Fixing PS4 Error NP-31928-3 – Multiple Solutions

Written by Oliver in PlayStation Error Codes

The PS4 error NP-31928-3 often comes up when users are in parties, kicking them out or stopping them connecting to the chat parties. The error message “Could not connect to the network/party” sometimes also comes up. Where does this error come from and are there any fixes?

Errors that result in players getting kicked from parties most often result from incorrect network settings or NAT type conflicts. Resetting and updating your PS4 and router, as well as using DMZ settings to get Open NAT type, are two common solution to fix this error code. Changing to Google DNS (8.8.8.8; 8.8.4.4) can also in rare cases help.

This is quite an awkward and complex error code, and a number of different solutions have worked for different users in getting rid of this.

Lets start off with some simpler and quicker solutions to try, before moving onto more advanced solutions which can sometimes resolve this error code.

Step 1 – Reset & Power Cycle All Devices

We can start off trying to resolve this error by doing some quick and full resets of our PS4 and router. This can sometimes refresh our internet settings and get rid of these party errors.

Here are some things to try:

  • Quick reset your PS4 and router.
  • If you are on Manual/Custom internet settings, then reconfigure your connection as Easy/Default. Go to Settings….Network…Set up Internet Connection and then select the Easy/Automatic option.
  • Go to Settings….Network…and Uncheck the Internet Connection box. Then restart your PS4 and recheck the box.
  • Power cycle your router and PS4, fully unplugging them for 5-10 minutes before restarting them – router first, then the PS4 once the router has come fully back online.
  • If you are on Wi-Fi, try moving your PS4 and router closer together.
  • In rare cases, it may be a weak connection kicking you from the servers or party – try moving onto a wired connection instead, either using a long ethernet cable or a powerline adapter.

Step 2 – Check For System Software Updates on The PS4

If these quick reset/restart fixes don’t work, another thing you can check for is that your PS4 is fully up to date. Lets run through three different ways of doing this:

  • Method 1 – Quick Way
      • Go the Settings….System Software Update.
      • Check for and install any updates
      • If your PS4 is already fully up to date, skip this section and move onto the other solutions below. Sometimes however the normal mode check can say it’s up to date when it isn’t – it is a good idea to try the Safe Mode option we’ll go through now.
  • Method 2 – Safe Mode Update.
      • Reboot your console in Safe Mode by pressing and holding the power button on your PS4 for 7 seconds.
      • You need to plug your controller in to use Safe Mode.
      • Once there, select Option 3 – System Update.
      • Perform the update and reboot in normal mode.
      • See the video below for a demonstration of how to use Safe Mode.
  • Method 3 – Update via USB
      • Use this method if you can’t get online on your PS4 to even install an update.
      • Follow the instructions on this page to download the latest update file.
      • Download the update on any internet connected device with a USB attached.
      • Have at least a couple of GB free and create a file on the USB with a name you will know like “PS4 Update”. Save the file as a .pup extension.
      • Once downloaded, boot up your PS4 and go to Settings….System Software Update. Make sure the USB is plugged in the front of the PS4.
      • Select the Update From USB option instead of from the internet.
      • Perform the update and reboot your PS4.
https://youtu.be/EPQSfSK4jGQ

 

Whilst in Safe Mode, there are also two other options – Option 4 – Restore Default Settings, and Option 5 – Rebuild Database, that can also sometimes resolve these networking errors. Option 4 is very quick and just restores all network and other settings to default, and does not delete any data.

Option 5 is more in depth and can take up to an hour, but will repair any corrupted files on your PS4 which may on rare occasions be causing these error messages.

Step 3 – Try Changing the DNS Servers on Your PS4

If the previous two steps have still not got rid of the error code, then you can also try manually configuring the DNS servers on your PS4. Normally, when set to Automatic, the PS4 will use the default DNS servers of your ISP, which may on occasion not work properly and cause connection problems to servers and other gamers.

