Must Read: Sorry, but bringing back the Start menu won't help Windows 8

Topic: Mobility

Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

Summary: Sony's PlayStation Network went down on Wednesday, April 20. Three days later, nothing has really changed on the end of PSN users. What gives?

Rachel King

By for The ToyBox |

Sony's PlayStation Network went down on Wednesday, April 20. Three days later, nothing has really changed on the end of PSN users. What gives?

Earlier in April, the PlayStation Network went down due to hackers. It looks like another vulnerability has been exploited, and here's the statement from the official PlayStation Blog:

An external intrusion on our system has affected our PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. In order to conduct a thorough investigation and to verify the smooth and secure operation of our network services going forward, we turned off PlayStation Network & Qriocity services on the evening of Wednesday, April 20th. Providing quality entertainment services to our customers and partners is our utmost priority. We are doing all we can to resolve this situation quickly, and we once again thank you for your patience. We will continue to update you promptly as we have additional information to share.

As a PlayStation 3 owner, this is particularly annoying on a weekend as there is more time to take advantage of the fun aspects of the PS3, even more so than just online gaming but also streaming movies from Netflix and Hulu Plus. Additionally, I tried accessing the Music Unlimited (powered by Qriocity) service on Friday evening for a social gathering, and it was impossible. That's a particular nuisance since it's a paid subscription service that I really only use on the console, not my computer.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything we can do except do something else until Sony fixes this.

[UPDATE: A few helpful tipsters sent in this advice if you want to access Netflix on the PS3. You must attempt logging in at least twice and both times will likely fail. However, on the third try it should work. A bit strange, but apparently it's worked for some PS3 owners. Good luck!]

Related coverage on ZDNet:

Topics: Mobility, Hardware, Networking

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

51 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • Someone getting even?

    Maybe on someone else's behalf? Just wondering. Nobody will be stupid enough to claim responsibility perhaps, and Sony will never tell. Can't say I feel sorry for them.
    Economister
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

    "even more so than just online gaming but also streaming movies from Netflix"
    Actually, you can still watch Netflix movies. Netflix do not rely on playstation network services. As long as the ps3 is connected to the Internet you can still watch Netflix.
    derek2877
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

      @derek2877

      actually, netflix is down, and you require the PSN to be running to watch movies on it. Even the playstation website has stated this
      audio_jack
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @audio_jack That is strange then. I have a Netflix account and can still watch streaming movies without psn. PSN will prompt me to signon, but I cancel it and able to access Netflix. Maybe a glitch on Sony's end??
        derek2877
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @audio_jack

        No it isn't, and no it doesn't. You will be prompted to log into PSN, which will fail, then netflix will eventually connect, you will get another prompt to log into PSN over the netflix screen, it will fail again, and go away, leaving netflix up.

        It only doesn't work if you are making the first attempt to sync your system to your netflix account.
        callahan9119
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

    Still it's not like it's anywhere close to Microsoft's record of 14 days for their PAID service...

    http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/03/xbox-live-outage-day-13-still-up-and-down-still-preventing-fu/

    Of course the difference is, this is Microsoft, and the media run scared of upsetting them, so generally sweep things like this and RROD under the carpet, and at best try and hide the news in a busy news day.
    Mark Str
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

      @Mark Str, In 2008? Really?? Troll much, Sorry for asking that one, I know you do!
      AboveAverageJoe
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @AboveAverageJoe

        It's still 7x longer than the current PSN outage, and that time, it was Microsoft's penny pinching (despite rolling in cash from Xbox Live subscriptions) that caused it, not pathetic American DDoS attacks from bored/upset Xbox fanboys without any decent games to play.
        Mark Str
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @Mark Str - It's Linux fanboys that are upset because Sony took away Linux from PS3.
        Champ_Kind
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

      @Mark Str

      <i>Of course the difference is, this is Microsoft, and the media run scared of upsetting them, so generally sweep things like this and RROD under the carpet, and at best try and hide the news in a busy news day. </i>

      Uh.... do you get all your news off of MSN? The tech media LOVES taking pot-shots at MS. There are legions of RROD stories.
      SlithyTove
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @SlithyTove Agreed. This troll came riding in on the fail whale.
        jmwells21
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

    what a royal pain in the ass! i broke my playstation (because it SUCKS!) and went and bought a xbox. i would rather pay a few dollars than put up with this shit ALL THE TIME!!! FUCK PLAYSTATION!!!!!!
    xchezwiz
    Reply Vote

  • When Will It Be Back Up?

