How To Make Your PS5 Games Download Faster

Introduction

Welcome to this guide on how to make your PS5 games download faster. The PlayStation 5 is known for its powerful hardware and impressive graphical capabilities, but the download speeds can sometimes be a bit frustrating. Slow download speeds can be due to various factors, such as your internet connection, network congestion, or even the PlayStation Network’s servers. However, there are several steps you can take to optimize your download speeds and get back to gaming faster.

In this article, we will cover ten strategies that can help you improve the download speed of your PS5 games. These methods range from making simple changes to your internet settings to optimizing your console’s performance. By following these tips, you can potentially save valuable time and dive into your favorite games without waiting endlessly for them to download.

Before we dive into the specific strategies, it’s important to note that the actual download speeds you can achieve are influenced by factors beyond your control. These can include your internet service provider’s (ISP) speed limits, network traffic during peak hours, and the distance between your PS5 and the servers hosting the game files. However, by implementing the following tips, you can maximize the potential download speeds available to you.

Now, let’s get started with the first strategy: checking your internet connection.

Check your internet connection

The first step to improving your PS5 game download speed is to check your internet connection. A slow or unstable connection can significantly impact download speeds, so it’s essential to ensure that you have a reliable and fast internet connection.

Start by running a speed test on your internet connection using a website or app. This will give you an idea of your current download and upload speeds. Ideally, you should have a download speed of at least 15 Mbps for optimal gaming performance. If your speed test results are significantly lower than expected, consider contacting your internet service provider to address any network issues.

It’s also worth noting that a wired connection tends to provide a more stable and faster connection compared to Wi-Fi. If you’re currently using Wi-Fi, try connecting your PS5 directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. This can help eliminate any potential Wi-Fi interference or signal strength issues that could be affecting your download speeds.

In some cases, the problem may lie with your router or modem. Consider restarting these devices to ensure they are functioning properly. You can also try connecting your PS5 to a different Ethernet port on your router or replace the Ethernet cable if you suspect a faulty connection.

Furthermore, it’s essential to eliminate any network congestion that may be slowing down your download speeds. If multiple devices are connected to your network and actively using bandwidth, it can affect your PS5’s download performance. Pause or cancel any ongoing downloads on other devices, and ask other users on your network to limit their usage during your PS5 game downloads.

By checking and optimizing your internet connection, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your available bandwidth and potentially improve your PS5 game download speeds.

Use a wired connection

One of the most effective ways to improve your PS5 game download speed is to use a wired connection instead of relying on Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi is convenient, it can be prone to interference and signal loss, which can result in slower download speeds and inconsistent performance.

By using an Ethernet cable to connect your PS5 directly to your router or modem, you can bypass the issues associated with wireless connections. A wired connection provides a stable and reliable connection, which is especially important when downloading large game files.

To set up a wired connection, you’ll need an Ethernet cable. Connect one end of the cable to the LAN port on the back of your PS5 console and the other end to an available Ethernet port on your router or modem. Make sure both devices are powered on and properly connected.

Once the wired connection is established, your PS5 will automatically detect it. You may need to adjust the network settings on your console to prioritize Ethernet over Wi-Fi, if necessary. This can usually be done through the Network Settings menu on your PS5.

Using a wired connection can provide a significant boost in download speed, as it eliminates potential interference and signal loss associated with Wi-Fi. You can expect more reliable and consistent download speeds, which is especially beneficial when downloading large game files or updates.

If running an Ethernet cable from your router to your PS5 is not feasible due to distance or other limitations, there are alternatives. Powerline adapters can be used to extend your wired connection through your electrical wiring, allowing you to connect your PS5 to the router in a different location. Alternatively, you can consider using a mesh Wi-Fi system, which provides more reliable coverage over a larger area.

By using a wired connection, you can optimize your PS5’s download speed and ensure a smooth gaming experience without any interruption or lag caused by Wi-Fi signal issues.

Pause or cancel other downloads or updates

When downloading games or updates on your PS5, it’s important to check if there are any other downloads or updates running in the background. These concurrent downloads can consume network bandwidth and result in slower download speeds for your game.

To maximize your PS5 game download speed, it is recommended to pause or cancel any other active downloads or updates. This will allow your console to prioritize the download you want to complete, rather than splitting the available bandwidth among multiple tasks.

