Is the problem your internet, your console, or the game server?
A step-by-step way to find out where an online problem actually is before you change anything.
Troubleshooting
Step-by-step fixes for common console, controller and account problems.
Troubleshooting & fixes
How to test your connection properly
Why the console speed test misleads, and how to measure what actually matters for gaming.
Port forwarding — what it does and when it helps
What opening a port actually does, when it fixes a problem, and when it changes nothing.
UPnP vs port forwarding vs DMZ
Three ways to open a console to incoming connections, and which one to actually use.
NAT type and CGNAT — why Strict sometimes cannot be fixed
How to tell whether your Strict NAT is your router or your provider, in under a minute.
Why console downloads are slow, and how to speed them up
The real reasons a console downloads far slower than your subscription, and what actually helps.
Why games lag at night but not in the morning
What peak-hour congestion does to gaming, and the little you can do about it.
Learn morePS5 error CE-108255-1 — what it means and how to fix it
The most common PS5 error — a game crash. What causes it and the fixes in order.
Learn morePS5 error CE-107857-8 — what it means and how to fix it
A PS5 download or update failure — usually corrupted data or a full drive.
Learn morePS5 error CE-100028-1 — what it means and how to fix it
The PS5 storage-full error, and how to actually free up useful space.
Learn morePS5 error NW-102308-4 — what it means and how to fix it
The PS5 network communication error — what to check, in order.
Learn morePS5 error WS-116367-4 — what it means and how to fix it
What a PSN suspension means, why it happens, and what you can actually do.
Learn morePS5 error CE-100005-6 — what it means and how to fix it
A PS5 disc read failure — how to tell whether it is the disc or the drive.
Learn morePS5 Safe Mode and Rebuild Database — the fix for most errors
How to enter Safe Mode, what each option does, and which ones are safe to use.
Learn morePS5 will not turn on
What the light behaviour tells you, and the steps that fix most no-power cases.
Learn morePS5 overheating, fan noise and sudden shutdowns
Why a console overheats in a hot climate, and what actually prevents it.
Learn morePS5 controller will not connect or is drifting
How to re-pair a DualSense, fix connection drops, and what to do about stick drift.
Learn morePS5 shows no signal on the TV
What to check when the console is on but the screen stays black.
Learn morePS4 error CE-34878-0 — what it means and how to fix it
The most common PS4 error — an application crash. Causes and fixes in order.
Learn morePS4 error SU-42118-6 — system update failed
When a PS4 system update will not install, and how to install it from a USB drive instead.
Learn morePS4 blue light, or will not turn on
What the blue light actually means, and the steps that fix most no-start cases.
Learn morePS4 disc not reading or ejecting by itself
How to tell whether it is the disc or the drive, and what to do about each.
Learn morePS4 overheating and loud fan
Why older PS4s get loud and hot, and what actually fixes it.
Learn moreXbox will not turn on
The power-supply reset that fixes most Xbox no-power cases, plus what else to check.
Learn moreXbox controller will not connect
How to re-pair an Xbox controller and fix disconnections.
Learn moreNintendo Switch will not charge or turn on
The hard reset that revives most dead Switches, and what to check if it does not.
Learn moreNintendo Switch dock shows no picture on the TV
The cable order that fixes most dock problems, and what to check next.
Learn moreNintendo Switch will not connect to Wi-Fi
Why the Switch struggles with some routers, and the settings that fix it.
Learn moreYour gaming account has been hacked — what to do now
The immediate steps to recover a compromised PSN, Xbox, Nintendo or Steam account.
Learn moreA game will not install or update
Why installs stall or fail on any console, and the fixes that work.
Learn moreXbox error codes — how to read them and what to do
What the different Xbox error code formats mean, and the fixes each group needs.
Learn morePS5 disc drive not detected or not working
What to do when a PS5 does not recognise its disc drive, including the detachable drive.
Learn moreController will not charge or the battery drains fast
Why controller batteries fail, what to check, and what is normal wear.
Learn moreSave data lost or not syncing
How console saves actually work, how to recover them, and how to stop losing them.
Learn moreStore purchase and payment errors
Why a console store rejects a card, and what to do about each cause.
Learn moreConsole running slowly, freezing or crashing
What makes a console progressively slower, and the maintenance that fixes it.
Learn moreHDR looks washed out, too dark, or the colours are wrong
Why HDR often looks worse than SDR at first, and the settings that fix it.
Learn moreHeadset or microphone not working on console
Why a headset produces no sound or no voice, and how to fix each case.
Learn moreExternal drive not recognised by the console
Why a console rejects an external drive, and the requirements each one has.
Learn moreRest mode problems — console will not wake or downloads stop
Why rest mode causes trouble, how to configure it properly, and when to stop using it.
Learn moreA game started crashing after an update
What to do when a game that worked fine breaks after patching.
Learn moreController is delayed or not responding properly
How to tell whether delay is the controller, the console or the television.
Learn more