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How to Use NordVPN on PS4 & PS5

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Callum Tennent

Callum Tennent oversees how we test and review VPN services. He's a member of the IAPP, and his VPN advice has featured in Forbes and the Internet Society. Read full bio

Additional Research by Harry Ferrigno

  2. Guides
  3. VPN Features & Troubleshooting
  4. How to Use NordVPN on PS4 & PS5

Our Verdict

The best way to use NordVPN with your PS4/5 depends on your needs. To unblock streaming content, set up NordVPN’s Smart DNS tool. If you want to access gaming lobbies in different countries or protect your IP address, you’ll need to share the VPN connection from your PC or install it on your router.

illustration of a PlayStation remote with the NordVPN logo on, and a TV screen connected to the internet

Connecting your PlayStation to a good virtual private network (VPN) hides your IP address and spoofs your console’s real location.

NordVPN is a highly-rated VPN for gaming that can protect you from potential DoS attackers and prevent ISP throttling.

However, there isn’t a NordVPN app in the PlayStation Store as the PlayStation doesn’t support VPN apps. To use a VPN on your PS4 or PS5, you’ll need to use a workaround, such as sharing a VPN connection from your PC.

Quick Guide: How to Use NordVPN on PS5

  1. Subscribe to NordVPN and install it on a Windows PC.
  2. Enable Mobile Hotspot: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot on your PC, and turn it on.
  3. Configure Sharing: Right-click on NordVPN’s TAP adapter in Change Adapter Options. Under Properties > Sharing, allow other networks to connect and select your hotspot.
  4. Connect to a NordVPN server in your chosen location:.
  5. Connect your PS5 to the hotspot: On your PS5, go to Settings > Network and connect to your newly created hotspot.

Why Trust Us?

We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our advice is based on our own testing results and is unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.

Which Setup Method to Use

There are 3 different ways to set up NordVPN on PS4/5: using Smart DNS, sharing a VPN connection from your PC, or installing the VPN directly onto your router.

The best choice depends on what you want to do on your PlayStation using the VPN service.

To simplify this, see which use case best describes you and choose the installation method accordingly:

Use Case Recommended Setup Method Explanation
Unblock Streaming Apps Smart DNS NordVPN’s Smart DNS is quick and easy to set up and works with US Netflix, Max, Prime Video & more.
Access Geo-Blocked Games Share Connection from PC or Install on a Router NordVPN’s Smart DNS is limited to changing locations on streaming apps and won’t work for gaming.
Join Gaming Lobbies in Other Countries Share Connection from PC or Install on a Router Smart DNS only spoofs your location to the US, which is insufficient for accessing international gaming lobbies.
Bypass ISP Throttling Share Connection from PC Smart DNS doesn’t affect throttling, and installing a router may not be possible, particularly if your connection is throttled.
Prevent DoS Attacks Share Connection from PC or Install on a Router Smart DNS doesn’t mask your IP address, making it ineffective for preventing DoS attacks.

1. Set Up NordVPN's Smart DNS

We recommend using Smart DNS only for accessing geo-restricted streaming content, such as the US Netflix library. Smart DNS doesn’t hide your true IP address and won’t change your gaming location. You won’t benefit from any gaming-specific advantages, like easier lobbies or preventing DoS attacks.

NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature is straightforward to set up but is specifically designed to work only with US-based apps, including Peacock, Max, and the US versions of Disney+ and Prime Video.

