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Sony PSP Connect to the Wifi Internet?

I've written about this before, about how to connect your Sony PSP to the Internet, but I think it's worth writing about again, detailing one of the most common questions people have with their Sony PSPs: how to connect them to the Internet.


Dave's Answer:

That's what this article is about. It will show you, step by step by step, exactly how I took a brand new Sony Playstation Portable (aka Sony PSP), selected my own local 802.11 wifi wireless network, entered the network password, saved it, and then used it to connect to the Internet and go to the Sony Web site.

It's pretty easy, but I will warn you in advance that there are a lot of steps involved and -- perhaps more importantly -- you will need to have access to a network that doesn't require a password, or the password to your network. If you don't have that, you will need to get it before you can succeed with this process. Here's one way to do that: how to find your wireless WEP password. Failing that, ask your Dad or Mom for help with this step.

Now, let's start the process. Sorry the screen shots aren't great, it's hard to take photos of the Sony PSP screen and have them look perfect. Ready?

Odds are pretty good that when you turn on your PSP, it immediately starts up the game you have inserted. Not good. What you want to do is click on the "home" button:

sony psp home button

In my experience, it can be a while before you realize that there are tiny little buttons along the bottom of the screen that actually do stuff. :-) Find the "home" button, push it, and the PSP will ask you if you really want to quit your game. Choose "yes" and proceed.

Now you're on the top navigational area: press the left arrow button repeatedly until you get as far to the left as possible, it's the "settings" area. Now move down by pushing the down arrow again and again until you get to the "Network Settings":

sony psp internet wifi 1

Choose it by pressing on the "X" button (on the right of the screen). Now you'll see:

sony psp internet wifi 2

As you can see, the Sony PSP wants to set up a PSP to PSP "ad hoc" network, but that's not what we want to do, we want to set up an actual Internet connection, so you'll need to push the down arrow once to select the oddly named "Infrastructure Mode":

sony psp internet wifi 3

Now click on the "X" button to proceed.

Since you probably have a brand new Sony Playstation Portable unit, like I do, you'll see an empty list of existing network connections and the option to set up a new one:

sony psp internet wifi 4

No surprise, choose "[New Connection]" and press "X" to set things up:

sony psp internet wifi 5

You can choose a bunch of options, but the easiest is to choose "Scan" and let the device do the heavy work! It takes just a few seconds to scan, and then you'll see a list of Wifi networks that are detected and within range:

sony psp internet wifi 6

My network is called "Aerie".

Important note: if your Sony PSP doesn't find any wireless networks you cannot connect to the Internet without going somewhere else. If you don't have a wifi network in your house, for example, you'll need to find somewhere (the library, a cafe) where there is one.

To select the "Aerie" network, I press the "X" button again. Now I see this:

sony psp internet wifi 7

Now we're in a different part of the Sony PSP interface, so to proceed, you'll need to be using the right arrow rather than the "X" button. Yeah, it's a bit confusing.

Press the right arrow to proceed:

sony psp internet wifi 8

You can see that the Sony PSP has successfully identified the encryption standard that's in use by my wireless network. You should find that your PSP does the same without any problem.

Once you agree that it does have the correct wifi network protocol (which is only relevant if you have a password set, by the way) press the right arrow again:

sony psp internet wifi 9

Now it's time to enter the password for your wireless 802.11 network:

sony psp internet wifi 10

It's a bit tedious, but you need to enter your password letter by letter, as I have done here (I masked most of my password in the screen image: you won't see the black bar on your PSP). When you're done, move up to the "Enter" button and press "X" to enter the password and proceed.

We're getting there. Over halfway done.

The next thing you'll see is:

sony psp internet wifi 11

Sure enough, it shows you that you have indeed entered a password. Press the right arrow to continue.

sony psp internet wifi 12

We're getting there. Choose "Easy" by simply pressing the right arrow again:

sony psp internet wifi 13

Sure enough, we'll call the network on the PSP the same as the network itself, so this is another point where you should just press the right arrow once again.

sony psp internet wifi 14

Looks good, let's keep that thumb in good shape: press the right arrow yet again. And...

sony psp internet wifi 15

As it suggests, press "X" to save the network settings you've made and, congratulations, you've set up your Sony PSP for Internet access.

Well, we're not quite done yet.

You've saved your settings, let's have a quick test. That's the next option it offers:

sony psp internet wifi 16

Do it by choosing, you guessed it, the "X" button.

Now it starts the test:

sony psp internet wifi 17

and....

sony psp internet wifi 18

and, finally...

sony psp internet wifi 19

When you've gotten here, you're done and you have an Internet connection configured, saved, and tested positively. Hurray!

I warned you it was quite a task.

I'll stop here and let you enjoy your new Internet connectivity with your Sony PSP, but check out my many other articles here on the site for lots of free PSP help too!



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Comments

ok i have this error Communication with the server failed. DNS error has occured. Error code : (80410410) plz tell how to fix, i want to go on the internet on my psp

Posted by: jake at January 13, 2009 5:21 PM

there is no access point detected;what should i do?

Posted by: Assio at January 17, 2009 10:41 AM

now that i have a wifi connection, i still cannot open the internet connection. as i scroll down the part where you can see the connection name, security, ip address, etc.,i can see at the bottom of the list that internet testing failed. what does it mean?

Posted by: lyn at January 21, 2009 10:59 PM

CAn you please help me in my psp . whenever i scan connection. there is always saying "An internal error has occured(80410A0B). Please can you help me in my problen in my sony psp..??

Posted by: Jorge at January 28, 2009 6:44 AM

when i test internet conection i get 80 or 75 % sometimes but i dont have a wifi. i just got broadband cable internet if i have strong singnal can i connect to internet with my psp?

Posted by: alex3 at February 28, 2009 7:01 PM

I did the process and when i test the connection it says that an error has occured. What now?

Posted by: dante at March 10, 2009 4:39 PM

Dave,
Could you please set up a blog- by itself... About how to find the PSP connection on a computer (toshiba, dell, max- basically any computer)- after you connect it.

I know, I know, you hook up the usb cord, turn on the connection, make sure the memory card is formatted. Alot of people have done this and then we look for the E, G, or another drive, or look in the computer folder.... and guess what, nothing is coming up....
-Tons of people are still having this problem...
I don't know if the computer has to be updated with new drivers...or what? but we all are lost at this point.
I have a toshiba laptop- xp, bought it in 2007. Loaded. I hook my PSP up, and my computer folder won't even open, it shows a little icon for a minute on the bottom right hand corner of my screen -that something is hooked up, but the computer folder will not open until i unhook the PSP from the computer?

Anyway, even if you can't help us at the moment, could you at least make a blog, or discussion area just for this problem....and after you get some PSP's in the mail and you work on them...if you find the answer, could you give us a update....please...

especially if you know anything about updated drivers on any computes...like i said, i have a toshiba laptop-bought in 2007- loaded with everything... and it won't work... do i need a new updated driver or soemthing?

Posted by: Peter Salmon at April 13, 2009 2:46 AM

ok ummm....dave i followed ur tutorial all the way, but when my psp gets ready to connect and it begins exchanging key information....it times out and quits....what should i do??

Posted by: carl williams at April 19, 2009 10:40 AM

I have the same question about my psp it says exchanging key information when trying to connect then times out what can i do to fix my wifi, which has the problem.

Posted by: zachary at April 24, 2009 6:56 PM

I have the same problem too, it times out exchanging key information any ideas please

Posted by: t jones at May 2, 2009 11:07 AM

my psp is the attempt to optain the ip address was timed out what shall i do in this case plz email me the answer

Posted by: mamoita at May 19, 2009 12:32 PM

my psp internet connection in my house used to be in the 90s but then i did not play it for 2 months and now the connection is in the 10s

Posted by: munib at May 22, 2009 6:06 PM

my psp screen is black when i turn it on, but it seems to work fine otherwise.(p.s i have tryed the contrast changer,but i had no luck.

Posted by: gavin at June 2, 2009 9:13 AM

my psp screen is black when i turn it on, but it seems to work fine otherwise.(p.s i have tryed the contrast changer,but i had no luck.p.s.s plz email me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: gavin at June 2, 2009 9:31 AM

I have the same problem too, it times out exchanging key information any ideas please

Posted by: Bryce at June 16, 2009 7:43 AM

i got a questtion is it possible to play on the same psp game as your friend when he dosnt have the same game that you are playing

Posted by: richard at June 21, 2009 6:37 PM

how do i fix my broken psp screen it fuctions properly exept the screen is black p.s i have tryed the contrast changer no luck please email me the answer

Posted by: gavin at June 27, 2009 9:43 AM

hie do i fix my wlan swich it seems to be completaly unresponsive i have no wireless anythingi have even thied to turn it on and off no luck there please email me answers

Posted by: gavin at June 27, 2009 9:48 AM

When I tried to go to a website on the PSP there was an error in obtaining the IP Address. The screen says,
"A connection error has occurred.
The attempt to obtain the IP address timed out."

What does this mean and is there any way to fix this?

Posted by: Sarah at July 26, 2009 10:30 AM

Hi Dave,I want to ask how do you post your question to this website,i know it's a stupid question.
But I can't find it...

Posted by: pupilbodoh at August 4, 2009 7:17 AM

And at all,I have the same problem.
but I already fix it,you have to be in range of an access point,possibly stores or whatever that have a WIFI connection.Check if it need a password or not,if it needs password than you have to ask the person working there.IF not then just go straight.

Posted by: pupilbodoh at August 4, 2009 7:24 AM

ok ummm....dave i followed ur tutorial all the way, but when my psp gets ready to connect and it begins exchanging key information....it times out and quits....what should i do??

Posted by: christopher at August 5, 2009 12:01 PM

I have the same question about my psp it says exchanging key information when trying to connect then times out what can i do to fix my wifi, which has the problem.

