How to Restart PS4
Restarting your PS4 can resolve a variety of issues, including software glitches, game crashes, and connectivity problems. The process is simple and takes only a few seconds to complete. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps on how to restart your PS4, providing clear instructions and addressing any potential issues you may encounter. Whether you’re a seasoned PS4 user or a newcomer to the console, this guide will ensure a smooth and hassle-free restart experience.
Before proceeding with the restart process, it’s essential to note that any unsaved game data will be lost. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you save your progress or exit any active games before restarting your PS4. Additionally, if your PS4 is frozen or unresponsive, you may need to perform a hard reset. This involves manually turning off the console and then restarting it. However, it’s important to use this method only as a last resort, as it can potentially damage your PS4 if not done correctly.
Now, let’s dive into the detailed steps on how to restart your PS4. First, locate the power button on the front panel of your console. It’s a small, circular button positioned to the right of the disc drive. Once you’ve found the power button, press and hold it for a few seconds until the system beeps twice. The first beep indicates that the console is entering Rest Mode, while the second beep confirms that the system is shutting down. Wait a few moments for the PS4 to power down completely. To restart the console, press the power button again. The PS4 will boot up normally, and you can continue using it as usual.
Initiating a Safe Mode Restart
Initiating a Safe Mode restart can help resolve various issues that may prevent your PS4 from functioning normally. Follow these steps to enter Safe Mode:
- Turn off your PS4 completely by pressing and holding its power button until it beeps twice.
- Once turned off, press and hold the power button again until it beeps a second time, about seven seconds later.
- Keep holding the power button until you hear a third beep, about five seconds after the second one.
- Release the power button. Your PS4 will start in Safe Mode.
Selecting Safe Mode Options
Once in Safe Mode, you’ll see a menu with several options. Use the directional pad on your controller to navigate and the X button to make a selection.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Restart PS4 | Restarts your PS4 normally, without making any changes. |
| Change Resolution | Allows you to adjust the display resolution to ensure compatibility with your TV. |
| Update System Software | Updates your PS4’s system software to the latest version, resolving bugs and improving performance. |
| Factory Settings | Restores your PS4 to its original factory settings, erasing all data and reinitializing the system. |
| Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software) | Reinstalls the system software from scratch, which can resolve major issues. |
Performing a Full Power Cycle
A full power cycle is a more thorough restart method that involves completely powering down the PS4 and then turning it back on. This can be helpful in resolving issues that are not fixed by a simple restart, such as system crashes or freezing. To perform a full power cycle, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the PS4 using the power button on the console or the controller.
2. Once the PS4 is completely powered down, unplug the power cord from the back of the console.
3. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back into the PS4 and turn it on using the power button on the console or the controller.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for performing a full power cycle on your PS4:
- If you are experiencing frequent system crashes or freezing, you may want to try performing a full power cycle more often.
- If you are having trouble turning off your PS4 using the power button on the console, you can try using the controller to turn it off.
- If you are still having problems after performing a full power cycle, you may need to contact PlayStation Support for further assistance.
| Power Cycle Type | Steps |
|---|---|
| Soft Restart | 1. Press and hold the PS button on the controller for at least 10 seconds. 2. Select “Turn Off PS4” from the menu. |
| Safe Mode | 1. Turn off the PS4 using the power button on the console or the controller. 2. Once the PS4 is completely powered down, press and hold the power button. 3. Release the power button after you hear two beeps. 4. Connect a DualShock 4 controller to the PS4 using a USB cable. 5. Press the PS button on the controller. |
| Full Power Cycle | 1. Turn off the PS4 using the power button on the console or the controller. 2. Once the PS4 is completely powered down, unplug the power cord from the back of the console. 3. Wait for at least 30 seconds. 4. Plug the power cord back into the PS4 and turn it on using the power button on the console or the controller. |
Considerations for Game Progress and Data
Autosave and Manual Saves
Most PS4 games have an autosave feature that automatically saves progress at certain checkpoints or intervals. When restarting the PS4, it’s important to consider whether the game has an autosave function. If it does, progress up to the last autosave point will be preserved even after a restart. However, if there is no autosave or the autosave point is significantly far back, manual saves are crucial. Manually saving game progress before restarting ensures that all progress is retained.
Data Corruption
Restarting the PS4 abruptly can potentially lead to data corruption, including game save data. This risk is higher if the PS4 is experiencing system errors or hardware malfunctions. It’s recommended to save game progress manually before restarting to mitigate this risk.
Game Updates and Patches
Game updates and patches often contain important fixes and improvements. If a game is experiencing issues or has recently received an update, it’s advisable to install the update before restarting the PS4. This ensures that the game is running with the latest bug fixes and optimizations.
