When your PlayStation 4 won't turn on, you may hear a beep and see a light, or there may be no signs of life. Several issues can cause this problem, but there are a few easy troubleshooting steps you can follow to get your console back up and running again.
These instructions pertain broadly to all versions of the PlayStation 4, with specific model instructions where necessary.
Why Won't My PS4 Turn On?
When a PS4 doesn't turn on, the cause can be a hardware, software, firmware, or power issue. Hardware issues, like bad power supplies and broken power buttons, are best left to the professionals. Software and power issues are often much easier to fix, so there's a good chance you'll be able to get your PS4 up and running without an expensive repair bill.
When software issues prevent a PS4 from turning on, it's usually caused by an incomplete system update, corrupt files, or even a bad hard drive. These are all easy enough to troubleshoot, and your PS4 comes with a built-in safe mode that you can use to perform a lot of fixes.
Power issues are also relatively easy to identify and fix most of the time. You may have a problem with your power cable, power strip, surge protector, or outlet. By carefully trying different combinations, you can safely identify the source and rectify this problem.
How to Fix It When a PS4 Won’t Turn On
To troubleshoot a problem where your PS4 won't turn on, perform each of the following steps in order.
Interrupt power to the PS4. First, unplug the power cable from your PS4 for at least 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. Once it's plugged back in, you can attempt to turn the console on.
Power cycle your PS4. Turn the console off by holding the power button even if the console seems to be off already. After the lights stop flashing, or about 30 seconds have passed, remove the power cables and let your console sit for at least 20 minutes. Press and hold the power button again while the console is still unplugged. Then plug the console back in and see if it will turn on.
Try a different power cable. If you have another power cable available, remove the current cable and try the other one.
Your PS4 uses a standard IEC C7 power cable, the same cable used by the Xbox One S and various other electronic devices. If you don't own such devices, these cables can be found at most electronics stores.
Try a different power strip or outlet. If you're using a power strip or surge protector, it may have gone bad. Check to see if other devices work using the outlet your PS4 is connected to, and try plugging your PS4 into a different outlet.
Clean the dust out of your console. Using canned air, blow the dust out of your PS4 through all of the vent holes. Depending on how much dust you're dealing with, you may have to take the console apart to clean it completely.
Opening your PS4 up to clean it out may void your warranty. If you still have a valid warranty, you may want to try cleaning the dust out without actually opening the case.
Try inserting a game disc. If the system automatically pulls the disc in and powers on, then you should be able to use your PS4 as normal. If you can't, then there may be a problem with your hard drive or the system files that can be fixed in safe mode.
Try starting your PS4 in safe mode. Safe mode allows the console to boot with only the most basic functions active, so it is sometimes available when a PS4 won't start up normally.
To boot into safe mode, first shut your console down fully. Then push and hold the power button until you hear the console beep twice. Finally, you will have to connect a controller via USB and push the PS button.
If you can boot into safe mode, you probably have a software problem. Try updating your system software or perform a factory reset if nothing else works.
Remove your PS4 hard drive. With the drive removed, try starting the PS4 as normal and then in safe mode if that doesn't work. If there is a problem with your hard drive, your PS4 will turn on either using the standard method or the safe mode method. You may be able to shut the console down and reinstall the hard drive at that point, but it's more likely that you will have to replace the drive.
Removing the hard drive may void your warranty. If you have a valid warranty, consult with Sony about potential free repairs before taking apart your console.
Check for signs of insects. PlayStation 4 consoles have warm, dark interiors and large vent holes for heat to escape, so they tend to attract physical bugs. If you've ever had trouble with insects in your gaming area, there's a good chance some may have found their way inside your console. If that's the case, opening the console up and cleaning it out may allow it to turn on again.
Bugs living inside your console may have shorted out internal components, in which case you will need professional repairs.
Make sure your power button is connected internally. Did your PS4 stop turning on after you took the console apart to clean it? The power button on the PS4 cover uses a small metal contact to push a button on the internal circuit board, and it's easy to reinstall the cover in such a way that the power button no longer works.
Try taking the cover back off, and inspect the metal piece that extends from the power button on the cover. If it isn't broken off, take care while reinstalling the cover to make sure that the metal piece contacts the power button inside your console.
If your console has never been taken apart, do not take it apart to check the power button. Doing so may actually make your problem worse if you snap off the piece that pushes the power button.
Replace your power supply. In some cases, a bad power supply is the root cause of your PS4 not turning on. This isn't that much more difficult to replace than a PS4 hard drive, but it is something you will probably have trouble diagnosing definitively without special tools and knowledge. For that reason, you may want to consider consulting with a professional before you try replacing the power supply yourself.
FAQ
Why won't my PS4 controller turn on?
If your PS4 controller won't charge, check the charging cable and port, then power cycle your PS4. If you still have trouble, try resetting your PS4 controller.
Why won't my PS4 connect to Wi-Fi?
If your PS4 won't connect to Wi-Fi, check the status of the PlayStation Network, then restart your console, router, and modem. Move your PS4 closer to the router, or use a wired Ethernet connection.
How do I fix a PS4 that won't read discs?
If your PS4 won't read a disc, start by cleaning the disc and rebooting your PS4. If you still have issues, try cleaning the interior of the disc drive and rebuilding the database from safe mode. If you're trying to eject a disc from your PS4 and nothing happens, use the manual eject screw.
How do I fix stick drift on my PS4 controller?
To fix PS4 controller stick drift, clean and reset the controller. If necessary, disassemble your PS4 controller to clean the analog stick. If you can't get the controller repaired by Sony, try replacing the analog sticks yourself.
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