Why Does PS5 Network Sign-in Failed? (Quick Fixes Inside!)
The “PS5 network sign-in failed” error could be quite unexpected, especially after trying to log in several times, pressing each letter of your password with caution.
Don’t worry–you probably got your details right, and the issue lies elsewhere!
There are many possibilities for the “sign-in failed” error, ranging from account problems, system issues, and even PlayStation™ Network outages.
This quick guide will walk you through all the steps you need to undertake in a chronological order and solve the issue in a matter of minutes!
How to Fix the “PS5 Network Sign-In Failed” Error?
Note: Are you sure that you’re using the correct sign-in account details?
1. Soft-Reset the PlayStation Console
Sometimes, when you’re unable to sign in to the PlayStation™ Network, the problem is just temporary, and you only need to reboot the system.
To do it efficiently, power off your console and unplug the power cable from the power outlet for ~60 seconds to discharge the power completely.
Then, try to sign in, and if you still see the same error, keep reading!
2. Check PlayStation™ Network Status
If you can’t sign in to the PlayStation 5 network, the next step is to check the PlayStation™ Network Status and whether the issue is on their end.
Well, what you’re interested in would be the “Account Management” bullet and whether it says “Service is running” or “Some services are experiencing issues”.
If there is an ongoing outage, not only you, but everyone else wouldn’t be able to sign in to their PlayStation™ Network account.
As self-explanatory as it is, you can easily determine whether the problem is on their side or you’ll need to troubleshoot issues on your end.
Note: PlayStation™ Network service issues are typically resolved within a few hours, the same day!
3. Verify PlayStation™ Network Account
Note: You can skip this step if your account was not recently created.
If you have just registered to PlayStation™ Network, and you’re unable to sign in, perhaps you have skipped the most important step–verification.
Upon opening an account, you are sent a verification email that you need to open and click the link to verify your sign-in ID.
If you can’t find the email, check your Spam or Junk email folders.
Quick Tip: If you’re confident that you did not receive a verification email, go to the PlayStation Sign-In Page, click “Trouble Signing In?” and recover your account.
4. Verify that your PlayStation 5 is Online
Well, if you’re doing everything right, but the PS5 PlayStation Network sign in failed, maybe the console is currently “offline”, which is why the issue appears.
Well, there is a quick way to test the network connection on the PlayStation 5 and confirm the console is connected to the Wi-Fi.
From the main screen of your PlayStation 5, go to “Settings” → “Network”.
If you’re not sure whether your PlayStation 5 is online or not, use your smartphone to connect to the same Wi-Fi and test if you can stream online videos.
Note: If your PS5 is offline, this explains the problem; hence, there is no need for further troubleshooting except solving networking issues.
5. Update the System of your PlayStation 5
If you haven’t been using your PlayStation 5 for months, and you’re just now using the device, it is probably running a severely outdated firmware.
So, the same thing happened to me a while back, and I was wondering why is my PS5 saying PlayStation network sign in failed.
The way I solved it is by updating the firmware, which does require an internet connection, but does not require you to be signed in to the PS Network.
The easiest way to update your PlayStation 5 is through the settings by navigating to “System” → “System Software” → “System Software Update and Settings”.
When you update your console, try signing in to PlayStation™ Network. If you’re still seeing the same error, maybe there’s something wrong with your account.
6. Recover your PlayStation Account
If you still can’t sign in to PlayStation™ Network, maybe your account is locked, and you’ll need to recover your PSN account.
You’ll be shown two options:
Choose the option that suits you, although we recommend going with the email recovery, since the process is simpler.
You will receive an email with a recovery link that you need to click and then follow the steps to reset your password and sign in.
7. Use the PlayStation™ Repair Tool
If you’re unable to sign in to PlayStation™ Network, maybe the dedicated PlayStation™ Repair Tool can help you out by deploying proven troubleshooting techniques.
You need to specify the problem you’re experiencing by selecting a device, type of issue, and so on, for full diagnostics.
If this doesn’t work, keep reading…
8. Sign in On a Different Account
If you can’t diagnose the “PS5 network sign-in failed” error, maybe it’s because of the account!
To narrow down the circle of possibilities, you should try signing in via a different account on the PSN to finally identify where the problem comes from.
If you don’t have a secondary account or a family member’s account to test with, just create a new PSN account and try signing in with it.
If you can sign in with your secondary account, but you can’t use the original one or recover it, contact Sony Support and report the account issue.
With a bit of luck, they will be able to recover your account within a few days.
If not, at least they will tell you exactly what’s wrong with it and whether there is something you can do on your side.
Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.