Is the PS Remote Play stuck on “Connecting” on your PC or it opens fine but you can’t move past DualSense, or it won’t launch, connect or the controller won’t respond. Whatever the case these issues ruin the evening, and you cannot play until fixed. This can be caused due to network issues, driver problems and other reasons like your PS5 or PS4 doesn’t agree to stream from your network or your Windows PC does not have the right components installed to decode the video and read the controller. This troubleshooting post explains how these issues can be fixed and you get your PlayStation Remote play connection back.
Note : If you are using Sony app (v9.0.0.2120) and facing remote disconnection issues exactly after 30 seconds into every session, it is because of Sony. Gamers on reddit have been discussing the issue but no fix is released. A forced app update released in late March 2026 is causing this issue. You can fix it by running the new app shell on older binaries that we will explain in this post.
Fixing the March Crash Bug: App Disconnects / Crashes After 30 Seconds
Note : This is a workaround suggested on different gaming communities. Sony has not approved of it, so we suggest you use it with caution. Download the older build from the genuine / official site only. Also, the bug does not affect the console to console Remote Play or the dedicated PS Portal. It is only related to the Windows app.
- Wait for the Remote Play app to update to version 9.x.
- Sign in to register the app as updated.
- Uninstall it via Add/Remove Programs on Windows. While doing so do not make any changes to Sony account or console settings.
- Download and install the older 8.x build of Remote Play.
- Run remoteplay-version-patcher. This will let the new app registration work against the older binaries.
This is a temporary fix till the time Sony releases the bug fix.
| Editor’s Note If the Remote Play version is not properly uninstalled the leftover files will interfere with fresh install. To avoid this from happening you can run Advanced System Optimizer’s uninstaller and registry cleaner module. Regular Maintenance > Uninstall Manager.
This will help uninstall the app without leaving leftovers and will also clean invalid or orphaned registry entries that might cause an issue. |
General Troubleshooting
If your problem is not caused by the app update then it must be because of an outdated driver, network issue, misconfigured settings, console linking issues and others. Whatever it may be we have covered the fixes caused by most common reasons interfering with Remote Play working on Windows.
Before you get any further it is best you check Sony’s servers. If PSN is down updating drivers, changing settings will not help. To check for servers visit – https://status.playstation.com/en-US/
Once you know the server is up and running move the fixes below:
Steps to Fix PS Remote Play Not Working on Windows
| Issue | Reason | Fix |
| The app won’t launch and neither does any window opens | Missing Visual C++ Redistributables | Go to Microsoft’s official download page and install both x86 and x64 packages. |
| You can open the app but then it displays black screen, or immediately crashes | Happens when the install is corrupt, or Windows Media Feature Pack is missing | Completely uninstall and reinstall app, and enable Windows Media Player Legacy and Media Features under Optional Features |
| You cannot access the console | When the router blocks mDNS, you are on a guest network, or VLAN | Instead of linking automatically, do it manually using the 8-digit code. |
| You can connect the remote but soon after you are welcomed with a black screen or the app freezes | Outdated/corrupted GPU driver is causing it | Update the driver directly from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel, or can use a driver-scanning tool like Advanced Driver Updater. |
| Handshake fails or times out | NAT Type 3 (strict) on the console | Forward TCP 80/443/3478-3480 and UDP 3478/3479 to the console’s IP in your router settings |
| Connects but its unstable as connection often drops | VPN or proxy is interfering with peer-to-peer UDP | Disable both VPN, proxy and system-level proxy settings if enabled |
| Disconnects every 30-90 seconds at a consistent interval | IPv6 can cause it | Disable IPv6 |
Fixing “Remote Play Won’t Connect or Launch”
Fix 1. Restart Both Devices
The most obvious fix to troubleshoot most of the issues is to restart the device. In this case to refresh authentication tokens and background network sessions that might be stuck and causing the issue to restart both the console and the PC.
Fix 2. Enable Confirm Remote Play
Sometimes a system software update can reset permissions. Therefore, before moving to more technical fixes always ensure that Remote Play is enabled.
PS5 users need to go Settings > System > Remote Play > toggle Enable Remote Play on.
PS4 users go to Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > check Enable Remote Play.
While making the changes on your PS5 enable both Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning On PS5 from Network from Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
Fix 3. Reinstall Remote Play
If the app crashes before the connection, probably it is not properly installed. To fix it, reinstall the Remote Play app. I
1. Press Windows key + I click Apps. Under the installed apps look for PlayStation and uninstall it.
2. Then go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\PS Remote Play and manually remove all the files.
3. Press Windows key + R. Copy and paste %localappdata%\Sony Corporation, and delete the PS Remote Play folder inside it.
