How To Fix PS Store Not Loading On PS5

The inability to access the PS Store on PS5 left users frustrated and unable to purchase or download new games, expansions, or other content. This disrupted their gaming experience, preventing them from accessing new releases or taking advantage of sales and promotions. Some users reported being unable to even browse the store to see what was available, limiting their ability to discover new games. This issue also caused inconvenience for those who wanted to redeem gift cards or vouchers, as they were unable to do so until the problem was resolved.

Common Causes

Internet Connectivity Issues:

• • Unstable Wi-Fi Signal: If your PS5 is connected to Wi-Fi, a weak or fluctuating signal can disrupt the connection to the PlayStation Store, preventing it from loading properly.
  • Network Congestion: If multiple devices are using your internet connection simultaneously, it can lead to bandwidth limitations, causing slowdowns or preventing the PS Store from loading.
  • ISP Issues: Temporary outages or maintenance on your internet service provider’s end can also cause the PS Store to become inaccessible.

PlayStation Network Problems:

• • Server Outages: Sometimes, the PlayStation Network servers can experience issues or be down for maintenance, preventing users from accessing the PS Store.
  • High Traffic: During peak times, like game launches or sales, a large number of users trying to access the PS Store simultaneously can overload the servers and cause loading problems.

Software Glitches:

• • Corrupted Cache: The PS5 stores temporary data in its cache, which can sometimes become corrupted and interfere with the functioning of the PS Store.
  • Firmware Bugs: Issues within the PS5’s system software (firmware) can also lead to problems with the PS Store, such as crashes or failures to load.

Hardware Issues:

• • Faulty Router or Modem: If your router or modem is malfunctioning, it can disrupt your internet connection and prevent the PS Store from loading.
  • Problems with the PS5 Console: In rare cases, a hardware issue with the PS5 itself can cause problems with accessing the PS Store, although this is less likely than other causes.

Account-Specific Problems:

• • Incorrect Account Settings: Issues with your PlayStation Network account settings, such as incorrect region settings or payment information, can sometimes prevent the PS Store from loading properly.
  • Account Restrictions: If your account has been temporarily banned or restricted for violating the terms of service, you may be unable to access the PS Store.

Solutions

Troubleshooting Internet Connection:

• • Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: Ensure your PS5 is receiving a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal. Consider moving closer to the router or using a Wi-Fi range extender if needed.
  • Restart Router/Modem: Power cycle your router and modem to refresh the connection.
  • Use a Wired Connection: Connect your PS5 directly to the router with an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.

Addressing PlayStation Network Issues:

• • Check Server Status: Verify the PlayStation Network status online to see if there are any known outages or issues.
  • Wait for Resolution: If there are widespread server issues, you’ll need to wait until Sony resolves them.

Fixing Software Glitches:

• • Clear Cache: Go to Settings > Storage > Clear Cache to remove temporary data that might be causing problems.
  • Rebuild Database: In Safe Mode, choose the option to rebuild the database to fix potential data corruption.
  • Update System Software: Ensure your PS5 is running the latest system software to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.

Resolving Hardware Issues:

• • Restart PS5: A simple restart can sometimes resolve minor glitches.
  • Check Router/Modem: Ensure your router and modem are functioning properly. If not, contact your internet service provider.
  • Factory Reset (Last Resort): If all else fails, you can try a factory reset of your PS5. However, this should be done as a last resort as it will delete all data on your console.

Addressing Account-Specific Problems:

• • Verify Account Settings: Double-check your region settings and payment information on your PlayStation Network account.
  • Contact PlayStation Support: If you suspect your account has been restricted, contact PlayStation Support for assistance.

Useful User Experiences

Learn from the experiences of real PS5 users who have encountered this issue and successfully resolved it.

Experience #01

Currently, the most efficient workaround I’ve discovered involves toggling the internet off and on within the PS5 settings, circumventing the need for a full system reboot. For a quicker fix, consider adding the Network option to your quick menu by navigating to Home, pressing Options, and selecting Network.

Once you’ve got that set up, follow these steps whenever the issue arises:

1. Access the quick menu and select Network.
2. Navigate to Network Settings.
3. Scroll down using the directional pad and press X to enter Settings.
4. Quickly toggle “Connect to the internet” off and back on by double-tapping X.
5. Return to your starting point by pressing circle twice. If necessary, backtrack and re-enter the screen where the error occurred.

