PS5 Download Speed Slow? 6 Fixes to Try

PS5 download speed slow? Start by checking whether the problem affects your home connection, one game download or PlayStation services. A slow transfer, a download that never starts and a download that stops in Rest Mode can require different fixes.

This guide explains how to troubleshoot slow PS5 downloads with simple checks, wired connection settings and the correct Rest Mode options. There is no setting that guarantees a particular download speed.

Quick answer: how to fix slow PS5 downloads

Check PlayStation's service status, test the console's connection and compare Wi-Fi with a wired LAN connection if possible. For a download that will not start, try pausing and resuming it. If downloads stop when you leave the console, check that internet access is enabled in Rest Mode.

1. Identify what is actually slow

Look at the download's progress before changing settings. Is the downloaded amount increasing, is the transfer stuck, or does it stop only after the console becomes idle? Also distinguish downloading files from installing them: an installation stage does not measure your internet transfer speed.

As a practical diagnostic, compare another device on the same home network while keeping other activity similar. If several devices struggle at the same time, investigate the home connection first. If only one game download is affected, that alone does not prove your console has a hardware fault.

2. Check PlayStation services and test your connection

Open the official PlayStation status page. If it reports a relevant incident, wait for the service to recover before repeatedly changing your setup.

On your PS5, open Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. Record the result so you can compare it after each change. Treat this as a diagnostic snapshot rather than a promise of the speed every game download will achieve.

3. Try Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi

PlayStation's network troubleshooting guidance recommends trying a wired connection where possible. Connect a LAN cable between your router and console, then open:

Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > Set Up Wired LAN > Connect.

Compare the same download before and after the change. If Ethernet performs consistently better, that points toward the wireless part of your setup. It does not mean your internet subscription has become faster.

If a cable is impractical, move the console closer to the router and reduce obstructions. Restart the PS5, and follow your router's instructions for restarting it. PlayStation's network-error guidance recommends leaving the router off for at least five minutes before turning it back on.

4. Reduce competing network activity

For a controlled comparison, temporarily pause large downloads, cloud backups or high-quality streaming on other devices. Then observe whether the PS5 transfer improves. This is a troubleshooting experiment: the result depends on how much traffic was sharing your connection.

Change one thing at a time. Switching connection type, moving the console and restarting everything together makes it harder to identify which change helped.

5. Pause and resume a download that will not start

Press the PS button, open Downloads/Uploads, select the affected item and choose Pause, followed by Resume. PlayStation recommends this for a download that will not start; it is not a guaranteed speed boost for an otherwise working transfer.

If the issue persists, check free space under Settings > Storage and install available system software updates. Avoid canceling a large transfer as your first step, because restarting it can mean downloading content again.

For background on console software, see our PS5 system software update coverage. Use the console's update menu to check the latest available version.

6. Keep PS5 downloads running in Rest Mode

Open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and enable Stay Connected to the Internet.

For automatic game and app updates, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates. Enable Auto-Download, and choose Auto-Install in Rest Mode if you also want updates installed automatically. Some updates may still require approval.

Use Power > Enter Rest Mode when leaving the console. Rest Mode allows supported background downloads; it does not guarantee faster transfers than leaving the console on.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my PS5 download slow when my phone seems fast?

Use a controlled comparison before drawing conclusions. A phone speed test and a game transfer involve different workloads. Testing Ethernet on the console can help separate a Wi-Fi issue from a wider connection problem.

Should I reset my PS5 to improve download speed?

A factory reset is not a sensible first experiment for a slow transfer. Work through connection, service-status and download checks first. If the problem continues, use PlayStation Support with your error code and test results.

Once downloads are working, explore our upcoming PS5 games guide.