Update: Sony has made recent updates to the network that should allow PS4 users to sign in without changing MTU settings, according to the official PlayStation Support Twitter account.
If you made adjustments, you can the two options below to return to the original settings:
Option 1
- Choose “Set Up Internet Connection” under the Network menu in Settings.
- Select either Wi-Fi or LAN Cable.
- Choose Easy on the next screen.
- Select your Wi-Fi network and enter password
- Select Next to continue.
- Test Internet Connection in the Network menu to test if PSN Sign-In is successful.
Option 2
- Choose “Set Up Internet Connection” under the Network menu in Settings.
- Select either Wi-Fi (select your Wi-Fi network and enter password) or LAN Cable.
- Choose Custom on the next screen.
- Select your normal settings for IP Address Settings or Automatic if unknown.
- Select your normal settings for DHCP Host Name or Do Not Specify if unknown.
- Select your normal settings for DNS Settings or Automatic if unknown
- Select Automatic for MTU Settings.
- Select Next to continue.
- Select your normal settings for Proxy Server or Do Not Use if unknown.
- Test Internet Connection in the Network menu to test if PSN Sign-In is successful.
PlayStation Network services were restored last night after suffering ongoing outages since Christmas Eve, but for those PlayStation 4 users still unable to connect, we may have a temporary workaround for you.
Some users, including myself, were still unable to sign in even after power cycling our systems, as suggested by the official PlayStation support Twitter account. However, using a fix brought to light by Twitter users Digital Dejavu and Chuck Davis, I and others were able to successfully sign into PSN.
Change network settings / custom / EDIT: MTU from 1500 to 1473 Merry Xmas @PlayStation @AskPlayStation #PlayStation #AskPlayStation
— Digital Dejavu (@DigitalDeja_Vu) December 27, 2014
The procedure, which may not work for everyone, involves users to make a few internet connection tweaks under the their console’s Settings menu. First, select “Set up Internet Connection” in the Network menu. Choose your connection type, select custom and connect to your internet. Choose custom at each screen prompt, except for MTU and set it as 1473 when prompted. Save settings and exit. You'll hopefully be able to successfully sign into PSN after making these tweaks.
It's important to note that changing the MTU parameters from the PS4s default 1500 is just a temporary fix to connect to PSN and you should change back to the original settings once the network is fully restored. The PlayStation support page currently states that "some latency may be experienced due to high volume" and recommends that users who continue to experience problems after PSN services are fully recovered to Contact Support.
Both Microsoft's Xbox Live and Sony's PlayStation Network services began suffering connectivity and functionality issues on December 24. Users experienced various problems, where they couldn't sign in, access online games or features. Both services had sporadic moments of varying functionality to complete network outages during the outage period. Be sure to check out our feature to learn why successful DDoS attacks against gaming services keep happening.
Thank you, Twitter user Thesirharden. Jenna Pitcher is a freelance journalist writing for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter.