DNS settings on your PS5, the console is likely using your ISP\u2019s default servers. Even when your internet connection is stable, default DNS can cause matches to drop for no reason, game updates to time out, and \u201cCan\u2019t connect to the server\u201d errors to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Changing your DNS settings can help when your PlayStation has trouble connecting to online services.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ll take a look at how DNS works, how to change your DNS settings on PS4 and PS5, and what to do if you\u2019re experiencing connection errors. We\u2019ll also explore what changing your DNS can and can\u2019t do for your privacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"pia-toc-block wp-block-privacynews-toc-pia\"><div class=\"pia-toc\" data-pia-toc><div class=\"pia-toc-header\"><div class=\"pia-toc-title\"><svg width=\"15\" height=\"15\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><line x1=\"8\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"6\"><\/line><line x1=\"8\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"12\"><\/line><line x1=\"8\" y1=\"18\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"18\"><\/line><line x1=\"3\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"3.01\" y2=\"6\"><\/line><line x1=\"3\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"3.01\" y2=\"12\"><\/line><line x1=\"3\" y1=\"18\" x2=\"3.01\" y2=\"18\"><\/line><\/svg>Table of Contents<\/div><span class=\"pia-toc-count\">7 sections<\/span><\/div><div class=\"pia-toc-divider\"><\/div><ol><li><a href=\"#h-how-does-dns-work-on-ps5\">How Does DNS Work on PS5?<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-why-change-dns-settings-on-ps5-and-ps4\">Why Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4?<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#PopularDNS\">Popular DNS Servers for PlayStation<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#HowtoChange\">How to Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Troubleshooting\">Troubleshooting PlayStation DNS and Connection Errors<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-ps5-dns-privacy-considerations\">PS5 DNS Privacy Considerations<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-faq\">FAQ<svg class=\"pia-chev\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-does-dns-work-on-ps5\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does DNS Work on PS5?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"829\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-1024x829.png\" alt=\"An infographic showing the role of DNS on PS5.\" class=\"wp-image-36978\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-1024x829.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-300x243.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-768x621.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-1536x1243.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-2048x1657.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-DNS-Works-Behind-the-Scenes-1-1200x971.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your PS4 or PS5 connects to an online game (or anything else you\u2019re trying to access online via your console, such as a website or an app), it needs to find the server it communicates with. This is where the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/what-is-dns\/\">Domain Name System (DNS)<\/a> comes in.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, when you start an online game such as <em>Call of Duty<\/em>, your console needs to find the IP address of the game server it wants to connect to. <strong>Your console sends a DNS request to its DNS resolver, which looks up the relevant IP address and returns it to the console.<\/strong> The console can then use that address to establish the connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public DNS resolvers such as Cloudflare are available for anyone to use, whereas private DNS resolvers are usually for specific networks, such as those operated by a business or school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-record-types\/\">DNS Record Types Explained: A Practical Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-why-change-dns-settings-on-ps5-and-ps4\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By default, your console uses a DNS server provided by your internet provider. You may want to change this for several reasons, including to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Troubleshoot DNS issues:<\/strong> Switching can help determine whether your current DNS server is contributing to connection problems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improve performance:<\/strong> DNS response times can vary depending on your location, network, and the service you use. Using another one may work better on your network.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boost privacy and reduce online footprint:<\/strong> The resolver you use receives the domains your console requests, but different services vary in what they retain and for how long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-does-changing-dns-improve-gaming-performance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does Changing DNS Improve Gaming Performance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A DNS resolver that responds quickly <strong>may reduce the time it takes your PS5 to complete a DNS lookup<\/strong> when connecting to an online service. For example, it may reduce the initial delay when signing in to PlayStation Network or joining an online game.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, once your device establishes the connection, DNS doesn\u2019t determine the latency of the ongoing connection. <strong>Changing DNS won\u2019t increase your internet speed or reduce lag during gameplay.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-how-to-check-your-current-dns-settings\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Check Your Current DNS Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re unsure which DNS server your PS4 or PS5 is currently using, go to <em>Settings<\/em> &gt; <em>Network<\/em> and look for the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS values in your connection details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"PopularDNS\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Popular DNS Servers for PlayStation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While there are many free public DNS services available, below are some of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-gaming\/\">widely used DNS servers for gaming<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr style=\"background-color: #88E47B\"><td><strong>DNS Provider<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Primary IP<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Secondary