Why is my PS5 wired speed slower than my laptop?

Your router might reserve a LAN port for another service, or your Ethernet cable might be faulty. Older PS5 models can also have hardware limitations or damaged network cards that cap speeds.

Can Wi-Fi be faster than Ethernet on a PS5?

Yes, in some setups a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection can match or slightly exceed wired speeds. However, a wired connection still provides a more stable type 1 NAT.

How do I fix my PS5 not getting full gigabit speeds?

Try using a Cat6 or Cat7 cable, plug the console directly into the router, and power cycle both devices. You can also test the cable with another device to rule out a damaged console port.

How to Test and Troubleshoot PS5 Wired Ethernet Connection

You can test your wired connection on a PS5 by going to settings, selecting network, and choosing test internet connection.

Wired speeds might be lower than expected due to cable quality, router port limits, or a faulty console port, with some users seeing a large drop compared to other devices.

In some cases, a 5GHz wireless connection might perform similarly to a wired setup, but wired offers a more stable type 1 NAT.

How to Test and Troubleshoot PS5 Wired Ethernet Connection — infographic

The PS5 does allow you to test its wired Ethernet connection through its network settings, which can be useful for troubleshooting connectivity issues.

How to Test Your Wired Connection

Access the Network Settings: Navigate to your PS5's settings menu, then select "Network," and finally "Test Internet Connection" to see your current speeds and connection status. "As soon as that runs, everything comes back."

Check for Bottlenecks: Even with a high-speed internet plan, your wired speeds might be capped due to the Ethernet cable's quality, router port limitations, or issues with the PS5's port. "I’m in the same situation. I can plug the Ethernet cable in my laptop and get 1000mbps then plug it into my ps5 and only get 100mbps."

Compare Wired vs. Wireless: While Ethernet generally offers more stable and faster speeds, some Users found their 5GHz Wi-Fi connection to be comparable or even slightly faster than wired in specific setups. "IMO I think my wifi at 5g is better, tested a run for comparison, and 277 Mbps download, 29 upload Type 2 Nat. Wired using Cat 5E I'm getting 273.1 download, 27.3 upload Type 1 Nat."

Troubleshooting Wired Ethernet Issues

Inspect Cables and Ports: A common cause for poor wired performance or no connection is a faulty Ethernet cable or a damaged LAN port on either the PS5 or the router. "Try a different cable. If it doesn't work, try connecting your LAN with another device."

Router Configuration: Issues can stem from router settings, such as a LAN port reserved for other services or an outdated router that doesn't support gigabit speeds across all ports. "Turns out my router reserve one of its lan port for iptv connection."

PS5-Specific Problems: Some Users report that older PS5 models can have notoriously bad network cards, and the console might struggle to maintain consistent wired speeds even if other devices on the same network perform well. "My PS5 Fat always worked Gigabit but after lightning, it ended up affecting the port and only negotiates 100Mb."

Optimizing Your Connection

Use High-Quality Cables: Upgrading to a Cat6 or Cat7 Ethernet cable can help ensure you get the maximum possible speeds, especially for longer runs. "Just want to add that using at Cat6 cable made a massive difference to my speed as well"

Direct Connection: Connecting your PS5 directly to the router, bypassing any switches or powerline adapters, can help isolate issues and ensure the most stable connection. "The best thing you can try to eliminate if it's a PS5 hardware issue is to see if you can borrow a unit from family / friend and testing the speed on it"

Power Cycling: Sometimes, simply restarting your PS5 and router can resolve temporary connectivity glitches. "It can happen when you leave the console in standby and you shut down switch or router. Reboot the console and it get fixed"

Does your PS5 recognize when an Ethernet cable is plugged in?