PlayStation 4 Error Code NP-38496-0: How to Fix It
Easy 15-45 minutes Medium Severity
Verified June 2026
- Error Code
- NP-38496-0
- Brand
- PlayStation 4
- Product Type
- game_platform
- Severity
- Medium
- DIY Difficulty
- Easy
- Estimated Fix Time
- 15-45 minutes
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Tools You'll Need
- Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable (for wired connection fix)
- Smartphone or computer (to check PSN server status and router admin panel)
- USB flash drive (optional, for offline PS4 system update)
How to Fix Error Code NP-38496-0
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Run the PS4 Network Speed Test
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Restart Your PS4 and Router/Modem
Make sure to fully power off the PS4 rather than using Rest Mode for this restart to be effective. -
Move Closer to Your Router or Reduce Wi-Fi Interference
-
Switch to a Wired Ethernet Connection
-
Change Your PS4 DNS Settings to Faster Servers
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Reduce Network Congestion on Your Home Network
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Pause and Resume the Download or Retry the Connection
-
Check PSN Server Status
-
Update PS4 System Software
Back up your PS4 saves to PS Plus cloud storage or a USB drive before performing a system update, just as a precaution. -
Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
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When to Call a Professional
If your internet speeds are consistently slow on all devices in your home — not just the PS4 — contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for a technician visit. An ISP technician can test your line quality, replace a degraded modem, or fix issues at the junction box or street-level infrastructure. If your router is several years old and consistently performs poorly even after rebooting and firmware updates, consider contacting a networking professional or replacing the router. No Sony repair technician is needed for this error, as it is purely a network/connectivity issue.Frequently Asked Questions
What does PS4 error NP-38496-0 mean?
Error NP-38496-0 means that your PlayStation 4 detected that your internet connection speed is too slow to complete a network task, such as downloading a game update, signing into PSN, or connecting to an online multiplayer session. It is not a hardware fault with your console — it is a network speed or stability problem.
How fast does my internet need to be for PS4 online gaming?
Sony recommends a minimum download speed of 3 Mbps and upload speed of 1 Mbps for basic PS4 online gaming and PSN access. However, for a smooth experience with game downloads and multiplayer gaming, 15–25 Mbps download or faster is recommended. You can check your current speed at Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection on your PS4.
Will switching from Wi-Fi to Ethernet fix error NP-38496-0?
In most cases, yes. A wired Ethernet connection is significantly more stable and faster than Wi-Fi, especially if your PS4 is far from your router or in a building with lots of wireless interference. Switching to Ethernet is the single most impactful fix for this error and is highly recommended for anyone who experiences frequent PS4 network errors.
Why does PS4 error NP-38496-0 only happen at certain times of day?
If the error appears mainly during evenings or weekends, it is likely caused by network congestion — either on your home network (too many devices using bandwidth at once) or on PSN's servers, which handle peak traffic during those hours. Try downloading or going online during early morning hours when fewer people are online, or prioritize your PS4's traffic in your router's QoS settings.
Can changing DNS settings really fix PS4 network speed errors?
Yes, DNS changes can help in some cases. Your ISP's default DNS servers can be slow or overloaded, which increases the time it takes to resolve server addresses and can make your connection feel sluggish. Switching to fast, reliable public DNS servers like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can reduce latency and improve overall network responsiveness on your PS4.