    I say things happen and its to bad PSN is down on such a big weekend. On the other hand i think discretion at this point (after a false ETA) requires some transparency from Sony. After all, we are the reason the company even exists today. It would be fair, to make us feel "apart of" the solution. Recent forum clearly states it was shut down to protect us. It sounds like a mistake was made and ownership will remain literally anonymous. I wouldn't be surprised if its bigger than the network, maybe some Inside Trading. Moral Hazard it does work. Lets just hope they're not down for good.
    2Understand
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

    It is really annoying that I can not play Black Ops! I was in the middle of a GREAT game when it went down and was not able to collect on my xp points!!! I hope they are able to fix this real soon or I might be forced to switch to an X Box. YUK!!!! Trying to hang on playstation!!
    Midwest_Diva
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

    switched from xbox 360 to ps3 because of issues with the xbox console itself like many others at the time but now the psn has gone down and my xbox live account is ready and waiting Sony better hurry up and sort this or I will have no choice but to convert back.<br><br>These hackers are not stupid and must of known Sony would of shut the network down and claim it isnt to hurt consumers but to get at Sony and the hackers claim they are on the side of the gamers as it is an attempt to prove a point that consumers should have free rights to unlock full rights to their consoles.<br><br>All I want to do like most people is play online and download games not mess around with jailbreaking my console or going against Sony.<br><br>Anyone who bought a PS3 knew what they were getting before they bought it and arent concerned about anything other than playing the games just a small few like to be clever and mess around but normal consumers suffer and when Sony lose money then guess who ends up paying in the end - the consumer!

    No doubt Sony fix this and then the little twerps will attack Microsoft, X-box users beware!
    angryPSNuser
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

      @angryPSNuser hi, its goes further then just using your equpiment for 'extended' functions. it the right for an indvidual to buy a product and use how they want and not to have big brother telling them what they can or cannot do with the hard earned cash.<br>an example -imagine a game comes out that is great to play and you are enjoying it, but then there is a problem like GTA having material in it that is not quite rating friendly. 99% of user will never see the iffy content but sony pulls the game and you are no longer able to play it. no refund no warning just pulled. you would be rightly very unhappy.<br>another example.<br>you buy a book in a kindle amazon for what ever reason decide it not good to have the pull the book remove it from your account no refund no explainsion.<br><br>it about consumer rights to buy and use a product for what ever reason they choose.<br>i dont buy sony because of this or apple or kindle books. not sure if google will do the same with andriod. if so i will consider greatly if i will buy a product that removes my rights to use a device how i wish...

      it the thin edge of the wedge. anon are great for doing this ok some will be upset about the downtime. but all should be upset about the rough shod way certain big companies act. more power to the people i say.
      ukdaveg
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

    We all need to give sony a break, honestly.. Ive read at least 300 post's worldwide and people are so Rageing on the PS3.. The comments that get me are the ones compairing PS3 to XBox.. There is no comparison.. period.. Leading edge graphics accelerators, Blue-Ray ready, free network, a controller that my 7 yr old can hold properly, and a support staff thats 100 times better than Xbox.. My wife and I always have the PS3 vs XBox war (she owns a 360) and she always loses.. her network goes down all the time, maybe for short periods but it goes down and she pays for it.. PS3's success is really the problem here.. not Sony.. Black-Ops made more money in one day then any major motion picture has in a week, so many users produce major issues for a network via downloading, patching or just crashing onto the network.. so dont be hatin, just be happy you have the best system out there that everyone wants lol.. i know its hard...waiting too hear "Friendly dogs incomming" myself ;)
    Thundarious
    Reply Vote

    • This massage was brought to you by....Sony

      @Thundarious

      What the heck does your post have to do with the outage anyway?
      Economister
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @Economister

        Due too the outage ppl are yapping about the PS3 being a lame system, have you not read other posts? or just this thread? Did you even read what I wrote? lol leave trolling too the fisherman my friend
        Thundarious
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Sony PlayStation Network still down after three days

        @Economister Haha. I read your post, THEN I read his... it was good times all around
        Shiggity
        Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close