How To Play a PS4 on a Laptop Screen

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The Playstation 4 is the most popular games console on earth. It has sold over 100 million units since it was launched in 2013. Now everyone seems to be reaching out for one but could it be that you haven’t because you do not know how to play  PS4 on a laptop screen? Here are a few ways to do away with the limitation.

How to Play PS4 on Laptop Via Remote Play

For a long time. PS4 has not been accessible on the go. We live in an era where smart gadgets rule and you can do anything no matter your location. With PS4, you had to wait until you got in front of your TV.

Things have now changed, Sony has decided to go with the flow and now there are ways you can play games on your laptop and phone. In this article, we will be focusing on how to play PS4 on a laptop screen.

Sony has done away with the hustle and now has offered an easier option. Its called Remote Play. The PS4 Remote Play allows you to stream and play or switch between games, browse the menus or view the home screen on any compatible device that has been connected to your broadband.

What this simply means is that you can pause a game on TV  and catch up with it on your chosen device, in this case, your laptop. You can opt to switch on your PS4 and play directly from the app without touching the TV.

What do I need to use Remote Play

According to Playstation.com, you will need the following to be able to use Remote Play:

• Your PS4 connected to your home broadband network
• A compatible device also connected to your broadband network
• The Remote Play app
• A Dualshock 4 wireless controller
• A compatible PS4 game
• The broadband network speed should be at least 5 Mbps

Now that is not all. We need to delve deeper into the system requirements because compatibility is an ambiguous term. Before you download and install the Remote Play app, there are system requirements for your Windows laptop.

Windows system requirements

• Windows 8.1 or 10, 32 bit and 64 bit are both okay
• Minimum 2 GB RAM
• At least 100MB storage
• Intel Core i5-560M 2.67 GHz. 2.50 GHz processor or something higher is recommended
• Sound card
• 1024×768 resolution
• USB port

How to Download Remote Play to Play PS4 On Laptop Screen

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Go to Sony’s official website, choose your operating system in this case, Windows. Ensure that you choose the correct version of Windows for your laptop.

The next step is setting up. The recent update is version 2.8 and it comes with good stability. This is the version you should get when downloading. After downloading, run the file and it will open a dialog box. 

Follow the instructions as prompted. If you are interested in the additional features then check the options that you like in the dialog box. Let the installation run its full course.

Setting up Remote Play

You are almost done and are doing great in the how to play PS4 on laptop screen class.  Here is what you should do next:

• Turn on your PS4 console and head on to settings
• Click the Remote Play connection settings
• Select Enable Remote Play checkbox. This is what allows your console to interact with the Remote Play software you installed on your laptop.
• While still on the PS4 settings, go back to account management
• Set the PS4 console as the primary system. You will click on Activate as Your Primary PS4

So what if your console is on rest mode, can you still set it up? Yes you can and here is how:

• Go to the settings menu on your PS4
• Go to power save settings
• Click on set features available in rest mode
• Ensure that you are still connected to the internet
• Check on enable turning on PS4

It is now time to play on the go.

How to Play

This is what you need to do when using Remote Play

• Turn on your PS4. you can have it on rest mode as well if you configured it accordingly as shown above
• Connect the controller with your laptop. You can use a USB cable or a Dualshock USB wireless adaptor
• Open Remote Play on your laptop
• Click the start button
• A window will pop up asking for login details so sign in and go

Ensure that you have a stable internet connection throughout or delays will occur frequently.

What to do When Remote Play is Absent

In case Remote Play is not available or there are stability issues, you are advised to do the following:

• Check to see if you have high-speed internet connectivity. 5 Mbps is the least amount of speed required.
• To view your current PS4  speed, go to settings, then to network then click on test internet connection.
• Make use of a wired internet connection for both your PC and PS4. If you are using WiFi then ensure that your PS4 is close to the router and that there are no obstructions in between.
• It could be that other devices on your broadband network are using a huge chunk of the bandwidth. You should wait until they are not in use before using Remote Play.
• Launch Remote Play, click on PS4 Remote Play then click on Preferences followed by Video quality then configure the settings. When it comes to resolution choose standard 540p or 360p which is lower. For frame choose standard.
• In case the internet connection instability persists, you will have to contact your internet service provider.

How to Play PS4 on Laptop Screen using a Video Capture Card

The other simplest way to play PS4 on your laptop screen is by using a video capture card. It might cost you a bit but it is worth every penny. Here are some of the things you will need:

• Your laptop
• Internet connectivity
• Video capture card
• HDMI cable
• You will have to enable file sharing

The Steps to Follow

• Connect your PS4 to the internet. If you are using WiFi, head on to the settings then to the internet connection settings and locate your WiFi. Hit the button and connect. If you are using ethernet then connect both your PC and PS4 using the ethernet cables.
• Ensure to get a well-recommended video capture card. Connect the card to your laptop. The USB and software required to facilitate this connection should be supplied during the purchase of the card.
• The video capture card also needs to be connected to the PS4. put the HDMI cable in the HDMI in port on the capture card and the out port on the PS4.
• Un the video capture card software on your laptop then turn on the PS4. the software should do a quick search before showing the PS4’s screen. Just note that running the software in full screen enables you to enjoy the game graphics in full swing.

So you see, there is no need for the TV now plus you do not need to fight for it. Your laptop will serve you just fine.

How to Play PS4 on Laptop Screen Via Playstation Now

Playstation Now is a gaming subscription-based service that allows gamers like you to play without purchasing the console or the game. You will have to pay $99.99 annually and this gives you access to tonnes of games on your laptop.

For the skeptical guys, no need to fret. You can still try out the goods before deciding if you want to subscribe. Sony offers a 7-day trial which you can pay for later if you like what you get. If you don’t like the service then you can cancel the trial period as well as the auto subscription. 

Playstation Now System Requirements

• A storage minimum of 300 MB
• At least 2GB Memory
• Intel Core i3 with 3.5 GHz or AMD A10 with 3.8 GHz
• Windows 8.1 or 10

How to Download and Install Playstation Now

• Go to Sony’s official website and download Playstation Now
• Open the setup wizard once downloading is complete and click on next
• Agree to the license and click next
• Check where you want to install the folder on your PC then click next
• Create a desktop shortcut by checking box then click next
• Click install
• Click allow
• Click install when the install popup comes. Once the installation is complete, click finish and Playstation Now will start automatically.

Using Playstation Now

• Select date of birth, region, and language
• Click the sign-in option
• Click on start free trial and this will lead you to the browser
• Select your preferred subscription period from the available options. Once your trial ends, you will be charged
• Select choose version then enter your credentials and sign in. The same details will be used to sign in to Playstation Now
• Click on the 7-day trial option
• Enter billing details
• Once payment details are registered, you can go ahead and start playing

To connect the controller to your laptop to play requires that you plug the controller to your PC via a USB cable. Your laptop will then show a controller icon. Click on that icon to connect your controller and that is it.

Conclusion

These are some of the best steps to take in order to turn your laptop into a gaming machine. No need to fight over the TV again or buy another one for gaming purposes.