PlayStation Network NW-102308-4

On screen: A communication error has occurred. / An error has occurred while connecting to PlayStation.

What it actually means

Sony gives no separate explanation of the cause for this one, but the remedy list is revealing: it starts with checking their status page and ends with manual DNS and static IP configuration. That is the shape of a code that can be either side.

This is the PS5 counterpart to the PS4's NW-31456-9.

How to tell which one you have

If the live status above shows PSN trouble, stop — steps two to eight are for the other case. If PSN looks healthy and the network steps make a difference, the problem was local. If nothing helps and status stays clean, the congestion may be between you and Sony rather than at either end.

Fixes, in the order worth trying

1. Check the PlayStation status page for a failure or maintenance — Sony's own first step, in their words.
2. Restart the console and use a wired connection — Ethernet changes the failure mode for communication errors more than it changes the speed.
3. Move the console closer to the router — Sony's own suggestion, which only makes sense on Wi-Fi.
4. Power the router and modem off for at least five minutes — Sony specifies the duration.
5. Update the router firmware
6. Open the TCP and UDP ports Sony lists
7. Set a static IP address
8. Switch to a public DNS server — Sony's last step, and the easiest of the final three to undo.

Operator documentation: www.playstation.com. PS5 code only. Sony's PS4 index does not contain it; the PS4 equivalent is NW-31456-9.

Common questions