To check if there are any ongoing downloads or updates on your PS5, navigate to the Home screen and go to the ‘Downloads’ section. Here, you will see a list of all active and pending downloads. You can pause or cancel any downloads or updates that are not essential at the moment.

If you have multiple games or updates queued for download, consider prioritizing the game you want to download first. Simply pause or cancel the other downloads until the desired game is fully downloaded. Once it’s completed, you can resume or start the other downloads.

By pausing or canceling other downloads or updates, you can allocate the maximum download bandwidth to the game you want to download, resulting in faster download speeds. It’s a simple but effective way to optimize your PS5’s download performance.

It’s worth noting that your PS5 will automatically prioritize critical system updates. Therefore, it is not recommended to cancel or pause system updates, as they may include important security patches or feature enhancements. However, for game updates or other non-essential downloads, pausing or canceling them can help improve your PS5 game download speed.

Once you’ve paused or canceled the unnecessary downloads and updates, you can monitor the progress of your desired download in the ‘Downloads’ section. You should see an improvement in the download speed, allowing you to start playing your game sooner.

Clear cache and delete unnecessary files

Over time, your PS5’s cache can accumulate temporary and obsolete files, which can impact its performance, including download speeds. Clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary files can help optimize your console’s storage and potentially improve the download speed of your PS5 games.

To clear the cache on your PS5, follow these steps:

1. Power off your PS5 completely, either by navigating to the Power menu and selecting ‘Turn Off PS5‘ or by holding down the power button on the console until it shuts down.
2. Once the console is fully powered off, unplug the power cable from the back of your PS5 and wait for at least 30 seconds.
3. After the 30-second interval, plug the power cable back in and turn on your PS5.

By performing a power cycle, you effectively clear the cache, which can help improve system performance, including download speeds.

In addition to clearing the cache, it’s also essential to delete unnecessary files and games to free up storage space. The more free space your PS5 has on its storage drive, the better its performance will be, including download speeds.

To delete unnecessary files and games:

1. Navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu on your PS5.
2. Select ‘Storage’ and then choose ‘Console Storage’ or ‘Extended Storage,’ depending on where your games are stored.
3. Within the storage menu, you will see a list of games and applications installed on your PS5. Select the ones you no longer need or play and choose the ‘Delete’ option.
4. Confirm the deletion process to remove the selected files from your console’s storage.

By freeing up storage space and removing unnecessary files and games, you create more room for new downloads, allowing for faster download speeds on your PS5.

Regularly clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary files will not only help optimize your PS5’s performance but also ensure efficient use of its storage and improve download speeds for your games.

Put your PS5 in Rest Mode

Putting your PS5 in Rest Mode can actually help improve the download speed of your games. Rest Mode is a power-saving mode that allows your console to perform certain tasks while consuming less power. By utilizing Rest Mode during the download process, you can potentially achieve faster download speeds.

When your PS5 is in Rest Mode, it continues to download games and updates in the background, even when you’re not actively using the console. This eliminates any potential interruptions or performance bottlenecks that may occur when downloading games while the console is in use.

To put your PS5 in Rest Mode:

1. Navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu on your PS5.
2. Select ‘Power Saving’ and then choose ‘Set Functions Available in Rest Mode’.
3. Enable the option ‘Stay Connected to the Internet’ to ensure that your PS5 remains online and continues downloading games in Rest Mode.
4. Go back to the ‘Power Saving’ menu and select ‘Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode’ to specify how long your console should remain idle before entering Rest Mode. Select a suitable timeframe based on your preferences.

Once your PS5 is in Rest Mode, it will continue to download games and updates in the background. You can monitor the progress of the downloads by navigating to the ‘Notifications’ section or checking the ‘Downloads’ section on the Home screen after exiting Rest Mode.

By utilizing Rest Mode during the download process, you can take advantage of uninterrupted downloading, potentially leading to faster overall download speeds. It allows your PS5 to devote more resources to the download task and can be especially beneficial when downloading larger game files or updates.

Keep in mind that Rest Mode is also useful for system updates, as it ensures that your console stays connected to the internet and downloads any necessary updates automatically while in Rest Mode.

Utilizing Rest Mode during game downloads is an effective way to optimize the download speed of your PS5 and get you gaming faster.

Close background applications

When downloading games on your PS5, it’s a good practice to close any unnecessary background applications that may be running. These applications can consume system resources and network bandwidth, potentially slowing down your download speeds.

