How to Play PlayStation Online

Last Updated: August 22, 2022 References

You can play PlayStation online by connecting your PlayStation console to the Internet and running games that can be played on the PlayStation Network (PSN). Although PlayStation 2 (PS2) did have some network games, connecting the PS2 console to the Internet was difficult. Now the older network services have been terminated so you cannot play games online on the PS2 networks anymore. However, it is much easier to connect the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console to the Internet and you have many more PS3 online games to choose from.

Steps

1
Decide whether you want to connect your PlayStation console using a wired or wireless Internet connection. For example, if you are connecting to a wireless router you will have a wireless connection whereas plugging an Internet cable directly into your console would give you a wired connection.^{[1]
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2
Make sure there are no Internet cables already hooked onto your console.

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3
Go to the Settings menu on your PlayStation and select Network Settings.^{[2]
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4
Change the Internet Connection option if required so its status becomes "Enabled."
5
Press the down cursor button on your controller and press ✕ to select Internet Connection Settings.^{[3]
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6
Choose "Yes" when you get to the window warning that your console will disconnect from the Internet.
7
Set the setting method to "Easy."
8
Enter the Wireless connection menu by selecting "Wireless" in the Internet Connection Settings window.^{[4]
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9
Detect the Internet connection signal by clicking on "Scan."
10
Select the SSID (Service Set Identifier) for your Internet connection. This is the access point you use to connect all other devices to the same wireless Internet setup.
11
Confirm your SSID selection by pressing the right cursor button on your controller.
12
Identify the type of security setting you use for your Internet connection by highlighting it and pressing ✕.
13
Enter your Internet connection password using the keyboard that appears on the screen.
14
Save your settings by pressing the ✕ button.
15
Test the connection by pressing ✕ again. The connection test should complete with a "Succeeded" status to indicate that your PlayStation console is connected to the Internet.^{[5]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Establishing a Wired Connection

1
Go to the Internet Connection Settings window using the same initial steps used for connecting wirelessly.^{[6]
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2
Wait for the status message to disappear and the list of detected settings to appear. Save the settings by pressing ✕.
3
Test your connection after the settings are saved by selecting "Test Connection." You will see the "Succeeded" status to confirm that the test has completed successfully.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Playing Games Online

1
Play PlayStation online games the same way you would play offline games except you must join a game on the PlayStation Network. The option to join a network game appears in the menu when you begin to play any game that is network-enabled. Here are the titles of some popular PS3 online games that you might want to try.^{[7]
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- Killzone 2.
- Resistance 2.
- Metal Gear Solid 4.
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow 6.
- Grand Theft Auto 4.
- Guitar Hero World Tour.
- Call Of Duty Black Ops 2.

Community Q&A

Question

Do I need internet?

Community Answer

Yes. The internet is necessary to play PlayStation Online, because it's online.
Question

What do I do if I keep getting an error message when trying to play online?

Community Answer

Seek PSN support. This can be done by contacting them from their official e-mail or phone from their website.
Question

If I have MGS 5 on PS3 and can't play online, is it because I have to pay to play?

Community Answer

Yep. You need PS Plus. I recommend you just stick to single player unless you have a lot of other online multiplayer games that would make the purchase worthwhile to you.