Network Connectivity
If the PS4 is connected to the internet, it’s important to consider online gameplay and multiplayer modes. Restarting the PS4 can disrupt network connections, affecting multiplayer sessions or online features. Ensure that the internet connection is stable before restarting to avoid any potential interruptions.
System Settings
Restarting the PS4 can revert certain system settings to their default values. This includes display settings, audio settings, and network configuration. If any specific settings have been customized, it’s recommended to note them down or take a screenshot before restarting to reconfigure them easily after the restart.
1. Using the Power Button
Press and hold the power button on the front of the PS4 for seven seconds. The system will beep twice and turn off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
2. Using the Settings Menu
Navigate to Settings > System > Power Saving Settings > Turn Off PS4. Select the option to turn off the PS4 and wait for it to completely shut down. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
3. Using Safe Mode
- Turn off the PS4.
- Press and hold the power button until the system beeps twice.
- Release the power button and wait for the system to enter Safe Mode.
- Select the option to restart the PS4.
4. Unplugging the Power Cord
- Turn off the PS4.
- Unplug the power cord from the back of the console.
- Wait a few minutes, then plug the power cord back in.
- Press the power button to turn on the PS4.
Troubleshooting Common Restart Issues
6. The PS4 Won’t Restart After Turning Off
If the PS4 won’t restart after turning off, there may be a problem with the power supply or the motherboard.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Faulty power supply | Replace the power supply |
| Faulty motherboard | Contact Sony for repair |
| Overheating | Ensure the PS4 has adequate ventilation |
Rebuilding the PS4 Database
Rebuilding the PS4 database can improve performance and resolve issues such as freezing or slow loading times. To do this:
- Turn off your PS4 completely.
- Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps.
- Release the power button after the second beep.
- Connect a DualShock 4 controller to the PS4 using a USB cable.
- Press the PS button on the controller.
- Select “Rebuild Database” from the Safe Mode menu.
- The rebuilding process may take several hours, depending on the size of your hard drive.
Additional Information
Rebuilding the database will not delete your saved data or games. However, it may take a long time to complete, so it is best to start the process before bed or when you will not need to use your PS4 for an extended period of time.
If you are still experiencing issues after rebuilding the database, you may need to initialize your PS4. This will erase all of your data, so it is important to back up your saved data before initializing.
| Error Code | Description |
|---|---|
| CE-34335-8 | The PS4 database is corrupted. |
| CE-34878-0 | The PS4 database cannot be rebuilt. |
Contacting PlayStation Support
If you are unable to restart your PS4 using the methods above, you can contact PlayStation Support for assistance. PlayStation Support offers various channels to reach their representatives, including:
| Channel | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-345-7669 |
| Live Chat | PlayStation Support Website |
| support@playstation.com |
#9. Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If you are still encountering issues restarting your PS4, you can try the following additional troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure that the power cord is properly connected to the PS4 and the power outlet.
- Try using a different power outlet.
- Check for any physical damage to the power cord or the power supply unit.
- Inspect the HDMI cable for any damage or loose connections.
- Unplug all external devices, such as external hard drives or USB peripherals, from the PS4.
- Try restarting the PS4 in Safe Mode. To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the power button for at least 7 seconds until you hear two beeps.
- Initialize the PS4. This will erase all data on the console, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
- Contact the manufacturer of your PS4 for further assistance.
How to Restart PS4
Restarting your PS4 can be necessary for troubleshooting a variety of issues, such as software crashes, freezing, or network problems. Here’s how to restart your PS4:
- Press and hold the PS button on your DualShock 4 controller.
- Select the “Power” option from the menu that appears.
- Select the “Restart PS4” option.
- Your PS4 will restart.
People Also Ask
How to Hard Reset PS4
A hard reset will erase all data from your PS4 and restore it to its factory settings. This is a good option if you’re experiencing serious problems with your PS4, or if you’re planning on selling it.
- Turn off your PS4.
- Hold down the power button until you hear two beeps.
- Release the power button.
- Connect a DualShock 4 controller to your PS4 using a USB cable.
- Press the PS button on the controller.
- Select the “Initialize PS4” option.
- Select the “Full” initialization option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initialization process.
How to Restart PS4 in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a special boot mode that allows you to troubleshoot problems with your PS4. In Safe Mode, you can perform a variety of tasks, such as rebuilding the PS4 database, resetting the PS4 to its factory settings, and updating the PS4 software.
- Turn off your PS4.
- Hold down the power button until you hear two beeps.
- Release the power button.
- Press and hold the power button again until you hear a single beep.
- Release the power button.
- Connect a DualShock 4 controller to your PS4 using a USB cable.
- Press the PS button on the controller.
- The PS4 will start in Safe Mode.