Background applications can include games or apps that are still running in the background, or even streaming services or music players that are actively using your internet connection. By closing these applications, you free up system resources and network bandwidth, allowing your PS5 to allocate more resources to the download process.

To close background applications on your PS5:

1. Press the PS button on your controller to bring up the Control Center.
2. Navigate to the running applications section, which is located on the right side of the Control Center.
3. Select the application you want to close and press the Options button on your controller.
4. Choose the “Close” option to terminate the application.

By closing unnecessary background applications, you ensure that your PS5 has maximum resources available for the game download. This can lead to faster download speeds and a smoother downloading experience.

If you’re not sure which applications are running in the background, you can also perform a full system restart. This will close all applications and start the downloading process with a clean slate. To restart your PS5, navigate to the Home screen, go to the power menu, and select the “Restart PS5” option.

It’s important to note that some applications, such as system processes or essential services, may continue running in the background and cannot be closed manually. However, closing non-essential applications that you are not actively using can still help optimize your PS5’s performance.

By actively closing background applications, you can ensure that your PS5 has the necessary resources and network bandwidth to maximize download speed. This will help you get back to playing your games faster and reduce any potential frustrations caused by slow downloads.

Change DNS settings

Changing the Domain Name System (DNS) settings on your PS5 can potentially improve your download speeds. The DNS server converts website addresses into IP addresses, allowing your console to connect to the internet. By using a faster and more reliable DNS server, you can optimize your network connection and potentially experience faster download speeds.

To change DNS settings on your PS5, follow these steps:

1. From the Home screen, go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
2. Select ‘Network’ and then choose ‘Settings’.
3. Under the ‘Set Up Internet Connection’ section, choose either ‘Wi-Fi’ or ‘LAN Cable’, depending on your network connection type.
4. Select ‘Custom’ to manually configure your network settings.
5. On the IP Address settings screen, choose ‘Automatic’ for both IP Address Settings and DHCP Host Name.
6. When you reach the DNS settings screen, select ‘Manual’ instead of ‘Automatic’.
7. Enter the primary and secondary DNS server addresses. You can use popular public DNS servers such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8 for primary and 8.8.4.4 for secondary) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 for primary and 1.0.0.1 for secondary).
8. Proceed with the remaining steps, following the on-screen instructions, to complete the network setup process.

By changing your DNS settings to a faster and more reliable DNS server, you may experience improved download speeds on your PS5. This is because a faster DNS server can reduce the time it takes for your console to connect to game servers and initiate the download process.

In addition to improving download speeds, changing DNS settings can also potentially reduce latency or lag during online gaming sessions. This can result in a smoother and more responsive gaming experience overall.

If you’re unsure about which DNS server to use, you can research and experiment with different options to find the one that works best for your specific network and location. It’s also recommended to periodically test your download speeds after changing DNS settings to ensure the desired improvements are being achieved.

Keep in mind that changing DNS settings may not always lead to significant speed improvements, as it depends on various factors such as your internet service provider and network conditions. However, it is worth trying as a potential optimization method to enhance your PS5’s download performance.

Download during off-peak hours

Timing can play a crucial role in the download speed of your PS5 games. Downloading games during off-peak hours, when internet traffic is lower, can potentially result in faster download speeds. This is because network congestion is minimized during these times, allowing for a smoother and more efficient downloading experience.

Off-peak hours typically occur during late-night or early-morning periods when most people are asleep or less active online. The exact off-peak hours can vary depending on your location and internet service provider. To take advantage of off-peak hours for faster downloads, consider scheduling your game downloads during these periods.

By downloading games during off-peak hours, you can avoid the potential slowdowns caused by high network traffic during peak usage times. This can significantly improve your download speeds and reduce the overall time it takes to download your games.

If you’re unsure about the off-peak hours of your internet service provider, you can check with them directly or observe your internet speed and performance during different times of the day. Monitoring your download speeds at different hours can help you identify the periods with the highest and lowest network traffic.

In some cases, internet service providers also offer special plans or features that prioritize gaming traffic, providing faster download speeds specifically for gaming content. These plans may come with additional costs, but they can be worth considering if you’re a serious gamer looking for consistently fast download speeds.

Additionally, if you have the option, consider connecting your PS5 directly to your internet router using an Ethernet cable during off-peak hours. This direct wired connection can offer better stability and performance compared to Wi-Fi and further optimize your download speed.

