Why Does My PS4 Continue to Shut Down on Its Own?

The PlayStation 4 can occasionally shut off on its own shortly after turning on the system or after using it for some time. You can use this page to find out if it can be fixed easily or if you need more expert assistance.

How to Fix a PlayStation 4 Turning off by Itself

Because the causes are varied, so are the fixes. Try the following troubleshooting steps to see if you can get your PlayStation 4 working as it should.

1. Clean the “on” button. The PlayStation 4 Pro (a later model that supports 4K display resolutions) and the smaller PS4 “Slim” have physical buttons for turning on the console and ejecting discs. However, earlier versions of the console have touch-sensitive sections to perform these tasks. If they get dirt or oil on them, they can activate without your input.

    

2. Check the cable connections. If your power cable is loose, it may lose the connection. Make sure it’s firmly connected to both the console and the wall outlet or power strip.

   If everything seems to be working fine, you can try replacing the cord if no other suggestions work.

3. Give your PS4 a break. If a blinking and/or colored power light accompanies the issue, the system may be overheating. You can try unplugging it from the wall for a few minutes. Try it again with a different outlet.

   Your PlayStation 4’s power indicator may display a blinking red light, a blue light, or no light at all when it has this issue.

4. Move the console. If your PlayStation 4 is overheating, it may not have enough room to move the hot air it generates away from its interior. If it’s inside an entertainment center, for example, move it out of the cubby and to a place where it has a few inches on each size to keep itself cool.

    

5. Check for a software update. If your system is turning off after you’ve been using it for a while and not immediately after starting it up, check to see if it needs an update by going to Settings > System Software Update > Update Now.

   It’s also possible that the firmware you’re currently running is corrupt, and you may need to install a new one with an external drive. Use Sony’s step-by-step instructions to do this.

   For this and later steps, it’s a good idea to back up your PS4 data before you try them.

6. Reset the PlayStation 4. This operation involves completely deleting the hard drive and restoring the system to the state it was in when you first set it up. Perform this on the console by going to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 and follow the prompts.

    

7. Start the PS4 in Safe Mode. If the system won’t stay on long enough for you to try some of these fixes, you should give Safe Mode a try. It’s a state that only runs the most necessary functions the PS4 needs to run, so it might avoid whatever’s causing it to malfunction. To enter Safe Mode:

   1. Turn off the console.
   2. Hold the power button. You’ll hear a beep when you first press it, but keep holding it until you hear another one, which will be about seven seconds later.
   3. Plug in your controller and press its PS button.
    

8. Check the hard drive. An improperly seated hard drive can cause performance problems, and a faulty one can stop your console from working at all. The easiest fix is to ensure that the drive is seated firmly into place, but you may also have to replace the PS4 hard drive.

   How you access your hard drive depends on which model you own:

   • PlayStation 4: Slide the cover off of the top-left side of the console.
   • PlayStation 4 Slim: Slide off the cover on the back of the console.
   • PlayStation 4 Pro: Turn the console upside-down and remove the cover from the back.

   

    

9. Contact Sony. If none of these fix’s work, your system may need servicing. Reach out to Sony for any additional troubleshooting solutions and to start the repair process.

    

Reasons for the PlayStation 4 shutting down on its own

The PlayStation 4 can be hot, have a faulty hard drive, a corrupted firmware, poorly soldered internal components, or just have dust or debris on the switch. Before opening a support ticket, attempt to repair it yourself by following the preceding steps.