How to Increase Download Speed on PlayStation 4

In the past, the PlayStation console used to be annoying because of its unreasonably slow loading speed, and the PS4 is no exception. There are a few things you can do to improve loading speed on your PlayStation, but it’s hard to fix the problem completely. To solve this problem, you open the network settings, then change the DNS and MTU values to increase the download speed of PS4. After tweaking your PS4 setup, there are a few more things you can do to increase performance and loading speed.

Table of Contents

Connect PS4 to the Internet

Press the PlayStation button on the controller. The button is in the middle of the joystick, press the button to open the PlayStation menu.

Select the “Settings” menu. This is the operation to open Settings.

Use the left joystick to slide down and the X button to select.

Select “Network”. This option is located near “System Software Update”.

Select “Set Up Internet Connection”. You’ll find this option at the top of the Network menu.

Select the appropriate network option. You can choose one of the following options:

“Use Wi-Fi” – if the console connects to the internet wirelessly. If you are using a wireless network, you can select the network you want to set up at this step.
“Use a Local Area Network (LAN) Cable” – if the game console connects to the modem with an Ethernet cable.

Select “Custom”. This option allows you to manually change the DNS or MTU settings. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Select “Automatic”. The device will set up complex options for you on its own.

Select “Do Not Specify”. This is the option to skip the manual setup steps. You can now change your DNS settings!

Change DNS settings

Select “Manual”. This option appears immediately after “Do Not Specify”; allows you to edit the DNS IP address. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Edit DNS settings. In this case, you need to enter both primary and secondary IP addresses. Here are some DNS you can use: ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Google – 8.8.8.8 (field “Primary”); 8.8.4.4 (field “Secondary”).
OpenDNS – 208.67.222.222 (field “Primary”); 208.67.220.220 (“Secondary” field).
Double-check that the correct DNS has been entered before continuing.

Select “Next” at the bottom of the screen. Here you can change the maximum transmission unit (MTU) setting. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Change MTU . settings

Select “Manual” in the MTU settings. This step will appear as soon as you select “Next” in the DNS installation step, the Manual option will proceed with the MTU installation process.

Select the character input field. You can enter a new MTU value here.

Enter a custom MTU value. “1473” is the official value recommended by PlayStation.

You can enter “1450” if “1473” does not work.

Select “Next”, then select “Do Not Use”. You will be redirected to the diagnostic test step.

Select “Next” to test internet speed. If the test is successful, you are done setting up the MTU!

Exit the PlayStation menu. This will return you to the home screen.

Try downloading the file. After changing the DNS and MTU settings, you should see an improved download speed!

Apply a few common tips

Check network contract terms. Maybe the problem lies with the internet service and not the gaming device; for example, if you are not allowed to download at 10mb/s, the download will take a long time.

Upgrading your plan or switching to an internet service provider may fix the problem.

Check your modem’s limitations. Cheap modems often limit bandwidth, you pay for high download speeds but you may not be able to use the maximum speed. If the modem provides lower bandwidth than the internet service, you should upgrade the modem. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Make sure not too many people use wifi. If you want to download something on the same network as many other devices: be it a computer, phone, game console, then the download speed will decrease significantly.

To fix this problem, try downloading when no one is home or no devices are connected to the network.

Use an Ethernet connection. Although the PS4 can connect to a wireless network, plugging the device directly into the modem will increase internet speed. You need an Ethernet cable to connect.

One end of the Ethernet cable plugs into the square port on the back of the PS4 device, the other end into the corresponding port labeled “Internet” on the modem. You can swap the 2 ends of the Ethernet cable for each other.

Update the latest firmware. You are asked to install the firmware automatically when connecting your PS4 to the internet.

As a general rule, you should update your console as soon as possible to avoid problems such as slow download speeds.

Pause and resume file downloads. This is the same operation as shutting down and restarting. If loading is taking too long, try pausing and reloading to see if that improves speed.

Advice

Although changing DNS addresses can speed up downloads, many users report that the game is prone to lag. You can fix this problem by changing the DNS IP address to the modem’s original address.

Warning

You need to determine the exact cause of the slow download speed before you sign up for a new plan or upgrade your device.

Steps