4. Reinstall from Sony’s official download page.
Fix 4. Manually Link the Console
To find the console on the local network Remote Play uses mDNS. However, if it is blocked by the router then you are switched to the guest network. In some cases if you use VLANs set, auto-detect cannot detect the console. To fix it follow these steps:
PS5
1. Go to Settings > System > Remote Play > Link Device.
2. Use the 8-digit code to connect.
PS4
1. Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > Add Device.
2. Type that code into the Windows app to manually link.
Fix 5. Install Visual C++ Redistributables
If the app doesn’t open at all it seems Visual C++ runtime files are missing.
1. Visit Microsoft’s official Visual C++ Redistributable page
2. Download and install both x86 and x64 packages.
3. Now try running Remote Play.
Fix 6. Install the Windows Media Feature Pack
Video Steam on Remote Play is decoded via Windows Media Foundation. Hence, when it is missing you get a black screen or a launch fails. Install it using following steps:
Method 1: Optional Features
1. Press Windows I to go to Windows Settings.
2. Click System > Optional Features
3. Click “View Features” (next to “Add an optional feature”)
4 .Look for “media”
5. Click Windows Media Player Legacy (App) and click Install
Method 2: Turn Windows Features On or Off
1. Press Windows key and in the search bar type “turn windows features”
2. Select the best result and open Turn Windows Features On or Off.
3. Scroll and look for Media Features. Check both Media Features and Windows Media Player box and click Ok
4. Wait for the changes to be applied.
Perform both the steps and restart the PC to apply changes. Now run Remote Play.
Note : If you are using Windows 11 N or KN editions (the EU/Korea variants) you will have to separately install the Media Feature Pack from Microsoft's official site as they are sold without media playback components.
Fix 7. Update Your Graphics Driver
When the graphics driver is outdated or missing you get a black screen or a stream freezes every few seconds.
Download and install the latest driver update from the official website of your GPU manufacturer
- NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/Download
- AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support
- Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support
In case you do not know how to do that or updating the driver manually is not what you want you can use Advanced Driver Updater to update your graphics driver.
Fix 8. Set NAT To Type 1 or 2
-
Check Current NAT Type
Go to PS5 Settings > Network > View Connection Status. Here you will see the type in use near the bottom.
If it’s Type 1 or 2, move to next fix. If not try UPnP First
1. Go to your router’s admin page. It is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.You can find it printed on a label at the back of your router.
2. Log in.
3. Find UPnP. It can be under Advanced, NAT, or Forwarding settings and enable it.
4. Restart the router, and recheck NAT type.
If it is changed try running Remote Play. If not you will have to set Port Forwarding manually
- Setting Ports Forwarding Manually
1. Go to the router admin page.
2. Look for Port Forwarding (it can be by the name Virtual Server or NAT Forwarding).
3. Find your console’s local IP address. Go to PS5 Settings > Network > View Connection Status shows it.
4. Go to DHCP settings and Set a static/reserved IP for the console
5. Add forwarding rules:
- TCP: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480
- UDP: 3478, 3479
6. Save, restart the router, recheck NAT type.
Fix 9. Turn Off VPN and Proxy Software
If you are using a VPN or Proxy, disable both and any system-level proxy setting too.
1. Close the VPN app from the system tray and disconnect it.
2. Check for a system-level VPN connection. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, and disconnect if anything is listed.
3. Check for a proxy, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, and turn off “Use a proxy server” if it’s enabled.
4. Restart Remote Play and test.
If this doesn’t work and you are using an antivirus software check its settings for a network protection or VPN feature. If any is enabled, disable that too.
Fix 10. Disable IPv6
1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and click OK.
2. Right-click the network adapter > select Properties.
3. Click Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and uncheck the box next to it.
4. Click OK, then restart your PC.
5. Run Remote Play.
Fixing “Remote Play Connects But My Controller Won’t Work”
To fix this follow the steps below:
Fix 1: Check The Device Controller Is Paired To
If you use the DualSense or DualShock with any other device like your PS5, your PC, or a friend’s console before switching to PC, probably it is trying to reconnect to the last connected device. So unpair it from the device it was last connected with and reconnect it fresh to your PC.
Fix 2: Use a Data Cable
Ensure you are using a data cable not just a charging cable. Try a different cable, the one that you got with the console.
If the above fixes do not help you need to understand that if the game specifically needs a touchpad, Remote Play will not work with your controller.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not assume that the issue is caused by a driver or router settings. First always ensure that Remote Play is enabled on the console.
- Never assume that a controller if lit up or charging is functioning correctly. Always check the pairing with the PC.
- Avoid reinstalling Remote Play without clearing the AppData cache.
- Check if Remote Play supports the features or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Play Station Remote Working
Remote Play problems are usually caused due to setting mismatch, how the controller is paired and the cable used. To fix it you should know the exact issue only then you can apply the right fix. Use the step by step instructions provided above to get the Remote Play working and remember Sony is yet to release the