The PlayStation 4 console is generally a reliable device that allows you to enjoy smooth gaming experiences.
However, from time to time, even the PS4 is affected by various issues and errors.
In today’s post, we’re going to focus on the error message ‘Unable to connect to host‘. This issue affects many games, including Call of Duty: World War 2, Evil Within 2, Fortnite, and more.
What triggers Unable to Connect to Host errors on PS4?
There are three main factors that could cause this error:
- Connectivity problems: An unstable network or strict firewall settings might limit or block your connection.
- Cache: If your cache got corrupted or it’s clogging up the console, you may experience connectivity issues, game lag, crashes, and so on.
- The good news is that you can quickly solve this problem by clearing your cache (the temporary files stored on your console).
- Port settings: If the Ports have not been forwarded or are closed, your PS4 won’t be able to communicate to the servers and send data back and forth.
Fix PS4 Failed to Connect to Host
Fix 1 – Hard reset your console and router
Yes, this simple and rudimentary workaround could help you fix host connection issues on your PS4.
All you need to do is turn off your console and completely unplug it. Then do the same with your modem/router.
Take a walk, wait for about five or ten minutes and then turn your devices back on. Check if the host connection error message appears again on the screen.
Fix 2 – Set your NAT to open
Strict NAT settings may cause host connection issues.
- Go to Settings >Network > View Connect Status and write down your console’s IP address.
- Now, open File Explorer > navigate to Network >select your router.
- Go to Settings > enter your PS4’s IP address
- Navigate to External Port and Internal Port and enter each TCP number of your console twice.
- Now, go to UDP settings and enter each number twice.
- Here are the TCP and UDP numbers to use:
- TCP: 80, 443, 3074, 3478-3480
- UDP: 3074, 3478-3479
Fix 3 – Change Party Privacy to open
- Navigate to Social and you’ll find three options above your list of friends: Friends > Recent >Party.
- Select the Party option and open it
- Go to Party Privacy and set it to open.
Fix 4 – Clear the cache
By clearing the cache, you delete the temporary files and data ]stored on your PS4 console.
This allows you to fix data corruption issues which could prevent the PS4 from connecting to the host.
Steps to clear your cache on the PS4:
- Hold the PlayStation button on your controller
- Select Turn off PS4 and wait for three minutes
- Reboot the console
- Hold the L1+R1 buttons before booting up the problematic game
- Keep in mind this will reset your brightness and language settings. Rest assured, the saved games won’t get deleted.
Fix 5 – Enable DMZ
If this error message is triggered by connectivity issues, you can place your PS4 into the DMZ.
To do this, turn Port Forwarding off and simply assign your PS4’s IP address to your router’s DMZ.
Launch the problematic game again and check if the issue persists. Hopefully, this won’t be the case.
We hope something helped.