Solving PS4 Error NP-31950-8 – Multiple Solutions

Written by Oliver in PlayStation Error Codes

The PS4 error code NP-31950-8 often comes up for PS4 users when they keep getting kicked from party chats. The error message “There was a problem connecting to the PlayStation Network. The network connection has timed out during the PSN sign-in process” may also appear.

The very first thing to do when you get this error is to check the current status of the PlayStation Network here. If it’s down, there usually isn’t much you can do but wait until the errors are fixed at Sony’s end. See our article on what to do when PSN is down.

If quick resetting, power cycling and updating your router and PS4 don’t resolve this issue, then the next best option is to change your DNS servers to Google DNS (8.8.8.8; 8.8.4.4) or another provider. Failing that, setting a Static IP on your PS4, and using DMZ an QoS settings to get the best possible connection to other gamers may also resolve this error code.

When this error code seems to be accompanying party errors, such as PS4 users not being able to join parties, getting kicked from parties or not being able to hear certain players in parties, it most often relates to NAT Type issues – a certain connection setting that can sometimes stop PS4 users easily and smoothly connecting with each other.

There is a way to try and fix this – we will cover this in detail in our DMZ solution section further below. Lets first run through some more quickfire and general solutions – many users (but not all) find the DNS solution works quite well in fixing this error.

Quick Solutions For PS4 Error NP-31950-8

Here are some quick things to try right off the bat to try and get rid of this error code:

  • Quick reset your router and PS4.
  • Power cycle your router and PS4, fully unplugging them for 5-10 minutes before restarting them, router first, then the PS4 once the router is fully online.
  • Switch from Wi-Fi to LAN cable or vice versa.
  • Preferably, move onto wired connections longer term though, since they are more stable and consistent than Wi-Fi. Use a powerline adapter if you are too far from the router to run a cable directly.
  • If using a cable, try unplugging it then plugging it back in.
  • Check your PS4 system is fully up to date by going to Settings….System Software Update. See the first solution of this article for a guide on updating the PS4 the more correct way in Safe Mode.
  • If you have a newer PS4 that is connecting on 5Ghz Wi-Fi, try switching it to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi as per this article. Can sometimes resolve party kicking errors.

Changing the DNS Servers on Your PS4

One major solution to this NP-31950-8 error code is to manually change the DNS servers on your PS4 to Google DNS or another free provider. Normally, your PS4 will automatically use the DNS servers from your ISP, but if these aren’t working or are clashing with PSN then manually entering your own servers can sometimes get you back online.

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

 

If one pair of DNS servers don’t work, be sure to try out another pair, since different DNS servers will work for different PS4 users depending on where you are in the world. Some people have had success using Google DNS; others have had to switch to Open DNS or Cloudflare servers to get rid of this error.

Setting a Static IP on Your PS4

Another method which can sometimes fix server and party connection issues is to set a Static IP address for your PS4. Sometimes there may be an addressing conflict on your home network which is stopping you from properly connecting to servers or parties.

Your PS4 and another device on the home network may be trying to use the same IP address, and causing connection issues. Manually configuring your PS4 with it’s own IP can resolve this, as well as sometimes deliver a more solid and stable connection.

Here are the quick steps to do this:

  • Go to Settings…Network….Set Up Internet Connection
  • Select Wi-Fi or LAN depending on your connection
  • Select Custom setup for LAN
  • For IP Address, switch to Manual and input the following values:
      • IP Address – 192.168.0.x, where x is any number between 100 and 254 (you choose)
      • Subnet Mask – 255.255.255.0
      • Default Gateway – 192.168.0.1
      • Primary DNS – 8.8.8.8
      • Secondary DNS – 8.8.4.4
  • Run through the rest of the settings as they are, without changing them.
  • Save and test your internet connection to see if you can get back online.
  • See our full article on setting a static IP address for a more in depth look at doing this the more correct but long winded way.

Remove Congestion On Your Home Network

It appears that this NP-31950-8 error code is also sometimes simply caused by network collisions, in other words, an overly congested network with too many devices trying to connect on Wi-Fi. This is unfortunately largely built into the way Wi-Fi operates, but here are some quick steps you can try to fix this:

  • Move your PS4 and router closer together.
  • Try removing any large obstructions sat between your router and PS4
  • Try disabling some devices on the home network.
  • Move from Wi-Fi to wired if possible. Wired connections don’t suffer from the same congestion issues as Wi-Fi. Use a powerline adapter if you are a long way from the router.

However, a long term solution to network congestion to explore is using Quality of Service settings to manage congestion on your home network and prioritize your PS4 above other devices.

Configuring QoS tells your router to process traffic demands in a certain order, hopefully reducing the effect of congestion on your PS4’s connection. Here are the steps to do this:

  • Make a note of the IP and MAC address of your device. For the PS4 these are located in the “View Connection Status” page of the Internet Connection settings section of the Network settings.
  • Log in to your router using the 192.168.x.x format in your address bar. 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 are most common, you will find the exact IP to use on the back of your router.
  • Enter the username and password of the router; again they will be on the back of the router somewhere.
  • Find Quality of Service settings within the router, usually under “Advanced Settings” or similar.
  • You should see a list of devices on the home network. You should be able to identify yours by the MAC and IP address you noted down earlier. Your device might need to be on for the router to recognise it.
  • Set your PS4 or other device to “Highest” or “Maximum” priority and make sure any non latency essential devices are set to lower priority.
  • Apply or save settings and exit the router. You should now have Quality of Service enabled for your PS4 or other device!
  • See our full article on QoS for more on this.
  • Unfortunately, QoS is not available on all routers.

Using DMZ Settings to Resolve NAT Type Issues & Party Errors

If you seem to be getting this error message when connecting to online chat parties – either you can’t get into parties or you keep getting kicked from them – then one option is to use some kind of port forwarding to fully open your console up to the internet and get on Open NAT Type.

So many PS4 party errors and connection issues boil down to players being on conflicting or restrictive NAT Types (NAT Type 3 is especially bad), which stop players connecting to each other. See our article on NAT Types for more explanation of why this is the case.

Check out your current NAT Type by going to Settings…Network….Test Internet Connection. If your NAT type is 2 or 3, it isn’t fully open and this could be causing party connection issues.

To resolve this, there are several different ways of implementing port forwarding to get a better connection to other gamers, but the easiest way is probably using DMZ settings. Placing your console in the DMZ part of your router automatically opens all ports and also gets you on Open NAT for the best connection.

Here are the steps to do this:

  •  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. 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.
  • See our full article on DMZ settings for more on this.
  • DMZ is safe to use for games consoles like the PS4.
  • For a more precise but longer winded way of port forwarding for the PS4, see this article we posted a while ago.

This is quite a complex error code that can actually come from a number of different sources. If anyone has thoroughly tried literally all these solutions and still can’t get online, then drop a comment below. See also the link below to a closely related error code for more ideas.

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