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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The PS5 message “A DNS server can’t be used” does not automatically mean your console is broken or that DNS alone is at fault. It can result from a PlayStation outage, a failing Wi‑Fi link, router or ISP trouble, incorrect manual settings, double NAT, a captive portal, or a console-specific fault. Start with the checks below before changing advanced settings.
Sony also does not define all three codes identically: NW-102468-1 is a network-connection problem, NW-102308-4 is a communication error, and the exact official meaning of NW-102498-4 is not clearly documented in Sony’s publicly indexed support material.
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Do these checks first
- Open the live PlayStation service-status page. If PSN is having an outage, changing DNS will not repair a PlayStation-side problem.
- Shut down the PS5 completely, not Rest Mode.
- Unplug the modem and router, leave them off for at least five minutes, reconnect the modem first, wait for synchronization, then reconnect the router.
- Run Settings → Network → Connection Status → Test Internet Connection. Labels can vary slightly by system-software version.
- Connect the PS5 directly to the router with Ethernet and test again.
- If necessary, forget and recreate the saved network connection before changing advanced settings.
If every device in the home is offline, investigate the modem, router, ISP, or an outage first. If phones and computers work but only the PS5 fails, the fault is more likely local to the console, its saved settings, or the route between it and the router.
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NW-102468-1
Sony describes this as “There was a problem connecting your PlayStation 5 console to the network.” Its recommended actions include restarting the PS5, moving it closer to the router or removing Wi‑Fi obstacles, restarting the router for at least five minutes, trying Ethernet, and removing multiple NAT routers. See Sony’s guidance at playstation.com/en-ca/support/error-codes/ps5/nw-102468-1/.
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NW-102308-4
Sony calls this “A communication error has occurred.” The company recommends checking service status, restarting the console and networking equipment, using Ethernet, updating router firmware, reviewing network ports, trying a manually assigned IP when appropriate, and temporarily changing DNS. The official instructions are at playstation.com/en-ph/support/error-codes/ps5/nw-102308-4/.
NW-102498-4
Sony’s publicly indexed support material does not clearly document this exact code. User reports associate it with PS5 network and DNS failures, but those reports do not establish an official definition. If NW-102498-4 appears with a DNS message, use the same isolation steps in this article rather than assuming every case has the same cause.
Use the connection test to locate the failure
Go to Settings → Network → Connection Status → Test Internet Connection. The result is more useful for identifying the failed stage than for measuring your internet plan’s maximum speed.
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- Internet works but PSN sign-in fails: check PSN status, account or service issues, and NAT conditions.
- DNS fails while other stages work: a DNS configuration or resolver problem becomes more plausible, but it is not proven.
- NAT Type 3: the network is restrictive; online play, voice chat, remote features, or matchmaking may be affected. It does not mean the console is defective.
Reconnect the saved network
- Open Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection.
- Select the saved Wi‑Fi or LAN connection and press the Options button.
- Choose Forget, if that option is shown, then connect again.
- If the problem remains, open Advanced Settings and check IP Address Settings, DHCP Host Name, DNS Settings, MTU Settings, and Proxy Server.
- Return values to Automatic or default unless you deliberately configured them and know they are correct.
Removing a saved connection does not delete games or saved data.
Try a different DNS server as a diagnostic
DNS translates names such as PlayStation service domains into IP addresses. A manual resolver can help when an ISP resolver is unreachable or unreliable, but it is not guaranteed to be faster and will not increase download bandwidth or fix a PSN, router, Wi‑Fi, or authentication outage.
A commonly documented PS5 path is Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection → select the network → Options → Advanced Settings → DNS Settings → Manual. Menu wording can vary. The path and Google values are documented by 2K at support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/201335143-Console-General-Networking-Troubleshooting.
| Provider | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
These are diagnostic alternatives, not universal recommendations. If manual DNS changes nothing, set DNS back to Automatic. Do not copy random resolver addresses from untrusted forums. For background on DNS and public-resolver alternatives, see Epic’s DNS explanation.
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Check manual entries for simple mistakes
- Correct typing errors in the primary and secondary DNS fields.
- Use valid IPv4 addresses.
- Do not enter the router’s address as DNS unless the router is intentionally providing DNS.
- Test Automatic DNS first to see whether the ISP resolver works.
- Only test a public resolver after the underlying internet connection is functioning.
A “DNS server can’t be used” message identifies one stage of connection setup; it does not prove that the PS5 has no internet at all.
Separate Wi‑Fi problems from DNS problems
Ethernet is Sony’s preferred isolation test. If Ethernet works while Wi‑Fi fails, investigate distance, concrete walls, cabinets, appliances, congested 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz channels, band steering, mesh roaming, interference, and router firmware. Sony specifically recommends moving the console nearer to the router, removing obstacles, and updating router firmware in its NW-102308-4 guidance.