Downloading during off-peak hours is a simple yet effective strategy to improve your PS5 game download speed. By taking advantage of lower network congestion, you can ensure faster and smoother downloads, getting you into the game sooner and minimizing any potential frustrations caused by slow download speeds.

Ensure enough storage space

Having enough storage space available on your PS5 is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and download speeds. When your storage drive becomes full, it can lead to slower download speeds and overall system performance issues. Therefore, it’s important to regularly check and ensure that you have sufficient storage space for downloading and installing new games.

To check the available storage space on your PS5:

1. From the Home screen, go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
2. Select ‘Storage’ and then choose ‘Console Storage’ or ‘Extended Storage’ if you’re using an external storage drive.
3. You will see a visual representation of your storage usage, showing how much space is available and how much is currently being used.

If you’re running low on storage space, consider deleting games or applications that you no longer play or need. You can do this by navigating to the ‘Storage’ menu, selecting ‘Console Storage’, and choosing the games or applications you want to delete.

Alternatively, you can expand your storage capacity by connecting an external USB storage drive to your PS5. This allows you to offload games and applications onto the external drive, freeing up space on the internal storage and ensuring faster download speeds for new games.

Keep in mind that not all USB storage drives are compatible with the PS5. Make sure to check the official Sony website or the PS5 user manual for the recommended specifications and compatibility guidelines before purchasing an external storage drive.

By ensuring enough storage space on your PS5, you can prevent slowdowns and performance issues related to limited storage capacity. This will help maintain optimal download speeds and overall system responsiveness.

Regularly monitor your storage usage and take proactive steps to free up space or expand your storage capacity as needed. This will ensure a smooth and efficient download experience on your PS5, allowing you to enjoy your games without any interruptions or delays.

Update system software and game patches

Keeping your PS5’s system software and game patches up to date is essential for maintaining optimal performance and fast download speeds. Updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and optimizations, which can directly impact your gaming experience, including download speeds.

To update the system software on your PS5:

1. From the Home screen, go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
2. Scroll down and select ‘System’.
3. Choose ‘System Software Update and Settings’.
4. Select ‘Update System Software’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

It’s also important to keep your games up to date by installing the latest patches and updates. Game patches often include important performance optimizations and bug fixes, which can enhance your gaming experience and potentially improve download speeds.

To update your games on PS5:

1. From the Home screen, navigate to the game library.
2. Highlight the game you want to update and press the ‘Options’ button on your controller.
3. Select ‘Check for Updates’ and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install any available patches or updates.

Scheduling regular updates for both the system software and your games ensures that you are taking advantage of the latest improvements and optimizations. This can help maintain fast download speeds and provide a smoother gaming experience overall.

By keeping your PS5 and games up to date, you also ensure compatibility with the latest features and security measures. This is especially important for online gaming, as updates often include fixes for vulnerabilities and exploits that can affect multiplayer gameplay.

In some cases, your PS5 may automatically download and install updates in the background. However, it’s recommended to check for updates manually to ensure you have the latest versions installed.

Regularly updating the system software and game patches is a crucial step in optimizing your PS5’s performance and download speeds. By staying up to date, you can take advantage of the latest improvements and enhancements from both Sony and game developers, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

Conclusion

Improving the download speed of your PS5 games is essential for reducing waiting time and getting into the gaming action faster. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can optimize your download speeds and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.

We began by emphasizing the importance of checking your internet connection and ensuring a stable and reliable network connection. Using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi can often result in faster download speeds. Pausing or canceling other downloads or updates, clearing cache and deleting unnecessary files, and utilizing Rest Mode can further enhance your PS5’s download performance.

Changing DNS settings to a faster server and downloading games during off-peak hours can also lead to faster download speeds. Additionally, ensuring enough storage space and keeping your system software and game patches up to date are critical for maintaining optimal performance.

By combining these strategies, you can significantly improve your PS5’s download speed and reduce waiting times. However, it’s important to keep in mind that several external factors, such as your internet service provider’s speed limits and network congestion, can impact your download speeds.

Regularly monitoring and optimizing your download speeds can help you make the most of your PS5 gaming experience. Experiment with these strategies, adjust your settings, and ensure you have a fast and reliable internet connection for optimal download speeds.

With faster download speeds, you can spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the amazing library of PS5 games that await you. So, put these tips into practice, and get ready to dive into the world of immersive gaming on your PS5!