DNS Error PS4 [A DNS Server Cannot Be Used]: Diagnose & Fix

Find out what is a DNS error on PS4 & how to fix it for good ?

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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If you’re here, you’re most likely having issues with your DNS and your Playstation console. In case you’re wondering what is DNS on PS4. Now, DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it’s vital for mapping IP addresses to domain names.

If you try to connect to the Internet on a PS4 with incorrect DNS servers, you’re likely to get error messages, such as:

The most common DNS error PS4 users encounter takes the form of the NW-31253-4 error code. However, users experiencing similar issues have also reported the following cases:

Why does my PS4 say a DNS server cannot be used?

The reason for encountering these error messages is that you have misconfiguredDNSsettings. The consequence is grave enough to not be ignored.

With any of theseerrorsfrom the NW-31253-4 error code and beyond, you won’t be able to make use of PlayStation’s online services. In this sense, it’s fair to say that error code NW-31253-4 is similar toPlaystation’s network sign-in error.

So, what is a DNS error on PS4 exactly? It’s a connectivity error that can arise due to misconfiguredDNSsettings orwhen your network changes and the system attempts to map your old configuration to the new networking settings.

How do you fix a DNS error on PS4?

Before we dig here are a few preliminary checks for you to thick:

1. Manually configure DNS settings on PS4

Note: InStep 8, you can also use other DNS servers. For example, Open DNS –Primary: 208.67.222.222;Secondary: 208.67.220.220. Cloudflare DNS settings –Primary: 1.1.1.1,Secondary: 1.0.0.1.

If the DNSerrorPS4 still appears after configuring the correct DNS server settings, then you need to reset your network settings. Follow the guide below carefully.

2. Reset your DNS settings on PS4

How do you reset DNS settings on PS4? This method should do. Check if you’re still getting theNW-31253-4,NW-31254-5,NW-31250-1, andNW-31246-6PS4DNS errors.

Don’t worry, this method doesn’t delete your game data or media files. It only resets your console settings to their default values and fixes the PS4DNS errorstating that a DNS server cannot be used.

Manually configuring the DNS settings is PlayStation’s recommended fix for PS4DNS errors. Therefore, changing your DNS settings after resetting your console is bound to get rid of the annoyingerrors.

3. Disable the firewall and leave PS4 ports open

In order to obtain the IP address and other details that might come in handy such as DNS, subnet mask, and default Gateway:

Your PS4 requires specific ports in order to be able to properly communicate with dedicated servers from the PlayStation network.

If you own a router with a built-in firewall, the rules behind can end up blocking these ports and thus triggering the infamous DNS error PS4.

Apply the solutions above when your system shows you thePS4 system error saying that the DNS server cannot be used.

With workingDNSservers, you’ll be able to access all your PlayStation internet services with no issues.

DNS Error PS4 [A DNS Server Cannot Be Used]: Diagnose & Fix#

Why does my PS4 say a DNS server cannot be used?#

How do you fix a DNS error on PS4?#

1. Manually configure DNS settings on PS4#

2. Reset your DNS settings on PS4#

3. Disable the firewall and leave PS4 ports open#