Experience #02

I use Xfinity for my internet service. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix connectivity issues, even if you’re using a wired connection like I was:

1. Open the Xfinity app and head to the “Connection” tab at the bottom.
2. Click on your WiFi network, even if you’re using a LAN connection. This will take you to the “My Network” page.
3. Navigate to advanced settings and then select “Port Forwarding.”
4. Ignore any messages about network security – this is the necessary step to resolve the problem.
5. Choose “Add Port Forward” and select your PS5 from the list of devices.
6. Under “Choose from common applications,” opt for “PlayStation Plus for PS4” (yes, even for PS5).
7. After adding the port forwards, click “Next” and restart your PS5.

I can’t explain why this works, but it’s been the only long-term solution for me. Here’s a quick summary:

If you have Xfinity:

• Open the Xfinity app.
• Navigate to “Connect” > “Your Network Name” > “Advanced Settings” > “Port Forwarding.”
• Choose your PS5 as the device and “PlayStation Plus for PS4” as the recommended configuration.
• Click “Next” and restart your PS5.

Update: Even after months of smooth sailing, the issue resurfaced for me. I switched the ports based on some PlayStation support pages, and since then, I haven’t encountered any further problems.

The ports to switch to are:

• TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
• UDP: 3478, 3479

Just a heads-up: I’m no expert in this stuff. This is simply what worked for me.

Experience #03

To resolve this, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
2. Press the Options button and select “Advanced Settings.”
3. Here, you’ll find the option to adjust the Wi-Fi Frequency Bands. Choose either 5GHz or 2.4GHz.
4. Avoid leaving it on “Automatic” as it may not resolve the issue reliably. Select your preferred frequency manually.

Experience #04

At last, I managed to resolve the issue! After consulting with several support agents, one of them identified the problem and provided me with specific ports for setting up port forwarding. Once I configured these ports, the issue was resolved. You can undertake the setup yourself or request assistance from your ISP.

Here are the ports:

• TCP: 80, 443, 3480
• TCP/UDP: 3478, 3479

Experience #05

I HAVE THE FIX!! Go Into your router, go to IPv6 support, Disable it. Mine was on as default. Save setting. Ive been gaming for 2 hours now, no disconnects!

Experience #06

Today I realized that my router (TP-Link Archer C7) had IPv6 turned off on the WAN, but I noticed that the PS5 had an IPv6 address. Turned IPv6 on, rebooted the router, bam it started working.

Experience #07

Here’s the detailed fix that worked for me:

1. Spent over an hour on the phone with Playstation support, exhausting all previous options.
2. Went to “Saved Data and Game/App Settings” > “Saved Data (PS5) and (PS4)” > “Console Storage” > “Upload to Cloud Storage.”
3. After completion, powered off the PS5.
4. Held down the physical power button on the front until I heard the second beep.
5. Selected the Factory Reset option (#6).
6. Once the PS5 finished resetting and setup, everything including game base worked smoothly.

Experience #07

I’ve tried several fixes. All of these can work, but the problem can come back, and the same fix might not work twice.

• Toggling “connect to the internet” off and on
• Restarting the console
• Starting in safe mode and rebuilding the database (note, this is much faster than it says it will be)
• Ritual sacrifice of a goat while facing east and standing on one leg
• Connecting to my wifi using the WPS button instead of normally

My ISP is Spectrum, and they have an odd setup with a combo modem-and-router box and also a separate router-only box. Connecting directly to the combo box instead of to the router-only box is what’s presently working for me.

Experience #08

I have Xfinity on a wired connection. The only thing that works regularly for me is to go to network settings on the PS5 and click Test Network. After it does that, and sends a few bits up and down, it seems to work.

Experience #09

What worked is downloading the latest ps5 update on a usb stick, putting ps5 in safe mode and installing the software again. Get the ps5 console re-install file, it is just under the update file.

Experience #10

I found a simple solution that worked for me: enabling IPv6 in my router settings.

As for why IPv6 was turned off initially, I’m unsure. I can only speculate that the issue arose when my PS5 attempted to connect to specific Sony servers that utilize IPv6. Regardless, enabling IPv6 completely resolved the problem for me.

A helpful way to determine if you’re experiencing the same issue is to utilize the “View PlayStation Status” prompt. Before the fix, this prompt consistently failed for me, even when the store was loading fine. Now, post-fix, it reliably loads the webpage every time.

Experience #11

If you’re an Xfinity user, follow these steps:

1. Access your admin panel using the classic “10.0.0.1” address.
2. Navigate to Gateway > Connection > Local IP Network.
3. Uncheck the “Stateful (Use DHCP Server)” option.