PS5 System Update April 2026: New Features, Fixes, and Mandatory Changes Explained

A new PS5 system software update has officially rolled out, and this one is mandatory. While it may look like a routine firmware patch at first glance, many players discovered there was more going on—especially those suddenly locked out of online multiplayer, media apps, or even parts of PlayStation Network.

If your PS5 started acting strangely, kicking you out of games, freezing during online sessions, or refusing to connect to PSN, there’s a good chance it wasn’t your console at all. It was tied to the new update rollout and a PlayStation Network terms of service prompt many users never even received.

PS5 Online Multiplayer Not Working? Here’s What Happened

A lot of players ran into the same problem: trying to launch online games like Call of Duty only to get booted out, disconnected, or unable to sign in to PlayStation Network altogether.

At first, it looked like server problems or internet issues. But after testing connections and troubleshooting, the real issue turned out to be much simpler.

The fix? Accept the updated PlayStation Network Terms of Service.

For many users, the PS5 didn’t proactively show the notification. That’s where the confusion started.

How to Accept the New PSN Terms of Service

If you’re still having trouble accessing multiplayer or media apps, do this first:

1. Open the PlayStation Store
2. Attempt to sign in
3. You should be prompted to accept the new Terms of Service
4. Accept the agreement
5. Restart your session and try launching games again

Once accepted, access to online multiplayer, streaming apps, and PSN services should return to normal.

It sounds simple, but because the prompt didn’t appear automatically for many users, a lot of players were left thinking something was wrong with their PS5.

New PS5 Update Download Size and Installation Time

The update itself is relatively small—less than 1GB—so on paper, it should install quickly.

In practice, it may take longer than expected.

Because so many users were trying to access PlayStation Network and download the update at once, server congestion slowed things down considerably. Even users with fast internet connections reported unusually long install times.

In some cases, the full update process took around 30 minutes.

So if yours feels slow, that seems to be normal right now.

What’s New in PS5 Update Version 26.03-13.20.00.06?

While this isn’t a massive feature-packed overhaul, Sony did include a few additions and improvements.

Expanded Emoji Reactions in Messages

One of the headline additions is expanded emoji reactions for messages.

It may not be groundbreaking, but there are more ways to react in chats, which some players will appreciate.

Enhanced Messaging and UI Improvements

Sony also mentions:

• Improved messaging functionality
• General visibility enhancements
• Standard system performance adjustments
• Stability improvements

Some of these changes are subtle, but they’re aimed at smoothing out everyday PS5 use.

Why This PS5 Update Is Mandatory

This is not an optional firmware patch.

For some players, accepting the new Terms of Service may be enough to restore functionality, but others may still need to install the update before accessing online services.

If multiplayer isn’t working or PSN features are blocked, updating your console is likely required.

Go to:

Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings

Then check for the newest version manually if your PS5 hasn’t prompted you yet.

Are There Any Bugs With the New PS5 Update?

So far, there haven’t been widespread reports of major bugs tied directly to the firmware itself.

Most issues being reported seem linked to:

• Missing Terms of Service prompt
• PSN sign-in problems
• Temporary multiplayer access issues
• Slow update downloads due to network traffic

Those problems began surfacing during the rollout, and for many players they disappeared once the terms were accepted or the update was installed.

Still, because this update is fresh, it’ll be worth watching to see if any bugs emerge over the next few days.

What To Do If PSN Still Isn’t Working After Updating

If you’ve installed the update and accepted the terms but still can’t connect, try these quick checks:

• Sign out and back into PlayStation Network
• Restart your PS5
• Test your internet connection again
• Reopen PlayStation Store to confirm the terms prompt was completed
• Check PlayStation server status

In many cases, one of those steps resolves lingering connection issues.

Final Thoughts on the New PS5 System Software Update

This update may not be packed with flashy features, but it’s an important one.

The bigger story isn’t even the new emoji reactions or messaging tweaks—it’s the confusion surrounding PSN access and the hidden Terms of Service requirement that caught so many players off guard.

If your PS5 suddenly couldn’t connect online, there’s a strong chance this was the reason.

Update your system, accept the new terms if prompted, and you should be back in action.

And if you’ve noticed any bugs, performance changes, or ran into the same multiplayer issue, it’ll be interesting to see how widespread it really is as more players install the update.