How to Set Up NordVPN’s Smart DNS on PS4
  1. Make sure you have an active NordVPN subscription: If you don’t, subscribe to NordVPN through its website.
  2. Give NordVPN your IP address: Go to the NordVPN dashboard > Smart DNS > Enable > Activate Smart DNS.
  3. On your PS4, go to Settings: The icon looks like a toolbox.
  4. Select Network > Set up internet connection.
  5. Select Custom.
  6. Enter the following connection details:
    • Choose WiFi or LAN, depending on whether you have a wireless (WiFi) or wired (LAN) connection.
    • Choose IP address: Automatic.
    • Choose DHCP Host Name: Do not specify.
    • Choose DNS settings: Manual.
    • Set the primary DNS to 103.86.96.103.
    • Set the secondary DNS to 103.86.99.103.
How to Set Up NordVPN’s Smart DNS on PS5
  1. Subscribe to NordVPN if you haven’t got an account.
  2. Give NordVPN your IP address: Go to the NordVPN dashboard > Smart DNS > Enable > Activate Smart DNS.
  3. On your PS5, go to Settings: The icon looks like a cog.
  4. Select Network > Settings > Set up Internet Connection.
  5. Click your existing internet connection.
  6. Select Advanced Settings > DNS Settings > Manual
  7. Set the primary DNS to 103.86.96.103.
  8. Set the secondary DNS to 103.86.99.103.
NordVPN's Smart DNS set up on a PS5 console. Screenshot of Advanced Network Settings on a PS5.

We changed our DNS settings on the PS5 to unblock US streaming content.

2. Share a NordVPN Connection from a PC

Unlike Smart DNS, sharing a VPN connection via PC offers the added benefits of encrypting your internet traffic and concealing your IP address.

However, be warned that this method is complicated and not always reliable. Personally, we had to attempt this method several times, relying on assistance from NordVPN’s customer support and the Windows community forum, before finally getting it to work. Even then, the connection was not as stable as using a dedicated VPN router.

Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t support sharing a VPN connection on macOS. If you want to use a Mac to share a VPN connection, Surfshark is the recommended alternative.

How to Share Your VPN Connection via Ethernet
  1. Connect your PC to your WiFi.
    1. If you’re connecting to your router via an Ethernet cable, then ensure your PC has a second Ethernet port for the connection to your PS5. If not, you can connect wirelessly to your router.
  2. Connect your PC to your PlayStation via an Ethernet cable.
  3. On your PC, open Settings > Network & internet, and you’ll see your Ethernet cable and WiFi registered.
  4. Toggle on Mobile Hotspot.
  5. Start the VPN connection. Run NordVPN on your Windows device and connect to a server in your desired location using OpenVPN.
  6. Locate the TAP adapter.
    1. Windows 10: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options. Right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter and select Properties.
    2. Windows 11: Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings and there will be a list of Network adapters. Click on your VPN’s TAP adapter, and a drop-down menu appears. Go to More adapter options and click Edit.
  7. Click the Sharing tab and tick the box that says Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.
  8. Under Home networking connection, select Ethernet.
    1. If a permissions pop-up appears, click OK and continue.
  9. Now click OK.
  10. Head back to Network & internet, and you’ll see an Ethernet connection enabled.
  11. On your PS4/PS5, select Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection.
  12. Select Set Up Wired LAN and select Connect.
How to Share Your VPN Connection via WiFi
  1. Download and install NordVPN: If you haven’t already, sign up for NordVPN. Then download the Windows app and install it on your computer.
  2. Ensure your PC’s WiFi connection is established. And disconnect from NordVPN if it is running.
  3. Open the command prompt as administrator: Search for ‘cmd’ and then right-click the Command Prompt icon. Choose ‘Run as administrator’.
  4. Confirm the command prompt can make changes to your computer: A prompt should appear asking you to confirm this.
  5. Check you’re able to share your WiFi: At the command prompt, type in this: netsh wlan show drivers. Where it says ‘Hosted network supported’, it should say ‘Yes’. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to upgrade your adapter drivers or potentially even your wireless card.
  6. Configure the WiFi sharing: At the command prompt enter this: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NetworkName key=NetworkPassword. The NetworkName and NetworkPassword are just placeholders that you need to replace. Whatever you replace them with will be used by other devices (including your PS4/PS5) to connect to your PC. Make sure you pick a strong password to protect your connection, along with a network name you can easily identify. Then press Enter and you will see a message that confirms the hosted network mode has been set to ‘allow’.
  7. Begin WiFi sharing: At the command prompt, enter this: netsh wlan start hostednetwork. You should see a message that confirms the hosted network has started. You’ve finished with the command prompt window now. Next, we need to set the VPN to share, too.
  8. Go to the ‘Network and Sharing Center’ in Windows: You can find it in the Control Panel.
  9. Select ‘Change Adapter Settings’: You’ll find it on the left.
  10. Find the NordVPN TAP Adapter: It was set up when you installed NordVPN. Right-click it and choose ‘Properties’.
  11. Open the Sharing tab.
  12. Select ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection’.
  13. Under ‘Home Networking Connection’, choose ‘Local Area Connection’ and click OK.
  14. Run NordVPN and connect to a server. Now, any device that connects through your PC will use the VPN.
  15. On PS4:
    • Go to Settings > ‘Network’ > ‘Set Up Internet Connection’ > ‘Use WiFi’.
    • Set up the new connection using the network name and password you created in step 6.
  16. On PS5:
    • Go to Settings > ‘Network’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Set Up Internet Connection’.
    • Select your WiFi network and enter the network name and password you created in step 6.

