What to Do If a DNS Server Cannot Be Used on Your PS4 [Fast Fix]

If you’re getting an NW-31253-4, NW-31254-5, or NW-31246-6 error on your PlayStation’s screen, it means that a DNS server cannot be used on your PS4.

But, what is a DNS error on PS4 exactly and how can you fix it?

Let’s find out.

What Is PS4 DNS?

A DNS or Domain Name System is a tool that translates domain names to IP addresses.

For example, when you open a browser and enter a domain name, like “google.com,” your computer uses a DNS system to match that domain name to the server’s IP address.

In other words, a DNS essentially allows your PS4 to connect to the Internet, the PlayStation Network, and access game servers.

What Is a DNS Error on a PS4 and Why Does It Happen?

In most cases, a DNS error means that your favorite gaming console cannot connect to a network. The connection may be slow, unstable, or not there at all. 

This is also one of the reasons why your PS4 might start experiencing proxy server issues.

Another reason why you might see a DNS error on your screen is due to incorrect DNS settings, which can happen if you tried to configure the settings yourself in order to improve your gaming experience or if your PS4 connects to an old DNS server.

An outdated browser or a bloated cache can also trigger DNS issues and in some rare cases, they can occur because of a server outage.

On PS4, these DNS errors can appear with the following codes:

• NW-31253-4 (Response from DNS server is delayed or unstable)
• NW-31254-5 (Response from DNS server is delayed or unstable)
• NW-31205-1 (Network connection cannot reach the PSN server.)
• NW-31246-6 (DNS settings are invalid)

What to Do If a DNS Server Cannot Be Used on Your PS4?

Pinpointing what caused it will help you figure out how to fix the DNS error on your PS4. 

Here’s how you can try to resolve most of the DNS errors on your gaming platform.

Power Cycle the Devices

If the PS4 DNS server cannot be used, it usually means that you’re having connectivity issues.

The easiest way to fix that is to reset your router and/or modem. This method will reboot the operating system and allow it to start anew.

To do that:

1. Turn off your devices.
2. Unplug the power cables.
3. Wait for a couple of minutes and plug them back in.
4. Connect them to the Internet.

Manually Configure DNS

If rebooting your PS4 and the Internet device doesn’t fix the issue, it might be a misconfiguration problem. The only way to resolve this issue is to manually change the DNS settings.

To change the DNS settings on a PS4:

1. Navigate to the Settings tab;
2. Go to Network Settings and select Set Up Internet Connection;
3. Select the network (WiFi or LAN), and make sure that the Ethernet cable is connected to the router.
4. In Network Settings, select Automatic for IP Address Settings.
5. From DNS Settings, select Manual;
6. For Primary DNS, insert 8.8.8.8 or 208.67.222.222 For Secondary DNS, insert 8.8.4.4 or 208.67.2020.2020
7. Select Automatic, and choose Not To Use the proxy server. 

Reset Your PS4

If your device still does not have the information it needs to connect to a network, doing a hard reset on your PS4 should fix the issue. It will reset your settings to default and won’t delete any of your files or game-related data.

To reset your PS4:

1. Turn off your Playstation.
2. Disconnect any wired controllers, power cables, or ethernet cables.
3. Wait for a couple of minutes and plug in the power cable again.
4. Put your PS4 in Safe Mode by pressing and holding the power button.
5. Get a USB cable and connect your controller.
6. Once all settings are reset to default, you can check for errors. If they’re still there, you can try configuring the DNS manually again.

Contact Support

If nothing you’ve tried works, the next best course of action is to contact PlayStation’s customer support team, which can be reached at 1-800-345-7669.

Playstation also has a PlayStation Repairs tool you can use for connectivity troubleshooting.

If the customer support representative tells you that the issue is not on their end, you might need to talk to your ISP provider next.

Bottom Line

Seeing DNS error codes on your PS4 usually means that your console is having trouble connecting to the network. This might be because of a bad connection or a mismatch in your DNS settings. The good news is, there’s plenty of things you can try to fix.