The PlayStation Network (PSN) is the online service for the PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation 4 (PS4) PlayStation 5 (PS5), and PlayStation Vita. It allows users to play games online, download game content, watch other gamers' gameplay, or stream their own gameplay live. 

One of the most common issues with the PSN is randomly signing out. The first thing to note is that this maybe an issue with your internet connection. 


This can happen regardless of whether you have a cable connection or wireless internet access point. The second thing to note is that this maybe related to certain games.

Below is a list of reasons why you are randomly signing out of PSN and how to fix them.

  • Unstable internet connection
  • Someone has your details
  • Simultaneously signed in
  • Software bug
  • Account not verified
  • PSN Server issues
Note: This Guide applies to PS vita, PS3, PS4 and PS5. 

PSN randomly signing out when signed in


1. Unstable internet connection

The PSN is a server. Your connection to it is the same issues as any other internet connection. If your PlayStation 4 keeps signing out of PSN it could be due to an unstable internet connection, here are some things you can try:

Check your Wi-Fi signal.

If you're using Wi-Fi, make sure that you have a strong signal and that there aren't any other devices hogging your bandwidth. 

If your router isn't powerful enough or if there are too many devices connected to it at once, the bandwidth can become low and this could cause problems with your consoles connection to the internet causing PSN signing out randomly. 

Check your Ethernet cable.

If you're using an Ethernet cable to connect your console directly to your modem or router instead of using Wi-Fi, check the connection between the two there maybe a loose connection. 

Try disconnecting the Ethernet cable from both the console and the router/modem and plugging it back in again before reconnecting everything else. If you're having trouble try setting up your internet connection using wired option in the settings of your console. 

If wired connection is not detected, check the cable that both ends are good. If you are having trouble with one end of the cable but not the other, try replacing it with another one

Make sure that all firmware updates have been applied on both devices involved in the setup process (console and router/modem).


Check the NAT type

If you have confirmed your internet connection is stable but you are still randomly being signed out of PSN try checking your Network address translation type (NAT) type. 

Make sure you are using using NAT type 1 or 2, if your  NAT type is 3 then that could be the reason why you are randomly being signed of PSN. 

NAT type 3 is strict and doesn't allow you to connect to other NAT type 3 users online, It closes most of the ports as you connect to the internet and slows down the internet which may cause random PSN sign outs.


2. Someone has your details

Another possible reason why you are randomly being signed out of PSN could be someone has your sign in details and is constantly trying to sign in. 

If this is the case change your PSN sign ID and Password.

To Change your PSN sign in ID follow the instructions below:


  1. Sign into PSN Account Management by clicking this link  [Account Management]
  2. Click on Security on the left sidebar
  3. Click Edit Sign-In ID (Email Address) and change your sign in ID (Note: you will have to confirm your new Sign in ID)
  4. Click Edit Password to change your sign in Password and click save
You can now sign in to PSN on your console to see if the issue is resolved.


3. Simultaneously signed in

If your account is signed in on another device or you've signed in on another device while already having an active session, PSN will automatically sign you out because it only allows one active session per account. 

You will need to sign out of all active sessions to do this follow the instructions below





  1. Sign into PSN account management by clicking this link [Account Management]
  2. Click on Security on the sidebar 
  3. Click on Sign out on all Devices on the bottom right
This should sign you out on all Devices, Now try to sign in again on your PSN to see if this resolves your issue.



4. Software bug

If you continue being randomly signed out of PSN it could be a software bug, If you recently Updated your console before you noticed the issue it could be a software bug. 

You will have to update your console to the latest firmware through safe mode. To update through safe mode on PS4 follow the steps below:
  1. Download the latest software update Here
  2. Put it in an External Hard drive or flash Drive formatted with FAT32/EXfat  in the following directory [Flash Drive:\PS4\UPDATE] and save it as "PS4UPDATE.PUP"
  3. Plug in your External Hard drive or flash drive to the PS4 
  4. Turn off your PS4 completely (It shouldn't be in Rest mode)
  5. Press and hold the power until you hear a beep, Now continue holding the power button until you hear a second beep. You can now let go of the power button.
  6. Connect your Controller using the USB cable and press the PS button. This should put you in safe mode.
  7. Select option 3 [Update System software] 
  8. Select Update from USB storage and follow the on screen instructions
If the issue persists you will have to wait for Sony to fix the software bug in the next system update.


To update your PS5 follow the steps below:

  1. Download the latest system software from PlayStation Here
  2. Format your USB storage with FAT32 file system.
  3. Create a folder in the root of your USB Storage named PS5 and inside the folder another folder named UPDATE. Now it should be USB Storage:\PS5\UPDATE
  4. Put the file you downloaded in step 1 in the directory USB Storage > PS5 > UPDATE.
  5. Now plug in the USB storage into the PS5 and start the PS5 in to safe mode by holding the on button until you hear a second beep (PS5 should be off)
  6. Select option 3 [Update System Software]
  7. Select [Update from USB Storage] and follow the on screen instructions



5. PSN Account Not Verified

Another reason why you are randomly being signed out of PSN could be your account is not verified. If your account is not verified you will randomly be signed out of PSN because PSN does not allow unverified accounts hence leading to random sign outs.


6. Server Issues

If you have tried everything above and you are still being randomly signed out of PSN it could be that Sony is having Server issues. This usually doesn't last long and should be fixed within hours or a few days.

You can check if PSN is having server issues by clicking HERE and then choose you country or region. You should now see a page that shows you if PSN is down in your region or country.

You should see something similar like the picture below.

PSN server status check
Ensure that every is checked green and that all services are up and running. If not then PSN is down and you should only wait as it doesn't take forever to come back up.


Final Thought

There are a lot of reasons why PSN may be signing out randomly, but the most common is probably due to an unstable internet connection. If you're having issues with your network connection, you can try changing your DNS settings or switching to a wired connection.

If that doesn't work, there's a chance that the problem is related to your router or firewall. 

There are also some situations where you may need to check your console's firmware update and make sure it's current. If not, PSN will sign out randomly because it requires you to be on the latest firmware.

See also: How long can a PS4 stay on


FAQs

Why does my PSN account sign out randomly?

Random PSN sign-outs can be caused by various factors, including network instability, PSN server maintenance, outdated system software, security measures, and parental control settings.


How can I check if the issue is with my network or PSN servers?

Before troubleshooting, visit the official PSN status page to check for ongoing maintenance or server issues. If the status is normal and you're still experiencing sign-outs, the issue might be related to your network or console.


How can I improve my network connection to prevent random sign-outs?

To enhance your network connection, consider using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, ensuring your router is functioning optimally, and minimizing network congestion by limiting simultaneous device usage.


Can outdated system software lead to random sign-outs?

Yes, running outdated system software on your PlayStation console can result in compatibility issues with PSN servers, leading to unexpected sign-outs. This usually happens if you have spoofed your firmware version as you can't sign in to PSN on an outdated firmware unless it is spoofed.


What steps can I take to secure my PSN account?

To secure your account, update your password regularly, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and avoid sharing account information. These measures reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential sign-out issues.


How can I troubleshoot network related sign-out issues?

Try restarting your router, using a wired connection, moving closer to the router to improve Wi-Fi signal strength, and checking for other devices causing network congestion.


Is there a way to avoid sign-outs during PSN server maintenance?

Unfortunately, during PSN server maintenance, users might experience forced sign-outs. It's recommended to be patient and wait for maintenance to conclude before logging in again.


If none of the solutions work, what should I do?

If you've tried all the recommended solutions and continue to experience random sign-outs, consider reaching out to PlayStation Support for personalized assistance. They can help diagnose and address the issue further.