IP<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Data Logging<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"background-color: #E2E2E3;\"><strong>Cloudflare<\/strong><\/td><td>1.1.1.1<\/td><td>1.0.0.1<\/td><td>Cloudflare doesn\u2019t store source IP addresses in persistent storage and it deletes limited resolver logs within 25 hours<sup>1<\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"background-color: #E2E2E3;\"><strong>Google Public DNS<\/strong><\/td><td>8.8.8.8<\/td><td>8.8.4.4<\/td><td>Google temporarily logs client IP addresses and erases them within 48 hours, while it retains some anonymized network and location data for a longer period of time<sup>2<\/sup><\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"background-color: #E2E2E3;\"><strong>Cisco OpenDNS<\/strong><\/td><td>208.67.222.222\u00a0<\/td><td>208.67.220.220<\/td><td>Personal data may be collected and stored but Cisco doesn\u2019t specify its retention period<sup>3<\/sup><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each service provides a primary and a secondary DNS address. You enter both when configuring DNS on your console to provide an alternative address to use if the primary one isn\u2019t available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"HowtoChange\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process is largely the same on both consoles, with a few differences in menu names and settings. First, check your current DNS settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that the images below show the PS5 process, with the PS4 differences noted in the steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From the home screen, select the gear icon in the top right corner to open <em>Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-1024x576.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 home screen with the settings icon highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-35.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose <em>Network<\/em> from the list of options.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-33.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Settings page with the Network option highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-33.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-33-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-33-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Next, select <em>Set Up Internet Connection<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1024x576-1.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Network settings page with Set Up Internet Connection highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1024x576-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-300x169-1.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-768x432-1.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1536x864-1.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1200x675-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>On PS5:<\/strong> Click on the <em>Options<\/em> button on your controller and a pop-up window will appear. Select <em>Advanced<\/em>.\u00a0<br><br><strong>On PS4:<\/strong> Select <em>Wi-Fi<\/em> or <em>LAN Cable<\/em>, then <em>Custom<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1024x576.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Set Up Internet Connection settings page with instructions to press the Option button and select Advanced from the pop-up window.\" class=\"wp-image-43086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-34.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PS4 only:<\/strong> Set your IP Address Settings to <em>Automatic<\/em>, DHCP Host Name to <em>Do Not Specify<\/em>, and MTU settings to <em>Automatic<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find your DNS Settings option and change this from <em>Automatic<\/em> to <em>Manual<\/em>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-1024x576.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Advanced Settings page with the DNS Settings option highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-36.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7. Enter your preferred <em><\/em>Primary DNS and Secondary DNS addresses and click <em>OK<\/em> to save your changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40-1024x576.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Advanced Settings screen with the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS options highlighted with DNS Settings set to Manual.\" class=\"wp-image-43095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-40.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8. <strong>PS4 only:<\/strong> When prompted for a Proxy Server, select <em>Do Not Use<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p><strong>Tech tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re looking to revert to your previous DNS settings, return to your <em>DNS Settings<\/em> and change the option from <em>Manual<\/em> to <em>Automatic<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"HowtoVerify\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Verify Your New DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After changing your DNS settings, here\u2019s how you can check that your console is using the new addresses and ensure it can still connect to the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Go to <em>Settings<\/em> and select <em>Network<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. Scroll to (and select) <em>View Connection Status<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-37.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Network settings page with the View Connection Status option highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-37.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-37-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-37-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3. Check that the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS addresses match what you entered earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-41.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 View Connection Status page with the DNS information highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-41.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-41-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-41-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. Return to the <em>Network<\/em> menu and choose <em>Test Internet Connection<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38.png\" alt=\" A screenshot of the PS5 Network settings page with the Test Internet Connection option highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-38-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5. If the test completes successfully, your console is connected using the new network settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-39.