How to Connect to Wi-Fi on PS3 in 10 Steps, with Photos

Key Points

• The PS3, despite being over 15 years old, is still a favorite among gamers and has some online capabilities, like digital game downloads, that still work.
• Connecting the PS3 to Wi-Fi requires a similar process to other wireless devices, with a few extra steps for manual configuration.
• To connect your PS3 to Wi-Fi, you need to turn on the console, go to network settings, choose a setting method, select a connection method, scan for Wi-Fi networks, select your network, confirm the security type, enter the network password, finalize network settings, and test the internet connection.
• The PS3 also offers a wired connection option for faster and more reliable connectivity.
• Despite the discontinuation of online support by Sony and other developers, some game servers are still active and fans are keeping online multiplayer alive with their own servers.

If you have a PS3 lying around, then it makes sense to go ahead and connect it to Wi-Fi. Although the PS3 is over 15 years old, it is still a favorite of many gamers.

While online content is pretty limited for the aging console, you may be surprised to learn that some online capabilities, like digital game downloads, still work.

But before you start playing online, you have to figure out how to configure the internet. This is a pretty easy and straightforward process on most modern game consoles.

However, the PS3 is slightly different because online play wasn’t nearly as popular. The main confusion is where the PS3’s network settings are located in the menu. So, let’s get your PS3 connected to the internet!

How to Connect Your PS3 to Wi-Fi

Connecting the PS3 to Wi-Fi requires the same process as most modern wireless devices. However, there are a few extra steps, particularly if you choose to manually configure your Wi-Fi settings.

Beyond that, all you have to do is select your network, enter the password, and wait for the console to check the connection.

Step 1: Turn on Your PS3

First, start by powering your PS3 console on. There are a few different models available since Sony made hardware revisions throughout the console’s life.

However, each of them has a power button on the front. Alternatively, you can press the PlayStation button on the controller.

Step 2: Go to Network Settings

With the PS3 on, go ahead and scroll to the left until you reach the Settings menu. Your home screen may also vary depending on how long you’ve gone without updating it.

Regardless, the menu options are still the same. After moving over to Settings, scroll down and select “Network Settings.”

Step 3: Choose a Setting Method

Next, select “Easy” from the menu to start the connection process. The “Custom” option gives you more control over establishing a connection, but this is not necessary.

The next menu may take a moment to appear because the console will check its existing network settings.

Step 4: Select a Connection Method

The PS3 will ask whether you are using a wired or wireless connection. Since you are setting up Wi-Fi, select “Wireless.” If you decide to use an Ethernet cable later, you can always come back and set up another connection.

Step 5: Scan for Wi-Fi Networks

After choosing to set up a wireless connection, the PS3 will ask if you want it to scan for nearby wireless networks. The most common method is going to be scanning for available networks. However, you can also enter an SSID manually.

Step 6: Select Your Network

Once your console has scanned for available networks, you should get a list of the ones available. Look for your network name in the left column under SSID. You can also see its signal strength and security type on the right.

Step 7: Confirm the Security Type

After clicking on a network, you just need to verify that the SSID is correct and then select the security protocol you wish to use. Your options may vary depending on the network’s configuration, but WPA/WPA2 is the most common choice.

Step 8: Enter the Network Password

The next screen will ask for your network’s password. It is a little time-consuming to type in if you have a long password, but you only need to enter it once. After entering the password, the PS3 will take a moment to configure the Wi-Fi network settings.

Step 9: Finalize Network Settings

Now, you should be successfully connected to the internet. However, if you chose a custom setup at the beginning, this is where the console will start asking about more advanced settings.

For instance, you can manually configure the IP address and DNS protocols. Otherwise, you should get a list of settings that you must confirm.

Step 10: Test the Internet Connection

Once you’ve confirmed the network settings, the last thing to do is perform a network test. Just select “Test Connection,” and your console will connect to the internet.

It will also run through a number of tests, like connecting to PlayStation Network. If everything succeeds, then you are ready to start using the internet on your PS3.

PS3 Wired Connection

Another option that PS3 consoles offer is wired connectivity. You can actually plug an Ethernet cable from your router directly into your PS3 console.

The benefit is a faster and more reliable connection compared to Wi-Fi. This is great for intense multiplayer games where you don’t want to experience any lag or a dropped internet connection.

Overall, PS3 Wi-Fi works pretty well, but it relies on very outdated b and g protocols that were standard at the time of the console’s release. Most networks today rely on n or ac, which deliver faster speeds and broadcast data farther.

In some cases, you may try to connect your PS3 to your home network only to discover your signal isn’t strong enough. Ethernet is the best solution if your home is already wired for it.

To connect your PS3 to a wired internet connection, simply connect the Ethernet cable to your console and go to “Network Settings.”

Follow the steps above until you reach step 4, where you must select “Wired Connection” if it isn’t automatically detected. Then, choose “Easy” and select whether or not to use a proxy server before running a connection test.

Using Your PS3 with Wi-Fi

Since the PS4 and PS5 replaced the PS3, Sony ended support for many online functions. This may leave you wondering what the point of connecting to Wi-Fi is.

But, surprisingly, there are a number of game servers still active. You can also purchase some games from the store if you use a PlayStation Store credit already in your account.

Additionally, you can still use some streaming services, like Netflix. However, you are better off spending a few dollars on a new Roku than trying to use an aging PlayStation for streaming.

Despite Sony and many other game developers shutting down servers for PS3 games, some fans are keeping online multiplayer alive with their own servers.

Wrapping Up

Although connecting your PS3 console to the internet is a real pain, it just goes to show how much things have advanced nearly two decades later. After all this time, PS3 owners still manage to stay connected to the internet on the aging hardware.

Even with Sony and other developers pulling the plug on many online features, there is still a lot for you to experience by connecting a PS3 to Wi-Fi.

Summary Table

The image featured at the top of this post is ©oasisamuel/Shutterstock.com.