As avid PS5 gamers, we understand how frustrating it can be when your console starts to lag during gameplay. Lag can disrupt your gaming experience and make it difficult to enjoy your favorite games. The good news is that this lagging can typically be fixed very quickly.
To fix PS5 lag issues, try restarting your console, and then restarting your modem and router. Wireless connections are more prone to lagging, so swapping to a wired setup may help as well. If the wireless network is crowded, you can try swapping to a 5GHz network.
There are several causes of PS5 lag, including poor internet connection, outdated software, and a full hard drive. A faulty internet connection can cause lag, especially when playing online games. So, let’s start sorting through these issues one by one, starting with trying to figure out what the source of your lagging is.
Why Is Your PS5 Lagging?
The most common cause of lag is a poor or crowded internet connection. Many PS5 games require high-speed internet to run smoothly. Check your internet connection if your game has been running fine and then suddenly starts lagging. Always try to use a wired internet connection for the fastest speeds.
Pro-Tip: If you’re using WiFi with your PS5, consider isolating the PS5 and any gaming equipment onto a 5 GHz wifi band if your router has one available. This will give the PS5 it’s own data highway to use, free of traffic form your other devices.
We’ll cover that 5 GHz wifi trick a bit lower down in the article, but if you can get away with it, you should also consider a wired option like ethernet. And you’d do well to briefly skim our PS5 Owner’s Guide for a little more on this and other issues you may face, but one thing you should also consider is a wired connection.
If your house isn’t run with ethernet, you can actually try to use a device called a Power Line Adapter (on Amazon) that allows you to piggy-back ethernet quality signals on your electrical system in your house. For some, this provides a faster, more stable connection than Wi-Fi.
Another possible cause of PS5 lag is a full hard drive or outdated operating system. Playing games on a full hard drive can overburden the drive, resulting in lag. Sometimes, a faulty hard drive also causes overheating when playing power-intensive games.
If you don’t update the PS5 software, you may struggle with lag. Sofware updates often remove bugs and improve the system’s speed and performance.
Lastly, watch out for other issues presenting alongside lagging. If you have graphics issues, or the system just keeps freezing and crashing, be sure to reference our other guides.
How Can You Stop the PS5 From Lagging?
If you only experience occasional lag, it might not affect your overall gaming experience. However, in some cases, the lag may disrupt your gameplay and indicate that something is wrong with the console. At that point, you should try to figure out what’s going on.
When your PS5 starts lagging, the first thing you should do is switch it on and off.
Many people prefer to leave their PS5 on standby most of the time since it’s easier to restart. However, switching off the PS5 completely and restarting it can help remove cache and may resolve your lag issues.
If restarting the console doesn’t fix the lag, try removing the power cable. Check that the power cable is not damaged, as a faulty power cable can also cause your PS5 to freeze or lag.
Hold the power button for several seconds if your PS5 is frozen and won’t switch off to soft reset it. This will cause you to lose unsaved data, but it should unfreeze the console.
If none of the basic fixes work, you can try some of these methods to fix PS5 lag permanently:
Updating the Software
Updating the software on your console can help resolve lag issues. Follow these steps to update the PS5 firmware:
- Go to settings and click on “system.”
- Under system software, click on “system software updates and settings.”
- Update the system software.
Regular system updates can help fix bugs and improve performance, which can help prevent lag. Make sure to check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they become available.
Check the Internet Connection
Always check your internet connection when you experience lag on a PS5 since a slow or unstable connection is often the primary cause of in-game lag.
To test the internet speed, connect to your laptop through WiFi or a cable and view the connection speed on the speedtest.net website.
If you’re constantly experiencing lag, you should switch to a faster internet connection. Cable internet is much faster than WiFi modems, and connecting the PS5 to an ethernet cable will reduce the connection lag.
You can also try changing your DNS settings. In the settings menu, go to “Network” and then “Set Up Internet Connection.” Select “Custom” and then “DNS Settings.” Change the DNS settings to “Manual” and enter the following: Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8 and Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4. This may help improve your PS5’s internet connection and reduce lag.
How To Optimize Your PS5’s WiFi Connection
There are several ways to optimize your PS5’s WiFi connection. First, try moving your PS5 closer to your router to improve signal strength. You can also try using a WiFi extender to improve coverage in areas with poor signal.
A wired connection will always be better, but if you’re limited to WiFi then at least have a look at our articles on gaming on a 5 GHz network instead of a 2.5 GHz one to get better performance. If you think this could be the right option for you, have a look at our dedicated article on moving your PS5 to a 5 GHz WiFi network.
Managing The Storage Space (Adding Free Space)
Another common cause of PS5 lag is a full hard drive. Check your storage space in the settings menu under “Storage.” If your storage is full, try deleting some games or applications to free up space.
You can also try “rebuilding your database.” This will clear any cache files and may improve your PS5’s performance. To do this, turn off your PS5 using the power button on the front of the console, then press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps. This will boot your PS5 into safe mode. Select “Rebuild Database” and follow the on-screen instructions. And note you’ll probably need to connect your remote to the PS5 with a usb cord to be able to make that selection.
Change Game Settings
If you’re only struggling with lag in certain games, changing the game settings may help fix the issue. Some games are more power-intensive than others and may lag if they’re not played in performance mode.
Go to the game settings on your PS5 and select the mode with higher FPS. This will reduce the lag, but it may impact the graphics. If you don’t want to compromise on graphics, then make sure the PS5 is in performance mode.