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the PS5 Test Internet Connection page with the Internet connection Successful message highlighted.\" class=\"wp-image-43094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-39.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-39-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-39-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p><strong>Tech tip:<\/strong> The connection test also shows your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/change-nat-type-ps5\/\">PlayStation\u2019s NAT Type<\/a>, which can help identify other network-related problems that changing DNS won\u2019t resolve.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Troubleshooting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Troubleshooting PlayStation DNS and Connection Errors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re experiencing a connection or DNS problem, it\u2019s worth starting with basic troubleshooting. Restart your console and router, then run <em>Test Internet Connection<\/em> to see whether it\u2019s resolved the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the issue persists, use the table below to identify the problem and the next steps to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr style=\"background-color: #88E47B\"><td><strong>Issue\u00a0<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Likely Cause<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Try This<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DNS errors or delays when connecting to online services<\/td><td>DNS server is unavailable or slow to respond<\/td><td>Check that your DNS addresses are correct, try another DNS server, or switch back to <em>Automatic<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Can\u2019t sign in to PSN or access online games, but other devices have internet<\/td><td>PlayStation Network issue or a problem with the console\u2019s network configuration<\/td><td>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/status.playstation.com\">PSN status page<\/a> for outages and if PSN is working, review your console\u2019s network settings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>The connection keeps dropping, or games disconnect during play<\/td><td>Temporary console, router, or network issue<\/td><td>If you\u2019re using Wi-Fi, move the console closer to the router or switch to a wired connection<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-server-not-responding\/\">How to Fix the \u2018DNS Server Not Responding\u2019 Error<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/no-network-connection\/\">No Network Connection? Quick Fixes That Actually Work<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-ps5-dns-privacy-considerations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">PS5 DNS Privacy Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Changing your DNS provider can affect who handles your DNS requests<\/strong> and what happens to information about those requests. However, switching providers doesn\u2019t encrypt your DNS traffic, which means the domain names in those requests can be read by parties on the network path, including your ISP.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some providers do support encrypted DNS protocols such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-over-https\/\">DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)<\/a> or DNS-over-TLS (DoT), which makes it harder for anyone to read this data. However, while PlayStation lets you choose a DNS server, it doesn\u2019t let you configure encrypted DNS protocols.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"UsingaVPN\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using a VPN for Encrypted DNS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/gaming-vpn\/playstation-vpn\">VPN with your PlayStation<\/a> adds privacy by <strong>encrypting your DNS requests along with your console\u2019s internet traffic<\/strong>. Together, these features make it harder for your ISP or others on the network to see what you\u2019re doing online, including what games you\u2019re playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While PlayStation consoles don\u2019t support VPN apps, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/router-vpn\">configure PIA on a compatible router<\/a>. Your PlayStation and other devices connected to the router can use the encrypted VPN connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PIA uses its own private DNS servers by default when you\u2019re connected to the VPN<\/strong>, so your DNS requests can be handled by PIA rather than a separate DNS service. PIA also has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/no-logs-vpn\">strict No-Logs policy<\/a> that covers DNS requests and other information about your browsing activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-vs-vpn\/\">DNS vs. VPN vs. Smart DNS: Which One Do You Need?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-faq\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1791545196212\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does a DNS error on the PS5 mean?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A DNS error means your PS5 couldn\u2019t resolve a domain name into an IP address or <a href=\"#Troubleshooting\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#Troubleshooting\">couldn\u2019t reach its configured DNS server<\/a>. The problem may be a result of your DNS settings, DNS provider, router, or wider network connection.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1791545234221\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I fix \u201cA DNS server cannot be used\u201d on PS5?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Check that the DNS addresses you entered are correct, then restart your PS5 and router. If the error continues, <a href=\"#PopularDNS\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#PopularDNS\">you can try a different DNS provider<\/a> or switch DNS back to <em>Automatic<\/em> to check whether the manual settings are causing the problem.\u00a0<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1791545249187\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why does my PS5 show a DNS error when other devices connect fine?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The problem could be specific to the PS5\u2019s network settings rather than your wider connection. A mistyped DNS address or a temporary network issue can prevent the PS5 from reaching its DNS server while other devices continue to work. Try restarting the PS5, then <a href=\"#HowtoVerify\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#HowtoVerify\">check its DNS settings and connection status<\/a>.