Posted by: christopher at August 5, 2009 12:09 PM

Hey Dave,

I followed every direction you told me to do so I say thank you but the problem is when I go to WWW.BROWESR something all ways comes up like the DNS numbers has time out and a connection has occurred. But the big problem is when I make a new connection following your steps it say that the connection was successful but when I use www.browesr with that same connection it dose not work it say this numbers like {80410410} so can you help me DAVE. Thank you for reading this.

Posted by: B e z 101 at August 23, 2009 10:07 PM

Dave,
I followed your manual, step by step... but when I test it out, it connects to the access point, but then it comes up saying, "A connection error has occurred. The key information exchange timed out" What do I do? Can you e-mail me the solution please.

Posted by: Nia Yorke at August 24, 2009 9:57 AM

thanks man that was very helpful you rockkkkkkk

Posted by: Mary at September 20, 2009 11:36 AM

my psp cannot detect access point.

Posted by: lowell at September 23, 2009 6:30 AM

it sais error connection, obtaining ipaddress has timed out. wtf do i do. i got the pass key for my network and evvertyhing this is bs.

Posted by: dasdasd at September 23, 2009 9:22 PM

my psp just says the key information exchange timed out what dose thin mean
tanks

Posted by: asif khan at September 25, 2009 3:28 PM

I got the error:They key information exchange timed out. The WPA key you enetered may not be correct. (It is the correct WPA key)Please help.

Posted by: Jacob at October 5, 2009 7:48 PM

I followed all the steps but i still coundnt open the internet it says a connection error has occurred.the key information exchange timed out. I really dont get it. it is so hard

Posted by: Shuaib Ali at October 8, 2009 4:30 AM

Heyy Dave I did exactly what you told me to do but I still couldn't get onto the internet and I tried moving closer to the internet connection, still nothing, tried different connections and that didnt work, something about the ip address timing out, can you help please?? Also I have my PSP connected to my computer and it doesnt show anything up on "my computer" why is that?? xxx

Posted by: Kelsey at October 10, 2009 5:18 PM

when i go to scan in 1 secon it comes up there is an internal error has occurred. so can u please help me fix this problem thanx.

Posted by: nelson at October 13, 2009 5:28 AM

Hello!
PLEASE!!!HELP ME!!0_0
:'(
Its been more than one year since i bought my PSP-3006 and i have never been able to connect to the internet with it!

my problem is that everytime i try to connect via W-LAN it says
"A connection error has occured.
the connection to the access point timed out."

I did enter my 26digit WEP key which is written on the back of my livebox.(modem)

i even tried to default it to WPA but it still doesnt work!!i've been searching on Youtube for a solution but in vain!!


PLEASE HELP ME!!!
i'm starting to think i'm the only person in the world whose PSP cannot browse the net!!:(

reply asap please!THANKS!!

Posted by: Neshen at October 15, 2009 7:37 AM

I need ur help please....
Whenever i scan for a network connection it gets some access points but when i test them, it would reply 'A connection error has occurred.A problem occurred while connecting to the access point.Check ur connection settings and try again.
This is my problem and i hope that u would do something about it.
PLS i'm desperate
Thank you

Posted by: somto mbaegbu at December 29, 2009 5:21 AM

A connection error has occurred. The key information exchange timed out. Can u help with the problem?

Posted by: juan coronado at January 2, 2010 10:01 AM

Okay, so my PSP isn't connecting to the internet. It says "The attempt to obtain the IP address timed out." Pleeeeeeeeeease tell me what do I do now? I see that a lot of people have the same problem. Does any one have any solutions?

Posted by: Jenny at January 5, 2010 6:36 PM

HI Dave,
thx for the easy instructions to get it work. Howeve, the key information exchange timed out" What do I do? Can you e-mail me the solution please.

Posted by: Ziggy at January 9, 2010 4:13 AM

It just easy guy's
just do exactly what Dave said.
=))

Posted by: Jp at January 12, 2010 4:24 AM

my problem is simelar to alot of other peoples. i set up eveything the way you described and when i test the connection it says that a connection error has occured and that it cant get a connection to the access point. i would appreciate any help you could give.

Posted by: Chris miles at February 13, 2010 9:34 PM

I'm trying to update my fifa 06 game - i know its old :P but when i choose to update the squad and it automatically goes to choose connection - the proper wireless choice is shaded and cant be chosen!!! any idea what to do.

Posted by: s lhendup at February 22, 2010 4:04 PM

Please end my suffering, have followed instructions but connection continually times out. The only way I can connect is to remove ALL security setting from my router which is something I am not going to continually do. Is this a problem with WPA-PSK? Any help would be appreciated.

Posted by: Giggitty at February 25, 2010 9:34 AM

I have had the same problem like Nia Yorke that posted a comment on August 24, 2009. What do i do please help me i really need it.

Posted by: Richard at February 27, 2010 5:14 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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