Is your PlayStation 4 stuck in Safe Mode?
There are quite a few reasons why your PS4 is stuck in Safe Mode, some more serious than others. Take a look though our list of fixes and try them until one works, take your time to work through each fix step by step though as some are complicated and cause no end of aggravation if you’ve missed a step.
Restart PS4
When a PS4 starts in Safe Mode you will need to connect your controller through USB in order to use it. Once you’ve done this you can navigate the safe mode menu and select the restart PS4 option.
This should hopefully reboot your PS4 into the usual operating mode, if it doesn’t, you may need to restore the operating system by following the steps below.
Install update from Internet
Although it may sound simple, its much better practice to start with the easy simple stuff in hope that it solves your issue before delving into more time consuming options. Just select the ‘Update System Software ‘ option from the safe mode menu. Once it has completed the console will switch of or restart, if it just shuts off then turn it on and check if it’s worked. If you are still in safe mode move onto the Restore Operating System from Internet section below.
Install update from stick
- Clear a USB stick and connect it to your computer.
- Create a folder named ‘PS4’
- Inside the folder PS4, create a new folder named ‘UPDATE’
- Head to https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/get-help/ps4-system-software/
- Click ‘PS4 System Software Update File’
- Save the file inside the UPDATE folder and name the file ‘PS4UPDATE.PUP’
- Disconnect USB safely from your computer
- Plug into any USB port on your PlayStation 4
- Select ‘initialize PS4 (reinstall system software)’
- Follow any on screen instructions and wait for your PS4 to come back on.
Once the update has completed check to see if your console is in safe mode when it boots, if it is, you will need to see the section on restoring the operating system from stick.
Restore Operating System from Internet
NOTE: Restoring from Internet WILL NOT delete your data
If your PlayStation has a WiFi or Ethernet connection you will be able to select ‘Rebuild Database’ On the Safe Mode options menu. Follow the on screen instructions then leave your console to restore itself.
Restore operating system from stick
WARNING: Restoring from stick WILL DELETE YOUR DATA
- Clear a USB stick and connect it to your computer.
- Create a folder named ‘PS4’
- Inside the folder PS4, create a new folder named ‘UPDATE’
- Head to https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/get-help/ps4-system-software/
- Click ‘PS4 System Software Reinstallation File’
- Save the file inside the UPDATE folder and name the file ‘PS4UPDATE.PUP’
- Disconnect USB safely from your computer
- Plug into any USB port on your PlayStation 4
- Select ‘initialize PS4 (reinstall system software)’
- Follow any on screen instructions and wait for your PS4 to come back on.
This is an absolute last resort for your console and will put your PlayStation back to factory settings.
Ask for free consultation from a console repair expert
If none of the above tips have worked you will need to have your PS4 console looked at by a specialist. This will most likely still be cheaper than buying a new console and is well worth looking into.
We at Here Tech Support offer free consultation and diagnosis on all devices from Southampton, Portsmouth to Bournemouth. Simply call or complete our website contact form. We’ll get back to you quickly.