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1791545262025\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I need to enter a secondary DNS on PS5?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No, but entering a secondary DNS gives your PS5 an alternative if the primary DNS server is unavailable. For the simplest setup, use the <a href=\"#PopularDNS\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#PopularDNS\">primary and secondary addresses<\/a> from the same provider.\u00a0<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1791545276504\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I switch DNS back to Automatic if the connection test keeps failing?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, especially if the connection worked before you <a href=\"#HowtoChange\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#HowtoChange\">changed the DNS settings<\/a>. If Automatic DNS works but your manual settings don\u2019t, the DNS server may be unreachable from your network or the address may be incorrect.\u00a0<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1791545292404\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I use a Smart DNS on PS5?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/52719811693595-How-to-Set-Up-Smart-DNS-on-PlayStation\">Smart DNS can be used on PlayStation consoles<\/a>. Smart DNS only changes how a connection handles certain DNS requests. Keep in mind it\u2019s not a privacy tool and doesn\u2019t <a href=\"#UsingaVPN\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#UsingaVPN\">encrypt your traffic<\/a> or change your IP address.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/developers.cloudflare.com\/1.1.1.1\/privacy\/public-dns-resolver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Cloudflare DNS Resolver Privacy \u2013 Cloudflare<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/speed\/public-dns\/privacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Google Public DNS Privacy \u2013 Google<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opendns.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">OpenDNS Privacy Statement \u2013 OpenDNS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve never changed the DNS settings on your PS5, the console is likely using your ISP\u2019s default servers. Even when your internet connection is stable, default DNS can cause matches to drop for no reason, game updates to time out, and \u201cCan\u2019t connect to the server\u201d errors to appear. Changing your DNS settings can &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;How to Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4: A Complete Guide&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":36968,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[845],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4: Change DNS and Fix Errors | PIA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to change DNS settings on PS5 and PS4, choose a DNS server, and troubleshoot common DNS errors on PlayStation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Change DNS Settings on PS5 and PS4: A Complete Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to change DNS settings on PS5 and PS4, choose a DNS server, and troubleshoot common DNS errors on PlayStation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" 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The problem may be a result of your DNS settings, DNS provider, router, or wider network connection.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545234221\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545234221\",\"name\":\"How do I fix \\\"A DNS server cannot be used\\\" on PS5?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Check that the DNS addresses you entered are correct, then restart your PS5 and router. If the error continues, <a href=\\\"#PopularDNS\\\" type=\\\"internal\\\" id=\\\"#PopularDNS\\\">you can try a different DNS provider<\/a> or switch DNS back to <em>Automatic<\/em> to check whether the manual settings are causing the problem.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545249187\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545249187\",\"name\":\"Why does my PS5 show a DNS error when other devices connect fine?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The problem could be specific to the PS5's network settings rather than your wider connection. A mistyped DNS address or a temporary network issue can prevent the PS5 from reaching its DNS server while other devices continue to work. Try restarting the PS5, then <a href=\\\"#HowtoVerify\\\" type=\\\"internal\\\" id=\\\"#HowtoVerify\\\">check its DNS settings and connection status<\/a>.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545262025\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545262025\",\"name\":\"Do I need to enter a secondary DNS on PS5?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No, but entering a secondary DNS gives your PS5 an alternative if the primary DNS server is unavailable. 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The problem may be a result of your DNS settings, DNS provider, router, or wider network connection.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545234221","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545234221","name":"How do I fix \"A DNS server cannot be used\" on PS5?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Check that the DNS addresses you entered are correct, then restart your PS5 and router. If the error continues, <a href=\"#PopularDNS\" type=\"internal\" id=\"#PopularDNS\">you can try a different DNS provider<\/a> or switch DNS back to <em>Automatic<\/em> to check whether the manual settings are causing the problem.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545249187","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545249187","name":"Why does my PS5 show a DNS error when other devices connect fine?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The problem could be specific to the PS5's network settings rather than your wider connection. A mistyped DNS address or a temporary network issue can prevent the PS5 from reaching its DNS server while other devices continue to work. 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If Automatic DNS works but your manual settings don't, the DNS server may be unreachable from your network or the address may be incorrect.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545292404","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/dns-for-playstation\/#faq-question-1791545292404","name":"Can I use a Smart DNS on PS5?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/52719811693595-How-to-Set-Up-Smart-DNS-on-PlayStation\">Smart DNS can be used on PlayStation consoles<\/a>. Smart DNS only changes how a connection handles certain DNS requests. 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