3. Set Up NordVPN on Your Router

Installing NordVPN on a router will protect every device in your local network, including your games consoles. Based on our experience, it’s actually the most reliable way to use NordVPN on a PlayStation.

The router connection is more stable compared to an Ethernet connection, meaning we were never kicked out of a game unexpectedly. Plus, unlike Smart DNS, VPN routers hide your IP address, encrypt your connection, and unblock international streaming services (not just US ones).

You have three options for setting up NordVPN on a router: purchasing a pre-configured router, installing it on a VPN-compatible router, or flashing your current router before installing the VPN.

Personally, we recommend installing it on a VPN-compatible router. This approach allows you to choose between a wide range of router options and is relatively simple to set up with our step-by-step guide.

How to Set Up NordVPN on a Router

Popular brands offering VPN-enabled routers include ASUS, Linksys, and Netgear. The method to install NordVPN will differ by brand.

In the following example, we demonstrate using NordVPN with a Linksys router running DD-WRT firmware.

  1. Log in to DD-WRT. Enter your router’s IP address in a browser to access the admin dashboard.
  2. Configure Network Settings. Go to Setup > Basic Setup, then under Network Address Settings (DHCP):

    Static DNS 1: 103.86.96.100
    Static DNS 2: 103.86.99.100
    Static DNS 3: 0.0.0.0
    Use DNSMasq for DHCP: Checked
    Use DNSMasq for DNS: Checked
    DHCP-Authoritative: Checked
    Click Save and Apply Settings.
  3. Disable IPv6 (Optional). Go to Setup > IPv6, set to Disable, then Save and Apply Settings.
  4. Enable OpenVPN Client. Go to Service > VPN and set Start OpenVPN Client to Enable.
  5. Get VPN Server Info. Visit https://nordvpn.com/servers/tools/ and note the server hostname.
  6. Configure OpenVPN Client. Input the following:

    Server IP/Name: The server hostname from Step 5
    Port: 1194 (or 443 for TCP)
    Tunnel Device: TUN
    Tunnel Protocol: UDP (or TCP)
    Encryption Cipher: AES-256 CBC
    Hash Algorithm: SHA512
    User Pass Authentication: Enable
    Username, Password: Your NordVPN credentials
  7. Set Advanced Options. Enable Advanced Options and configure:

    TLS Cipher: None
    LZO Compression: Disabled
    NAT: Enable
  8. Additional Config. Paste the following:

    remote-cert-tls server
    remote-random
    nobind
    tun-mtu 1500
    tun-mtu-extra 32
    mssfix 1450
    persist-key
    persist-tun
    ping-timer-rem
    reneg-sec 0
  9. Download OpenVPN Config. Download the OpenVPN UDP (or TCP) config from the NordVPN server page and open it in a text editor.
  10. Set Up CA Cert. Copy the text between <ca> and </ca> (excluding tags) and paste it into CA Cert.
  11. Set Up TLS Auth Key. Copy the text between <tls-auth> tags and paste it into the TLS Auth Key box.
  12. Save Settings. Click Save and Apply Settings.
Using NordVPN on Router to Stream

We installed NordVPN on our test router to stream Max in the UK.

