PlayStation Error Code CE-40890-9 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

CE-40890-9 means your PS5 failed to sign in to PlayStation Network. Your internet connection may be working but PSN cannot be reached. This is usually a temporary server issue or a local network configuration problem.

Affected Models

PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

Common Causes

PlayStation Network servers are experiencing an outage or scheduled maintenance
Your PS5's network settings have incorrect DNS or IP configuration
Your router's firewall is blocking the ports PSN needs to operate
Your internet connection is too slow or unstable at the moment
The PSN sign-in token stored on your PS5 has expired and needs to be refreshed

How to Fix It

Check PSN status at status.playstation.com. Open it on your phone or computer. If any services show as degraded, Sony is working on it — wait and try again later.

PSN outages are common during peak gaming hours and after major title releases.
Sign out and sign back in. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Sign Out. Then sign back in with your PlayStation Network email and password.

This refreshes the authentication token stored on your PS5.
Test your internet connection. Go to Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. Note which steps pass and which fail.

If the test fails at 'PlayStation Network', the issue is between your router and PSN.
Change your PS5's DNS to Google DNS. Go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection. Select your connection, choose Advanced Settings, and set DNS to Manual. Primary: 8.8.8.8, Secondary: 8.8.4.4.

Google's DNS servers often resolve PSN addresses faster and more reliably than your ISP's default DNS.
Restart your router. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully reconnect before testing PSN again.

Routers can develop stale connection tables over time that block certain services.

When to Call a Professional

This is a network or server error — no technician is needed. If every other network fix fails, contact your internet provider. They can check if PSN traffic is being blocked or throttled on your connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CE-40890-9 a PS5-only error?

Yes, CE-40890-9 appears specifically on the PS5 console. PS4 has different error codes for similar PSN connection issues. The fix steps are similar though — most PSN connection problems are resolved the same way.

Can I play offline if CE-40890-9 won't go away?

Yes. Most single-player games will work fine without a PSN connection. Games that require online play or an active internet connection will not work. Digital games require PSN sign-in unless your PS5 is set as your primary console.

Why does this happen more at night or on weekends?

PSN handles millions of connections simultaneously. During peak hours — evenings and weekends — the servers get very busy. This can cause slowdowns or brief outages that trigger connection errors like CE-40890-9.