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PS4 DNS Server – A Definition
- PS4
It consists of two major components, a console, which is in effect a small PC, and controllers that players use to manage gameplay. The controller connects to a large screen, a smart TV, and smart devices like phones and tablets.
Tech Specs:
- A read-only optical drive that reads Blu-Ray disks.
- A 500GB HDD.
- USB connectivity for external storage.
- High-definition HDMI video output, 1080p, and 4K in the Pro version.
- WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet connectivity; and
- Aux ports for camera input and enhanced sound output.
Compatibility with smart devices, particularly those from Sony, allows remote gameplay on tablets and smartphones.
- DNS
Simply put, a DNS server translates each into the other, so you don’t need to remember the numerical form, only the text version.
The PS4 needs a DNS server capability to help the player navigate the Internet, and to allow the PS4 to join networked playgroups.
PS4 and DNS Settings
As with other PCs, proper configuration of the PS4 DNS settings is essential to have a maximum performance from your PS4. There are continual DNS lookups as you use the Internet. Some DNS servers are unreliable, and some are on a slow connection because they are on the other side of the world. The default settings will work, but may not be optimal for your location and ISP.
In summary, changing DNS servers:
- May bring the servers geographically closer. This could mean DNS data transfer is faster.
- ISP servers, especially for smaller ISPs, sometimes have questions about reliability. Moving to a major DNS server may mean fewer issues and downtime. Also, perhaps faster responses.
- If you are lucky, the replacement server is faster than the one provided in the default settings.
If you are using WiFi, try to replace the connection with an Ethernet connection. It will be faster and more stable. That means connecting the Ethernet port on the console to your Internet router using a standard Ethernet cable. The PS4 will detect the Ethernet connection automatically.
Finding and Using local DNS Servers
As mentioned above, an advantage of using local DNS servers is a shorter route to them, and thereby, hopefully, faster response time.
Finding local DNS servers and choosing the fastest will mean using an app to do so. Experience shows NameBench as being one of the better. Download and install it on your PS4 from this Google site.
When you run it, it displays a list of DNS servers with their IP address and response time. Choose the fastest two as your primary and secondary DNS servers.
Changing the DNS settings
- Go to the PS4 menu on the console.
- On the right-hand side select the Settings option.
- Choose the “Network” option from the displayed options.
- Next, choose the “Set Up Internet Connection” option to modify the network settings.
- If you are using WiFi, pick “Use Wi-Fi,” If you are using a wired Ethernet connection, select “Use a LAN Cable.”
- Now, the important bit, pick “Custom.”
- You should not need to change the IP Address Settings:
- Choose “Automatic” settings. Sometimes it is called DHCP.
- Choose “Do Not Specify” for the DHCP Host Name
- We now come to the DNS settings. Choose “Manual” to be able to enter custom DNS values.
- You need to enter at least a primary DNS setting, and ideally a secondary. If stuck, use the Google free DNS servers, 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. An alternative is Cloudflare at 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
- You should not need to change the IP Address Settings:
- Press “Next” to finish the DNS configuration.
- MTU Settings should be set to “Automatic” and the Proxy Server settings to “Do Not Use.”
On the restart, you should now have a more stable, and hopefully faster DNS Server configuration on your PS4.
Summary
Despite being around for nearly 9 years, and overtaken by the PS5, the PS4 still has life in it and will be used for many years to come. There are a few tweaks that improve performance, including changing the default DNS server settings. Hopefully, this short note will give some guidance.
If however, you need support and advice, or just a general chat, please contact us.