To make PS5 games download faster, you need to focus on two things: a wired Ethernet connection and optimized Wi-Fi settings. These are the most impactful changes you can make to maximize your existing internet speed and stop waiting for downloads to finish.
Use a wired Ethernet connection
Connecting your PS5 directly to your router with an Ethernet cable is the single best fix for slow downloads. A wired connection provides maximum speed and stability, eliminating the interference and signal loss that can slow down Wi-Fi. For optimal performance, use a Cat6 or Cat6a Ethernet cable.
- Go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection.
- Select Set Up Wired LAN, then choose Connect.
Once connected, your PS5 will automatically prioritize the wired connection, giving you the most reliable and consistent download speeds possible.
Force a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection (if you can't use wired)
If you cannot run an Ethernet cable, switching to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band is the next best option. The 5GHz band offers higher data throughput and faster speeds than the 2.4GHz band, especially when your console is close to the router.
- Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
- Hover over your Wi-Fi network, press the Options button on your controller.
- Select 5GHz under Wi-Fi Frequency Bands.
This forces your PS5 to use the faster band, which can significantly improve download speeds for wireless users.
Restart your PS5 and router
A simple power cycle can clear temporary network glitches that cause unexplained slowdowns. Restarting both your PS5 and your router refreshes the network connection and often resolves issues that slow downloads.
To restart your PS5, go to the power menu and select Restart PS5. For your router, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully reboot before restarting your console.
Pause other downloads and close games
To make PlayStation download faster, you need to dedicate your console's full bandwidth and processing power to a single download. Pause all other active downloads in your queue and close any running games or applications.
- Go to the Downloads section from the Home screen.
- Select each active download and choose Pause.
- Press the PS button, go to the Control Center, and close any running games or apps by selecting Close.
This prevents competition for resources and ensures your PS5 prioritizes the game you want to download first.
Put your PS5 in Rest Mode for faster downloads
When your PS5 is in Rest Mode, it dedicates more system resources to downloads by suspending other power-intensive tasks, which can lead to quicker completion times. To speed up PS5 downloads using this method, you must enable the correct setting.
- Go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Toggle Stay Connected to the Internet to On.
Once enabled, put your PS5 into Rest Mode. It will continue downloading while using less power, often resulting in faster overall speeds.
Change to a public DNS server
Changing your DNS settings to public servers can improve name resolution and connection stability, potentially enhancing download speeds by bypassing ISP-specific issues. While this doesn't increase your raw internet speed, it can optimize how your console connects to servers. Consider using public DNS servers, such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS.
- Select your connection type (Wi-Fi or LAN), then choose Custom.
- Set DNS Settings to Manual.
- Enter the Primary and Secondary DNS addresses. For Google DNS, use 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. For Cloudflare DNS, use 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
Complete the remaining steps to finish the setup. This can help optimize your connection without requiring a faster internet plan.
Download during off-peak hours
Network congestion can slow down speeds, especially during evenings when many users are online. Scheduling large downloads for late night or early morning can result in faster completion times because there is less internet traffic. This strategy works well with Rest Mode, allowing you to start downloads before bed and wake up to finished games.
Optimize your Wi-Fi signal and network
For wireless users, reducing the physical distance and obstacles between your console and router improves signal strength. Position your PS5 closer to the Wi-Fi router and minimize network congestion by temporarily disconnecting other bandwidth-heavy devices during a download. This frees up bandwidth and helps your PS5 achieve the best possible wireless speed.
Keep your PS5 system software updated
Sony regularly releases system software updates that can include performance enhancements and network stability improvements, which may positively impact download speeds. To check for updates, go to Settings > System > System Software Update and Settings and select Update System Software. Keeping your console up to date ensures you benefit from the latest optimizations.
Understand your internet plan's limits
The maximum download speed on your PS5 is dictated by your internet service provider plan. A good internet speed to upload & download files for optimal PS5 performance is 50-100 Mbps. The PS5's network port supports up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) over Ethernet, so if your plan is slower than that, it is the ultimate bottleneck. If you consistently experience slow speeds despite trying all other fixes, you may need to upgrade your internet plan to see real improvement.