Overriding this and putting your own DNS servers in manually can sometimes fix this problem. Here are the steps to do this:

  • Go to Settings….Network……Set Up Internet Connection
  • Select Wi-Fi or LAN depending on your connection. Plug into your router and use wired if the Wi-Fi doesn’t work.
  • Select Custom setup
  • Run through all the settings as they are, without changing them, until you get to DNS Settings
  • For DNS Settings, switch to Manual
  • Input these Google DNS servers: Primary: 8.8.8.8 Secondary: 8.8.4.4
  • You can also use other free DNS servers; here are two common pairs:
      • Cloudflare DNS – Primary 1.1.1.1 Secondary 1.0.0.1
      • Open DNS – Primary 208.67.222.222 Secondary 208.67.220.220
      • If one pair don’t work, try another pair. See our article on the best DNS for gaming for more information.
  • See just below for a video demo of how to do this.
https://youtu.be/cN9W0-ZhCX4

 

Step 4 – Try Using DMZ Settings to Resolve NAT Type Issues

Finally, we move onto the most complex solution to this problem, that of NAT type errors. If you are having problems connecting to parties and other players on the PS4, then it is often down to what is know as a NAT error or conflict between gamers.

This is when some or all players are either on restrictive or conflicting NAT types, which hinder connectivity between consoles online. Players find they can’t get in parties, or sometimes can stay in them only for a short while before getting kicked with this NP-31928-3 error code, or another error (NP-31950-8 is also not uncommon with party errors).

The best way to resolve this is for all gamers to get on a Open NAT type if possible. NAT type 3 by contrast is often the most problematic with these party errors; NAT Type 2 is generally OK but can still cause problems. NAT Type 1 or Open NAT is the perfect spot for games consoles. See our article on the Best NAT Type for Gaming for more on this.

Check your current NAT Type by going to Settings…Network….Test Internet Connection and noting what it tells you for NAT Type.

If you find yourself on NAT Type 2 or 3, it is a good idea to move to Open NAT instead. There are different ways of doing this, but the easiest way on games consoles is to use DMZ settings.

Placing your PS4 in the DMZ section of your router fully opens it up to the internet for the best possible connection to other gamers, removing all firewall filtering and allowing for a pretty much direct, unfiltered connection to other PS4 users. This can be useful if NAT conflicts are getting in the way of your connection and causing these party errors.

Here are the steps for configuring DMZ settings:

  •  Prep – Log into your router using it’s IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 1.1 for last two) plus password found on the back or online. Find DMZ settings and check whether it asks for an IP address or MAC address to configure. MAC address is easier option. If it requires IP address then follow the steps in the video to set a static IP address.
  • Find and note down your console’s IP and/or MAC address in the Connection Status/Settings menu depending on what the router needs entering. These settings are easy to find within the menus of all games consoles.
  • If required make the current IP address fixed or static by reconfiguring your connection manually with the IP address as described in this video. We also have an article on how to do it here. If the router only requires a MAC address entering in DMZ then you don’t need to do this step.
  •  Log into your router using it’s IP address and password, found on the back or on Google. 192.168.0.1 or 1.1 is most common for the IP address. Type this into your browser’s address bar and enter the router password.
  •  Go to DMZ settings, usually under “Security” or “Advanced” or similar.
  •  Enter in your console’s static IP address you just configured if needed, or MAC address depending on what it asks for. If it asks for just the MAC address the whole process is easy; some routers ask for an IP address which requires we configure a static IP as detailed above.
  •  Save settings and exit router. You have now placed your console in the DMZ for fully open ports and Open NAT type.

If you seem to be having party and lobby connection issues with a specific player or set of players only, then it is a good idea to encourage them to configure DMZ settings on their consoles as well. In theory it shouldn’t make a difference once you are on DMZ and Open NAT what others are doing, but it is a good idea to get everyone you are playing with online on an Open NAT.

Anyone tried all these options and still can’t get this NP-31928-3 error message to disappear? Leave a note in the comment and we’ll post more information and solutions as they become available.

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