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My PS3 Won't Connect to the Wireless Internet

Connecting your PS3 to the Internet wirelessly can be tricky to set up.
wlan router 04 image by PM Photo from Fotolia.com

Connecting your PlayStation 3 to a wireless network gets you all the benefits of physically plugging it into a router. You can stream media to it from your computer, download and play games online, and browse the Internet. Wireless connections are a bit more prone to technical difficulties than wired connections, though. If you're having trouble connecting your PS3 to your wireless router, there are a few things you can try.

Things You'll Need:

  • Modem
  • Ethernet Cable
  • Wireless Router

Check your PlayStation 3 model. The 20GB model doesn't have a wireless adapter, making it unable to connect to a wireless network on its own.

Check whether your Internet connection is working on another computer on your home network. The problem might be with your Internet connection, rather than your PS3.

Check whether the wireless router is properly plugged into your modem. The Ethernet cable should be plugged into the "WAN" or "Internet" port on the back of your wireless router. Skip this step if you have a modem/wireless router combo device.

Disable the PS3's media server connection. From the main menu, go to "Settings," then "Network Settings," select "Media Server Connection," and pick "Disable" from the menu on the right.

Unplug any USB devices connected to your modem.

Unplug the modem and wireless router's power cables. Leave them unplugged for at least two minutes, then plug them back in.

Double-check the name of your home network. If your PS3 has even one letter or digit wrong, it won't connect.

Double-check the password you entered when attempting to join the network. Again, one wrong digit prevents you from connecting to the network.

Turn off or move microwaves, fluorescent lighting, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, computer monitors and radios. They produce radio waves that can interfere with the PS3's wireless reception.

Move your PS3 closer to the wireless router.

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