Why Does My PlayStation Says a DNS Server Cannot Be Used?

Are you experiencing the frustrating error message on your PlayStation that says “A DNS server cannot be used”? Don’t worry, you are not alone. This error can occur for a variety of reasons, but fortunately, there are several solutions that can help you get back to gaming in no time.

What is a DNS Server?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what a DNS server is. DNS stands for Domain Name System and it is responsible for translating human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 192.168.0.1) that computers can understand.

A DNS server acts as a directory that helps your PlayStation connect to the internet and access various online services and games.

Possible Causes of the Error

Now that we know what a DNS server does, let’s explore some possible causes for the “DNS server cannot be used” error:

• Internet Connection Issues: A weak or unstable internet connection can prevent your PlayStation from connecting to the DNS server.
• DNS Server Problems: The DNS server itself might be experiencing technical difficulties or may be temporarily down.
• Incorrect Network Settings: Incorrect network settings on your PlayStation can also lead to this error message.

Solutions to Fix the Error

Solution 1: Restart Your Router

This may seem like a simple solution, but it often resolves many connectivity issues. To restart your router, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the power cable from your router.
2. Wait for 30 seconds.
3. Plug the power cable back into your router.
4. Wait for the router to fully restart.

Solution 2: Check Your Internet Connection

If restarting your router doesn’t fix the issue, you should check your internet connection:

1. Verify that other devices on your network are able to connect to the internet.
2. If other devices are also experiencing connectivity issues, contact your internet service provider to resolve any problems with your connection.

Solution 3: Manually Configure DNS Settings on Your PlayStation

If your internet connection is working fine, but you still encounter the error, try manually configuring the DNS settings on your PlayStation:

1. Navigate to the “Settings” menu on your PlayStation.
2. Select “Network,” then choose “Set Up Internet Connection.”
3. Select either Wi-Fi or LAN depending on how you connect to the internet.
4. Select “Custom” and follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the “DNS Settings” section.
5. Select “Manual” and enter a primary DNS server address (you can use popular public DNS servers like Google’s DNS: 8.8.8 or Cloudflare’s DNS: 1.1.1).
6. Skip secondary DNS settings, unless specifically required by your internet service provider.
7. Test the connection to see if the error is resolved.

Conclusion

In most cases, one of these solutions should fix the “A DNS server cannot be used” error on your PlayStation. By restarting your router, checking your internet connection, and manually configuring the DNS settings, you can ensure a smooth gaming experience without any connectivity issues.

Remember to always double-check your network settings and contact your internet service provider if you continue to experience difficulties.

Happy gaming!