How to Fix PlayStation 4 Error Code (WS-37398-0)

The error WS-37398-0 occurs on Playstation 4 consoles when players attempt to connect to the Playstation Network, when accessing the store or when launching the game with a multiplayer component. 

Below you’ll find a series of confirmed methods that other affected users have used to troubleshoot and fix the WS-37398-0 issue on their PlayStation 4 console. 

1. Check the current status of Playstation Network Servers

The PlayStation servers could be experiencing issues at this time and cause the WS-37398-0 when users are connecting to the PlayStation Network. This issue is confirmed to occur when the servers are unavailable or undergoing maintenance.

Note: Keep in mind that this issue does not need to be happening globally. Depending on the area where you connect from, Sony will use a different data center depending on your physical location.

To check if the WS-37398-0 might be occurring due to a server issue,  your first stop should be on the official PlayStation website in order to check the server network.

The servers are in good functioning order if the status is green.

Update: Sony will stop asking you for your current location before the website can provide the status of your service at that time. This information will be fetched directly from your browser, so make sure you’re not using any proxy server or VPN solution that might broadcast a different location than your actual one. 

If the investigation above has released a potential server problem, take the time to visit 3rd party status websites like DownDetector or Is It Down Right Now to investigate further. Here, you may check to see whether other people are currently experiencing the same problem.

You’ll find the most recent 24 hours’ worth of reports. If you wish to, you may report as well.

Note: You may also check to see if the creators have made any posts regarding the problem on the official PlayStation Twitter account. Take a look at what people are saying about it.

If you’ve verified that the servers are operational everywhere you looked, the PlayStation error WS-37398-0 might have an alternative explanation.

2. Test the connection & Switch over to a wired connection (if applicable)

When playing games on your Playstation 4 console via a Wi-Fi connection, you must ensure that you have enough available bandwidth to meet the minimum bandwidth requirement.

If Wi-Fi is your only option, ensure sure it is a reliable network that goes above and beyond Sony’s basic recommendations.

Note: Sony advises a minimum 2 Mbps Internet connection. This is the absolute minimum, however, you’ll need at least 5 MB for both Upload and Download in order to play without worrying about PSN errors. And even more important than the maximum speed is if the connection is stable or not. 

To make sure you reach this minimal requirement, follow the steps below to test your connection and make the necessary adjustments:

Note: You can also perform this test from the Ps4 Console by going to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. But from our tests, the results are not accurate at all. 

1. Start by turning off all nonessential software and services that could consume all of your network bandwidth.
2. Visit the SpeedTest homepage from a device connected to the same network and wait for the speed test script to load.
3. Click Go when you’re ready to test your network, then wait for the test to be finished.

   

4. Examine the test results when it has been completed to determine if the Upload and Download speeds are more than 5 Mbps.

   

   Note: To determine whether the Upload and Download figures are stable, you might need to run the test several times.

You should switch to a LAN connection (if that’s possible) if the test you just performed revealed that you fulfill the minimal network requirements but the issue still occurs.

If you have a wired connection available, you should absolutely use it to connect your console to the internet. It will undoubtedly enhance your PlayStation 4 online gaming experience (especially when playing multiplayer games).

If you’re already utilizing a LAN cable or have a strong enough Internet connection to support a connection but are still getting the same issue, scroll down to the next possible solution below.

3. Power Cycle your PlayStation

The problem could likely be caused by conflicting cache data if you’re having problems connecting to the PSN Network, regardless of if you’re using a WI-Fi or ethernet connection. This culprit is even more apparent if you even attempted connecting to a hotspot and received the same WS-37398-0 error.

Power cycling your console will fix the problem by erasing any cached information that may have built up.

By doing this operation, you will basically restart your console and make sure that any temporary data from earlier sessions are deleted.

Here’s how to carry on this operation:

1. Verify that your console is on and not in use (not in hibernation mode).
2. Next, hold down the power button (on your console) for a few seconds until the console shuts off entirely.

   

3. After the console shows no signs of life and the fans stop sounding, release the power button.
4. Then, to make sure the power in the capacitors has been used up, unplug the power line from the outlet and wait a minute.
5. After the allotted time has passed, restart your console normally by turning it back on.
6. To see if the WS-37398-0 error code has been fixed once the device has restarted, try connecting to the PSN network once again. 

4. Set a custom DNS Range

An inconsistent DNS range may also trigger this problem if your ISP is indirectly blocking your console from the PSN network and making it more challenging than necessary to connect to the server. ISPs that employ level 3 nodes and prevent automated port forwarding are known to cause this issue for their clients. 

The problem can be resolved and your console should be able to communicate with the PSN network after switching from your default DNS (Domain Name Address) range that’s probably limited to a Google or Cloudflare-supplied range.

Here’s how to do this:

1. From the home screen, access Settings by navigating to the vertical menu at the top of the PlayStation 4 system and cycling through the options.

   

2. Select the Network menu from the available choices.
3. The next step is to select Set Up Internet Connection.

   

4. To avoid getting a default DNS, choose Wi-Fi or LAN (depending on the sort of connection you’re using) and then Custom.
5. Choose Automatic when asked for the chosen address.
6. Select the DHCP Host Name to continue and make sure you choose Do not Specify from the next prompt. 

   

7. On the DNS Settings page, select Manual. Next, set the Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8 and the Secondary DNS to 8.8.4.4.
   Note: Use the following settings if you want to configure the DNS for IPV6:

   Set 208.67.220.220 as Secondary DNS
   Set 208.67.222.222 as Primary DNS

8. To see if the PlayStation issue CE-33743-0 has been fixed, save the changes, then restart your console and router.

   Update: If you want to use Cloudflare’s DNS range instead of Google’s, use these values instead:IPV4
   

   Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
   Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1

   IPV6

   Primary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1111
   Secondary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1001