- Connecting a PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi can be tricky because hotels use a "captive portal" that requires a web browser login, which the PS5 lacks. This is why the console may appear stuck even after selecting the hotel's Wi-Fi network.
- One easy solution is to use your phone to help the PS5 connect. First, log into the hotel Wi-Fi on your phone, then create a mobile hotspot with matching network details. This makes the PS5 think it's connecting to the hotel network through your phone.
Stuck in a hotel room with your shiny PS5 and can’t get it online? You’re not alone. Figuring out how to connect PS5 to hotel WiFi can be frustrating especially when the hotel Wi-Fi login page doesn’t even show up. But don’t worry, this guide will walk you through everything in plain, human language. No tech jargon. Just real solutions.
Whether you’re trying to unwind with some Call of Duty, watch Netflix, or simply download your saved data from the cloud this blog will show you exactly how to connect to hotel Wi-Fi on PS5, step by step. We’ll also cover tricky things like how to authenticate PS5 Wi-Fi with your phone, and what to do when your PS5 just won’t cooperate.
Why PS5 Struggles with Hotel WiFi?
Before we jump into the fix, here’s the thing: hotel Wi-Fi is built differently. Unlike home Wi-Fi that connects devices directly, hotel networks often use a “captive portal” a login screen you usually access through a browser.
Now, guess what? Your PS5 doesn’t have a full web browser like your laptop or phone. So when it tries to connect, it gets stuck. This is where people start Googling how to connect PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi or how to authenticate PS5 and end up hitting walls.
How to Connect PS5 to Hotel Wi-Fi: Step-by-Step Fix That Works in 2025
Connect PS5 to Hotel Wi-Fi Using Built-in Network Settings
This is the most straightforward method and works in many cases.
- Go to Settings on your PS5.
- Select Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection.
- Choose Use Wi-Fi > Easy.
- Select the hotel Wi-Fi name (SSID) from the list.
- If you get a message like “Cannot connect,” it means the network needs a browser login (captive portal).
If you’re lucky, the PS5 may prompt a limited browser to appear. If not, jump to Method 2 below, where we show how to authenticate PS5 Wi-Fi with phone.
Make sure your Wi-Fi signal is strong too. Hotel rooms sometimes have dead zones. Try getting closer to the router if you can.
Authenticate PS5 Wi-Fi With Your Phone (The Hotspot Trick)
This one’s the winner for most people. If your PS5 refuses to pull up the hotel login screen, here’s how to authenticate PS5 Wi-Fi with phone using a simple trick.
- Your phone (iPhone or Android)
- A stable connection to hotel Wi-Fi
- The PS5 ready to connect
Steps:
- First, connect your phone to the hotel Wi-Fi and log in through the captive portal (enter room number, password, etc.).
- Once connected, turn on your phone’s mobile hotspot, but rename the hotspot SSID and password to match exactly the hotel Wi-Fi credentials (case-sensitive).
- On your PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
- Choose the newly created “hotel Wi-Fi” (actually your phone’s hotspot) and connect.
Why does this work? Your PS5 thinks it’s connecting to the hotel Wi-Fi, but it’s actually going through your phone, which already authenticated. Neat, right?
This trick has helped thousands of gamers connect PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi without dealing with annoying browser issues.
Use a Laptop to Bridge the Connection (Advanced but Effective)
This is for folks who have a laptop handy and don’t mind a bit of tinkering. It’s more technical, but still doable.
Steps for Windows:
- Connect your laptop to the hotel Wi-Fi and complete the login.
- Connect your PS5 to your laptop using an Ethernet cable.
- Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
- Right-click your Wi-Fi connection > Properties > Sharing tab.
- Check “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
- Choose Ethernet or Local Area Network (your PS5 connection).
Now your laptop is acting like a middleman, letting your PS5 piggyback on its already-authenticated hotel connection.
Many travelers use this trick when asking how to connect to hotel Wi-Fi on PS5 and don’t want to deal with Wi-Fi authentication on the console.
Ask the Front Desk for Help (Don’t Be Shy)
If nothing’s working, it’s okay to reach out for help. Go to the front desk or call the tech support number usually given with the room key packet.
- Your device is a gaming console (PlayStation 5).
- You need to whitelist the MAC address.
- To find your PS5 MAC address:
- Go to Settings > System > System Software > Console Information.
- Look for “MAC Address (Wi-Fi)” — write it down.
Give this to the hotel tech staff, and they may manually approve your device. This is one of the least-talked about ways but it often works when you’re stuck figuring out how to authenticate PS5 or connect PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi the old-school way.
Troubleshooting: When Nothing Works
Let’s cover a few common errors and how to fix them.
Problem 1: Hotel Wi-Fi shows as “Connected” but internet doesn’t work
- Try restarting both your PS5 and router (if accessible).
- Forget the network and re-enter the password.
- Use the authenticate via phone method above.
Problem 2: PS5 keeps timing out
- Try a wired Ethernet connection if the room has a port.
- Use your laptop as a bridge (Method 3).
- Disable any DNS settings that may have been custom set.
Problem 3: Captive portal never shows up
- Restart the PS5.
- Connect your phone, complete login, and share the hotspot.
These issues are why how to connect PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi is one of the most searched PS5 topics every year.
Pro Tips for Hotel Gamers
- Use a travel router: Set it up once and connect your devices more easily in every hotel.
- Use VPN: If you’re worried about privacy or slow speeds, a VPN on your laptop bridge setup might help.
- Download games in advance: Hotel Wi-Fi is usually slow. Don’t count on it for 50GB downloads.
FAQs
1. Why won’t my PS5 connect to hotel Wi-Fi even though I selected the network?
Because hotel Wi-Fi usually needs you to log in through a browser — and your PS5 doesn’t have a proper one. That login page (aka “captive portal”) often doesn’t load on the console, which blocks the connection.
2. What’s the easiest way to connect my PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi?
If the login screen won’t show, the best workaround is to authenticate using your phone. Connect your phone to hotel Wi-Fi, log in, then create a mobile hotspot with the same name and password. Your PS5 will think it’s the same network and connect through the phone.
3. Can I use a laptop to help connect my PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi?
Yes, definitely. You can connect your laptop to hotel Wi-Fi, log in, and then share that connection to your PS5 via Ethernet. It’s a bit technical but works well if you have a cable handy.
4. What is MAC address authentication and how does it help?
Some hotels let you give them your PS5’s MAC address so they can manually approve your console to connect — bypassing the login screen. You can find your MAC address in PS5 Settings > System > Console Info.
5. Will using my phone’s hotspot use my mobile data?
Yes, if you’re using regular hotspot. But if you’re doing the authentication trick (where the phone connects to hotel Wi-Fi and rebroadcasts it), then no — it doesn’t use mobile data. You’re just bridging hotel Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
Connecting your PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s totally doable once you know the tricks. Whether you use your phone to authenticate, set up a laptop bridge, or call the front desk for help there’s always a way to get online. Now you’re ready to game on the go without the Wi-Fi headache.
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