If both Ethernet and Wi‑Fi fail, continue with router, ISP, DNS, NAT, PSN-status, and console-setting checks. A phone hotspot is another useful test: if the PS5 works on the hotspot, the home router, ISP, DNS, NAT, or captive-portal setup is more suspect. Mobile data limits, carrier NAT, and bandwidth make a hotspot unsuitable as a default gaming connection.
Look for double NAT
Multiple routing devices can create a second NAT layer—for example, an ISP gateway plus a personal router, or a mesh system still operating in router mode. Sony explicitly advises removing multiple NAT routers for NW-102468-1.
- Put the ISP gateway into bridge or modem-only mode when supported.
- Put the second router or mesh system into access-point or bridge mode.
- Reboot all networking equipment after changing the topology.
- Ask the ISP whether carrier-grade NAT is in use.
- Do not blindly place the PS5 in a DMZ.
Captive portals and managed networks
Hotel, dormitory, apartment, guest, and public networks may require a browser login, terms acceptance, or device registration. A phone or laptop can work while a PS5 remains unauthenticated. DNS changes normally do not bypass that control. The network operator may need to register the PS5’s MAC address or authorize it through a provider-specific process.
Ports, static IPs, and advanced router changes
Sony lists these ports for NW-102308-4:
- TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
- UDP: 3478, 3479, 49152–65535
Port forwarding is not a first-line response to a basic DNS message. Opening a large UDP range adds complexity and security exposure, and it cannot fix an ISP outage or failed resolver. Follow your router manufacturer’s or ISP’s documentation, and prefer a correctly configured single-router network or suitable UPnP setting according to your security preferences.
Sony also mentions a manually assigned IP. A fixed address can help with DHCP conflicts or rules tied to a device, but it is not inherently a DNS fix. A wrong address, gateway, subnet mask, or DNS value can break networking. A DHCP reservation on the router is often easier to maintain than entering a static address on the PS5.
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Which action fits the symptom?
| Action | Best use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Restart PS5 | Sudden or one-off failure | May not resolve an underlying router fault |
| Restart modem/router | Several devices are affected | Temporarily disconnects everyone |
| Ethernet | Unstable or weak Wi‑Fi | Requires a cable run |
| Automatic DNS | Manual values may be wrong | Depends on the ISP resolver |
| Public DNS | ISP DNS appears unreliable | Third-party resolver is not guaranteed faster |
| Forget and reconnect | Saved settings may be corrupted | Credentials must be entered again |
| Bridge/access-point mode | Two routers create double NAT | Requires topology changes |
| Static IP or DHCP reservation | Address conflicts or port rules | Wrong values can stop connectivity |
| Port forwarding | A specific NAT issue remains | More configuration and exposure |
| Hotspot test | Separate console from home-network fault | Uses mobile data and may have restrictive NAT |
When to contact your ISP or PlayStation Support
Contact the ISP when
- Other household devices cannot resolve websites.
- The modem reports loss of synchronization or an outage.
- DNS fails intermittently across several devices.
- The issue began after ISP equipment or configuration changed.
- Your network uses carrier-grade NAT or a managed gateway.
Contact PlayStation Support when
- The PS5 fails on multiple known-good networks.
- Both Ethernet and Wi‑Fi fail after network settings are reset.
- PSN status is normal but the console cannot connect anywhere.
- The issue persists after a full restart and current system software.
- A damaged network port or other console-specific fault is suspected.
Sony’s error pages direct users to PlayStation Support when the listed network steps do not resolve the problem: NW-102468-1 support and NW-102308-4 support.
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What not to assume
- Changing DNS does not prove DNS was the original cause; it may have bypassed an unreliable resolver or coincided with recovery.
- Google DNS is not always fastest. Performance depends on location, routing, caching, and ISP interconnection.
- Port forwarding does not fix every PS5 network error.
- NAT Type 3 indicates restrictive translation or firewall conditions, not a broken console.
- An error code does not prove PSN is down.
- A factory reset is not a normal first-line DNS remedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing DNS make PS5 downloads faster?
Not generally. A different resolver may improve name lookups when the current one is failing, but it does not increase your broadband bandwidth.
Is Google DNS better than Cloudflare DNS?
Neither is universally best. Test one only to isolate an ISP-resolver problem, then keep the setting that works reliably or return to Automatic.
Can a PlayStation outage produce a DNS message?
Yes. A service-side failure can surface as a communication or connection error, so check the live status page before changing settings.
Should I factory-reset my PS5 for these codes?
No. Exhaust restart, Ethernet, network reconfiguration, router, NAT, and support checks first; a factory reset is disproportionate for a typical DNS symptom.
What if only one game fails to connect?
Check that game’s service status and support information. A single-game problem may be specific to that title rather than the PS5’s DNS configuration.
The Bottom Line
Check PSN status, restart the PS5 and networking equipment for five minutes, test Ethernet, recreate the saved connection, and use manual DNS only as a controlled test. Double NAT, captive portals, ISP failures, and Wi‑Fi interference are at least as plausible as a bad DNS provider; if the failure follows the PS5 across networks, contact PlayStation Support.
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