PlayStation Error CE-40302-6 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

CE-40302-6 means your PlayStation could not sign in to PlayStation Network (PSN). The connection to Sony's servers either failed or was refused. This can be caused by PSN being down for maintenance, a problem with your internet connection, or an issue with your PSN account. The fix is usually checking PSN status and resetting your network settings.

Affected Models

PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 Slim
PlayStation 4 Pro
PlayStation 5

Common Causes

PlayStation Network (PSN) is down for scheduled maintenance or experiencing an outage
Your home internet connection is not working or has insufficient bandwidth
The DNS settings on your PlayStation are slow or misconfigured
Your PSN account has been suspended or has a pending verification issue
A network firewall or router setting is blocking the PSN connection

How to Fix It

Check PSN server status at status.playstation.com. If PSN is down for maintenance or experiencing an outage, there is nothing to fix on your end — just wait for Sony to restore service.

PSN maintenance periods are announced in advance on the PlayStation website and Twitter/X account. Sign-in services are typically down 1–4 hours during planned maintenance.
Test your internet connection on the PlayStation. Go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. This shows whether your PlayStation can reach the internet and gives your connection speeds.

If the internet test fails, your home internet is the problem — not PSN. Restart your modem and router before testing again.
Try changing your DNS settings. Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Custom. When you reach DNS settings, enter 8.8.8.8 as the primary and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary DNS (Google's DNS servers).

Slow or unresponsive DNS servers from your ISP often cause PSN sign-in failures. Google's DNS servers are fast and reliable and frequently fix PSN connection issues.
Sign out of your PSN account on the PlayStation and sign back in. Go to Settings > Account Management > Sign Out. Then sign back in with your PlayStation Network email and password.

If you have forgotten your PSN password, go to account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com to reset it from a computer or phone.
If the above steps do not work, put the PlayStation into Safe Mode and rebuild the database. Turn off the console, then hold the power button until you hear two beeps (approximately 7 seconds). Connect a controller via USB and select Rebuild Database.

Rebuilding the database reorganizes the console's internal data. It does not delete your games or saves. The process takes 10–60 minutes depending on how much data is on the drive.

When to Call a Professional

CE-40302-6 is almost always user-fixable at no cost. No hardware repair is needed. If your PSN account has been suspended, contact PlayStation Support at playstation.com/support to resolve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CE-40302-6 a PlayStation hardware problem?

No — this is a network or account authentication issue, not a hardware problem. Your PlayStation console hardware is fine. The error only means the PSN sign-in process failed. No repair is needed.

Why does CE-40302-6 only happen on PlayStation and not on other devices?

PSN uses specific ports and protocols that your router may be handling differently than general web traffic. Other devices can browse the internet fine while PSN struggles. Changing DNS settings or enabling UPnP on your router often resolves this. Also check if your router has any port blocking — PSN requires TCP ports 80, 443, and 3478–3480.

How do I check if my PSN account is suspended?

Go to account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com on a computer or phone and try to sign in. If your account is suspended, you will see a message explaining the reason and the length of the suspension. For appeals or account issues, contact PlayStation Support directly at playstation.com/support.