Elden Ring PS5 Multiplayer Not Working? A Complete Network Fix Guide

The Lands Between was designed to be shared. Summoning a fellow Tarnished for a brutal boss fight, or defending your world against an invader—Elden Ring's multiplayer is one of its defining features. But on PS5, connection problems have plagued the experience since launch. Summoning signs that won't appear, fog walls that never dissolve, phantom fingers that send you into infinite loading.

This guide focuses specifically on PS5 network issues and the fixes that work.

How Elden Ring Multiplayer Works on PS5

Understanding the system helps diagnose the problem.

Elden Ring uses a hybrid networking model:

• Matchmaking server: FromSoftware's servers handle the initial matching—finding summoning signs, processing invasion requests, and managing player pools
• Peer-to-peer gameplay: Once matched, the actual gameplay connection between players is P2P. Your PS5 connects directly to the other player's PS5.

This means multiplayer can fail at two points: the matchmaking phase (server connection) or the gameplay phase (P2P connection). Different symptoms point to different failures.

Symptom Diagnosis

Signs That Matchmaking Is Failing

• No summoning signs appear at summoning pools
• "Unable to summon cooperator" after touching a sign
• Invasions never find a world to join
• Colosseum matchmaking times out

These indicate your PS5 can't communicate with FromSoftware's servers effectively.

Signs That P2P Connection Is Failing

• You get summoned but experience extreme lag
• Cooperators or invaders appear frozen, then teleport
• You get disconnected mid-fight with a "connection error" message
• Phantoms appear and disappear randomly

These indicate the direct connection between you and other players is poor.

Fix 1: HYPEREV Gaming Router

The most comprehensive solution for PS5 network issues is a dedicated gaming router like HYPEREV.

HYPEREV is built specifically for console gaming and offers:

• Network nodes in 150+ countries: Connects you through optimized global infrastructure, reducing the distance to both FromSoftware's servers and other players
• Adaptive intelligent routing: Continuously analyzes available network paths and selects the lowest-latency option. When network conditions change mid-session, HYPEREV adapts without dropping your connection
• Console-first design: Unlike PC gaming tools that require software installation, HYPEREV works at the network hardware level—it's compatible with PS5 out of the box

For Elden Ring specifically, HYPEREV addresses both matchmaking failures (by improving server connectivity) and P2P issues (by optimizing the route to other players).

Fix 2: PS5 Network Settings

Your PS5's network configuration has a direct impact on multiplayer connectivity.

Use a Wired Connection

Wi-Fi is the single biggest variable in PS5 network performance. If your PS5 is more than one room away from your router, or if you live in an apartment building with dozens of competing Wi-Fi networks, wireless performance will be inconsistent.

Connect your PS5 directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. If running a cable isn't practical:

• Use a powerline adapter as an alternative
• If you must use Wi-Fi, connect to the 5GHz band (faster, less interference than 2.4GHz)
• Position your PS5 as close to the router as possible

Optimize DNS Settings

Default ISP DNS servers are often slow. Switch to faster public DNS:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection
2. Select your current connection
3. Choose Advanced Settings
4. Set DNS Settings to Manual
5. Enter:
   • Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google)
   • Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4 (Google)
   • Alternative: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare)

This can improve the speed at which your PS5 resolves matchmaking server addresses.

Adjust MTU Settings

MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) affects packet size. Some networks handle smaller packets better:

1. In the same Advanced Settings menu
2. Set MTU Settings to Manual
3. Try 1473 first—if issues persist, try 1450

This is particularly helpful if you're experiencing packet fragmentation issues.

Fix 3: Change Your NAT Type

NAT type is critical for Elden Ring's P2P multiplayer. Here's what each type means:

• Type 1 (Open): Direct connection to the internet. Best for multiplayer, but requires your PS5 to be directly connected to your modem (no router).
• Type 2 (Moderate): Connected through a router with proper port forwarding. This is the ideal realistic setup.
• Type 3 (Strict): Behind a restrictive router/firewall. This severely limits who you can connect to and often causes summoning failures.

To check your NAT type: Settings → Network → Connection Status → View Connection Status

If Your NAT Type Is Type 3

You need to open your network for gaming traffic. Two approaches:

Option A: Enable UPnP (Easier)

1. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1)
2. Find UPnP settings (usually under Advanced or NAT)
3. Enable UPnP
4. Restart your router and PS5

UPnP lets your PS5 automatically request the ports it needs. Most modern routers support this.

Option B: Port Forwarding (More Reliable)

If UPnP doesn't work or you prefer manual control:

1. Find your PS5's IP address (Settings → Network → Connection Status)
2. Log into your router
3. Navigate to Port Forwarding
4. Create rules for these ports:

5. Point all rules to your PS5's IP address
6. Restart your router and PS5

After either method, recheck your NAT type. It should change from Type 3 to Type 2.

Fix 4: Update Everything

Version mismatches are a common and overlooked cause of multiplayer problems.

Update Elden Ring:

1. Highlight Elden Ring on your PS5 home screen
2. Press Options → Check for Update
3. Install any available patches

Update PS5 System Software:

1. Settings → System → System Software → System Software Update and Settings
2. Select Update System Software
3. Install if available

Why this matters: Elden Ring's multiplayer requires all players to be on the same game version. If you're on an older patch, you're effectively in a different player pool. System software updates also include networking improvements from Sony.

Fix 5: Router-Level Adjustments

A few router settings can improve PS5 multiplayer:

• DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): As a last resort, place your PS5 in your router's DMZ. This exposes it fully to the internet, bypassing all firewall restrictions. Less secure but eliminates NAT issues entirely.
• Disable SIP ALG: Found in many routers, this feature can interfere with gaming traffic. Look for it under Security or NAT settings.
• Set a static IP for your PS5: Assign a fixed IP address to your PS5 in your router's DHCP settings. This ensures port forwarding rules always apply to the correct device.

Troubleshooting Specific Scenarios

"I can see summoning signs but can never summon successfully"

This usually means matchmaking works but P2P connections fail. Focus on NAT type fixes and wired connection.

"My friend and I can't find each other's signs"

• Confirm you're using the same multiplayer password
• Make sure you're both in the same game version
• Check that neither of you has a summoning level cap issue (use a password to bypass level restrictions)
• Both players should have NAT Type 1 or 2

"I get summoned but disconnected within 2 minutes"

This pattern suggests an unstable P2P connection. Try HYPEREV or GearUP to stabilize the route, and switch to wired if on Wi-Fi.

"Multiplayer worked yesterday but not today"

Check if FromSoftware's servers are experiencing issues. Server outages affect all players and usually resolve within hours. Also check if your ISP has made any changes to your connection.

The Bottom Line

Elden Ring PS5 multiplayer problems usually trace back to one of four things: NAT type restrictions, unstable connections, DNS slowness, or version mismatches. Start by checking your NAT type—if it's Type 3, fix that first as it has the biggest impact. Then optimize your DNS, switch to wired, and ensure everything is updated. For the most reliable experience, HYPEREV handles the networking optimization so you can focus on not dying to Malenia for the 47th time.

For a visual walkthrough of these fixes, check out our video guide.