PS5 Remote Play over Wi-Fi keeps degrading over time

Addressing Wi-Fi Signal Degradation During PS5 Remote Play: Troubleshooting and Optimization

Many PlayStation 5 users enjoy the convenience of remote play, allowing gameplay to be streamed to compatible devices over a Wi-Fi network. However, some users encounter persistent issues where the connection quality deteriorates over time, leading to disconnections and degraded gameplay experience. If you’ve noticed similar behavior, especially when using your home Wi-Fi, this guide aims to help diagnose and resolve such issues.

Understanding the Challenge

In recent setups, users report stable initial connections between their PS5 and mobile devices via Wi-Fi, only to experience a gradual decline in signal quality. Over extended periods, the connection may drop entirely, requiring re-establishment. Interestingly, switching to cellular data often alleviates the problem, suggesting that the root cause lies within the home Wi-Fi network rather than the devices themselves.

Potential Causes of Wi-Fi Signal Degradation

Network Congestion: Multiple devices sharing the same network can lead to bandwidth limitations, affecting the stability of real-time streams.
Wi-Fi Interference: Physical obstructions, neighboring Wi-Fi networks, or household electronics might interfere with the signal.
Router Configuration: Suboptimal router settings, such as incompatible channels or insufficient firmware updates, can cause instability.
Bandwidth Prioritization: Lack of Quality of Service (QoS) settings might allow other applications to pre-empt your gaming streams.
Signal Range and Placement: Distance from the router and physical obstructions can weaken the signal over time.

Troubleshooting Steps and Best Practices

Optimize Router Placement
Position your router centrally to minimize interference.
Elevate the router off the floor and avoid placing it near metallic objects or other electronics.
Update Router Firmware
Ensure your router’s firmware is current, as updates often include stability improvements and bug fixes.
Adjust Wi-Fi Settings
Switch to a 5 GHz network if available, as it’s typically less congested and offers higher speeds.
Change the wireless channel to avoid interference, using tools like Wi-Fi analyzers to identify the clearest channel.
Configure Port Forwarding and DMZ Settings
Verify that the necessary ports for PS5 Remote Play are correctly forwarded in your router settings.
Consider placing your PS5 in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to improve connection stability, but do this cautiously due