Believe it or not, there are still great reasons to dust off your old PlayStation 3 game console and connect it online in 2023. Let me show you how it‘s done!
Why Bother Hooking Up a 15-Year-Old Console?
Launched in 2006, the PlayStation 3 seems ancient by today‘s standards. Modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 obviously blow it away. But the PS3 has a special place in gaming history and still maintains niche popularity among fans.
For starters, it‘s the only way you can play beloved PS3 exclusive games like the original Uncharted series or Metal Gear Solid 4. And while official support has ended, thanks to fan communities you can still access digital game purchases, streaming apps, and online multiplayer on this legendary hardware.
So plugging your PS3 into Wi-Fi lets you re-download your old game library, watch some Netflix, or hang with friends in online matches. Let‘s make it happen!
Overview of Getting PS3 Online
Here‘s a quick rundown of what connecting your PlayStation 3 to Wi-Fi in 2023 entails:
- Turn on PS3 console
- Navigate to Network Settings menu
- Select Easy Wi-Fi setup
- Choose Wireless connection
- Scan and pick Wi-Fi network
- Enter network password
- Confirm settings
- Test connection
I‘ll explain how to do each step below using easy-to-follow instructions. I‘ll also share wired connection advice, detail what actually still works online, and provide troubleshooting tips. So keep reading to get your aging yet awesome PS3 back online!
Step 1: Starting Up Your PS3
First things first, power up your PS3 console if it‘s not already on.
You can turn it on three ways:
- Click the power button on the front left
- Open the disc tray
- Or press the PlayStation button on a connected controller
Once running, you‘ll see the iconic wavy XMB (XrossMediaBar) main menu with horizontal app icons along the top. Your background image may differ from mine:
Okay, with your system started, it‘s time to configure networking…
Step 2: Access PlayStation Network Settings
From the main PS3 interface, use your controller to scroll all the way to the left, highlighting each icon as you go until you reach Settings (a small toolbox icon). Press X to open it.
In the vertical Settings menu, descend until Network Settings is selected, then push X again to open network management options.
Step 3: Starting Easy Wi-Fi Setup
The Network Settings screen presents two choices for getting connected – Easy and Custom.
Select Easy by pressing X on your controller for the smoothest path to Wi-Fi glory! The Easy option handles all the gritty networking details automatically.
The only downside is less flexibility tweaking things like DNS settings. But Easy gets Wi-Fi up fast, so it‘s perfect for our needs.
Now we clarify whether you want wired or wireless…
Step 4: Choosing a Wireless Connection
Since Wi-Fi is likely what you‘ll use to get your PS3 online, choose Wireless by pressing X on the next screen:
If you prefer, you CAN use wired Ethernet instead for faster speeds. But most go Wi-Fi, and I‘ll explain Ethernet more later.
Step 5: Scanning Available Wireless Networks
With Wireless selected, opt to Scan for local Wi-Fi networks. This searches the airwaves for any nearby signals.
Give it 10-15 seconds to finish the network scan before showing a list of discovered SSIDs.
Step 6: Selecting Your Wi-Fi Network
You‘ll now (hopefully) see your home or office wireless network among those found. Use the controller to pick yours, then press X.
Take note of the security protocol like WPA2 – you need to confirm that next.
Step 7: Verifying Security Selection
On the following screen, check that the correct network security type used by your Wi-Fi is chosen, like WPA2 PSK:
With the target network and security method confirmed, it‘s password time!
Step 8: Typing In Your Wireless Password
Carefully enter the Wi-Fi password using the PS3 controller to navigate the on-screen keyboard:
Triple check your typing! Incorrect passwords during this step trip up many.
Step 9: Reviewing Your Network Settings
Assuming the password entry succeeded, you should now see the success screen with an overview of your network settings:
Give the summary a quick review to ensure proper wireless setup, then choose OK.
Almost there…
Step 10: Connectivity Testing
The last step is verifying an active, working internet connection by choosing Test Connection:
Results from checking PlayStation Network connectivity, internet signal strength and more will display on-screen. Hopefully all checks pass!
Wired Network Connections
While Wi-Fi is simple for getting online fast, for the best performance with your PS3, wired Ethernet is the way to go.
By directly connecting your PS3 to your router or switch with an Ethernet cable, you benefit from vastly faster throughput. We‘re talking 200+ Mbps wired vs. less than 50 Mbps typical on the PS3‘s ancient Wi-Fi radio.
Wired connectivity also reduces latency issues with action-oriented online games by lowering ping times into the single milliseconds. This delivers highly responsive competitive multiplayer sessions.
To leverage these advantages, plug an Ethernet cable into your PS3, enter Network Settings, and select Wired Connection instead of Wireless when prompted. Everything else works the same.
What Still Works Online in 2023
So now with your PS3 connected over Wi-Fi or wired access, what online features can you actually use in 2023?
Unfortunately Sony shut down the vast majority of online services like multiplayer gaming and social apps. But some functionality persists thanks to die-hard fans:
- Limited PlayStation Store Access – You can still browse and download hundreds of classic PS3 game titles digitally. Payment options are restricted though.
- Select Streaming Apps – A handful apps like Netflix continue enabling video entertainment on your PS3. Quality varies.
- Fan-Run Online Multiplayer – Passionate multiplayer communities have reverse-engineered servers for some games, keeping online play alive. Genres with active self-hosted servers include first-person shooters like Call of Duty, racing games like Gran Turismo 5, and RPGs like Demon‘s Souls.
So while PS3‘s networked capabilities are now extremely narrow compared to modern consoles, getting it on Wi-Fi opens some cool options.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
In case you struggle getting your PS3 connected properly, here are some handy troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your router and PS3 console – This simple reboot fixes surprising issues.
- Check Wi-Fi passwords typos – Meticulously verify password entry for mistakes.
- Try a wired connection instead – Rule out Wi-Fi faults by testing Ethernet.
- Manually enter hidden SSIDs – Make sure your target network broadcasts its name.
- Adjust router settings – Tweaking things like wireless signal strength, channel selection and compatibility modes can help.
- Reposition devices – Improve flaky Wi-Fi by moving router or PS3 to reduce obstacles.
- Research error codes – Specific offline errors often have documented fixes. Google them!
Hopefully this advice gets you running smoothly. But don‘t hesitate to contact me if any problems persist!
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to get your classic PlayStation 3 game console connected online! I hope this guide made the process easy.
Sure the PS3 dates way back. But now you can revisit cherished games, download long-lost purchases from your library, stream video, or even play online by leveraging fan servers. Not bad for a piece of history!
Did this guide help you regain online access on your PS3? What classic games are you looking forward to replaying? Let me know if you have any other questions – enjoy!