What You Can Do with a VPN on PlayStation

A VPN improves gaming on the PS4 and PS5 by hiding your IP address from other gamers and, in rare cases, improving speed and performance levels. It can also unblock films and TV on international streaming services by reliably spoofing your location.

Testing the internet connection on a PS5 console

Using a VPN enhances your PS5 experience in many ways.

1. Protect Yourself from DoS Attacks

Many games like Call Of Duty use P2P matchmaking to connect gamers. Much like with torrenting, this exposes your public IP address to everyone within the game. If you livestream on Twitch, anyone watching the stream can also see your IP address.

Attackers can then flood your connection with spam traffic, which will slow down your internet speed and make it extremely difficult for you to compete effectively. This is known as a Denial of Service (or DoS) attack.

However, a VPN won’t stop a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, as they are faster, longer-lasting, and use multiple sources of traffic.

It’s therefore best to use a VPN to hide your IP address from other gamers. When you connect to the VPN server, your personal IP address will become masked by the IP address of the server, meaning you’re safe from IP-based targeting.

2. Unblock International Streaming Services

Streaming platforms like Netflix offer different content catalogs depending on your location.

By masking your IP address and spoofing your location, a high-quality VPN like NordVPN lets you unblock streaming content normally unavailable in your region.

However, for many services, you’ll need to share a NordVPN from your PC or set it up on a router. We found its Smart DNS tool doesn’t unblock any services from outside the US, including BBC iPlayer, Star on Disney+ UK, and Hotstar India.

Unblock international streaming apps on PS5 with a VPN

We unblocked BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, and Disney+ with NordVPN on PS5.

3. Bypass ISP Throttling

Some ISPs will throttle high-bandwidth activity – such as gaming, streaming and torrenting – causing slower speeds and longer latency.

If you travel with your PlayStation, hotels or other public WiFi providers might also throttle your connection in an attempt to reduce bandwidth consumption.

With a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted, meaning your service provider cannot see what it is you’re doing. If they can’t determine your activity, they can’t throttle your connection. A VPN is therefore a great way to avoid ISP throttling and enjoy unrestricted speeds on PS4 and PS5.

Diagram of a VPN stopping internet throttling

Using a VPN hides your traffic and online activity from your ISP.

Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your traffic, so it won’t bypass ISP throttling. You’ll need to either share a NordVPN connection via a virtual router or install it directly onto your internet router.

4. Improve Connection Speeds and Overall Performance

A VPN almost always slows your connection down to some degree, so you might be surprised to hear that using one can actually cut game latency and improve overall performance.

If you connect to a VPN server that is close to a gaming server, you can improve speed relative to your standard internet connection, which may take a less direct route to the server.

You can often find out where gaming servers are located by Googling for them.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), for example, has servers in Virginia (US), London (UK), and Sydney (Australia), among other places. Fortnite has servers in Ohio (US), Osaka (Japan), and Frankfurt (Germany), plus 13 other places.

Be aware that the connection between your PlayStation and the VPN server will take longer if it’s further away from you, though. So you’ll need to experiment to find the optimal end-to-end speed.

You’ll also need to make sure you’re using a fast VPN with a low ping time.

A VPN Won’t Let You Get PS Games Cheaper & Earlier

It’s often claimed you can use a VPN to change the region of your PlayStation Store, access early game releases, geo-restricted in-game content (DLC), and cheaper regional pricing. Unfortunately, this isn’t true.

You cannot use a VPN to change the PlayStation Store region of your PlayStation Network account.

The region of your PS Store is determined by the location and address you enter when creating your PlayStation Network (PSN) account. If you input the US as your location, then you’ll only ever be able to access the US PlayStation Store, no matter where you are in the world. The account’s region cannot be changed after it has been created.

Screenshot of PlayStation Store notification saying: This product is unavailable for the following reasons: You're viewing a storefront different from your home country/region.

The PlayStation store redirects you to your PSN region’s storefront.

Therefore, the only way to gain access to early game releases and cheaper store prices is to create a new PSN account and register it in your desired region.

This process doesn’t require a VPN. As long as you can supply an acceptable ZIP or postal code from your chosen region, PlayStation doesn’t appear to cross-reference this with the geolocation information supplied by your IP address. Simply set up your new PSN account and enjoy access to the new region’s Store.

However, this can be a complicated and impractical solution because:

  1. You cannot transfer any previously purchased games, downloaded in-game content, PS Store credits, friends lists, or trophies from your existing PSN account to the new one.

  2. Purchases need to be made using a credit card or PayPal account that is registered in the same region as the store you’re accessing.

  3. The PSN Terms Of Service do state that you must “give accurate information about yourself,” which presumably includes your true location. It also says that PlayStation may suspend your account “if you give [it] false information.”

Is NordVPN a Good Choice for PS4/PS5?

NordVPN's app for Windows

Pros Cons
Fast ping & connection speeds Doesn’t have a router app
Servers in 111 countries Smart DNS tool doesn’t work with streaming apps outside the US
Unblocks Netflix, Max, Hulu, Disney+ & other streaming services Doesn’t support sharing a connection from Mac
Private logging policy
Available for cheaper than some other top VPNs

NordVPN is a great choice for accessing geo-blocked content on PlayStation, hiding your IP address from other gamers, and preventing your ISP from throttling your activity.

It’s an extremely fast VPN that you can trust to keep you private and secure online.

Reviewing NordVPN, we concluded it’s easily one of the best VPN services around and is excellent for gaming, streaming, and web browsing on your PS4/PS5.

Very Fast Connection Speeds

Speed is a top priority when choosing a VPN for online gaming. There are two measurements that are important to consider:

Ping time measures how long it takes data to travel from your device to the gaming server and back again. You need a low ping time to ensure the game experience is snappy, and you’re not outmaneuvered by someone with a more responsive connection. A ping time over 100ms will feel slow and laggy.

Download speed indicates how quickly data travels from the gaming server to your computer. Generally speaking, you’ll notice a download speed drop by anything more than 10%.

We regularly test the ping and download speeds of over 61 VPNs. Based on our latest round of tests, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market.

NordVPN can sustain these fast speeds thanks to its massive server network. It also automatically connects you to less-congested servers. Its ping times are low enough to play fast-paced games like CS:GO without lag.

Here’s how NordVPN performed in our speed tests connecting to different servers around the world:

Works Well with Streaming Services

NordVPN is an excellent choice for streaming on PlayStation. Whichever way you want to configure your connection (via Smart DNS, Windows PC, or router), it works to unblock US Netflix, Max, Disney+, Hulu, and more.

As previously mentioned, Smart DNS only works with US streaming services. If you want to unblock and additional 16 Netflix libraries and streaming services from other countries, we recommend using sharing your VPN connection from a PC or using a VPN router.

6,328 Servers Spread Across 111 Countries

NordVPN has one of the biggest server networks we’ve seen. It operates a network of 6,328 servers which are distributed across 111 countries.

This allows you to unblock a wide range of geo-restricted gaming content on your PlayStation as well as international streaming libraries.

NordVPN US server config files

NordVPN has a huge selection of server locations available for manual configuration on routers.

Top-Tier Encryption & Security Features

NordVPN ensures top-tier security with its use of ultra-secure encryption standards, including AES-256 and ChaCha20, both recognized as industry-leading.

In addition, NordVPN supports robust VPN protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, providing reliable protection for your gaming traffic against ISP throttling and potential cyber threats.

During our recent tests, NordVPN demonstrated flawless performance with no leaks, ensuring our true IP address remained hidden from other gamers who might use it to carry out cyberattacks.

When sharing your VPN connection via a Windows PC, we highly recommend enabling NordVPN’s kill switch. This feature ensures that your real IP address stays concealed even if your internet connection drops unexpectedly during gameplay.

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