How To Start PS4 In Safe Mode

Having trouble with your PlayStation 4 console?

Whether you’re trying to update your software on your PS4 or PS5, just want to give it a hard reset, or want to wipe all the information and star from scratch, starting your PlayStation console in Safe Mode is a useful bit of information to know if you own one of the Sony systems.

We’ve answered all your questions about about starting your PlayStation in Safe Mode, the options that are available in Safe Mode, and what to do if you need to update your software once you’re in Safe Mode. Keep reading to make the most of what it means to start your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 in Safe Mode.

How To Start PS4 In Safe Mode

Starting your PlayStation 4 in safe mode is easy to achieve in just a few simple steps.

  1. Turn off your PS4 completely by pressing the power button like normal. The button should blink a couple times before it powers down completely.
  2. Press and hold the power button to turn your PS4 back on. You should hear a beep, followed by another one about seven seconds later. After hearing the second beep, release the power button.
  3. Your PS4 should be successfully booted up in Safe Mode. Plug in your PS4 controller and click the PS4 button.

What Does Safe Mode Mean On PS4?

Wondering what is safe mode on PS4?

Starting your PS4 or PS5 console in Safe Mode means your system will only work with the most basic functions available. Safe Mode is designed to help you resolve any troubleshooting issues you may have with your PlayStation console, such as rebuilding the console database, changing your resolution, or doing a hard reset on the system.

Take note that some Safe Mode options will mean you lose data on your PlayStation. Back up anything you want to keep safe to a USB or Cloud Storage before you start your console in Safe Mode.

How To Update System Software Using Safe Mode

Updating your software is a regular part of maintenance for your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console. If your system has been offline for an extended period of time or you attempted a system software update and failed, you’ll want to attempt to get the update via Safe Mode. Follow these steps to update your system software in Safe Mode:

  1. If you can get to the home screen but the system software update has failed, connect your PS4 or PS5 to your router via a LAN cable.
  2. For the PS5: Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update > Update System Software
  3. For the PS4: Go to Notifications and delete any existing update files by pressing the options button > Delete

Can’t Start Your PlayStation In Safe Mode?

If you’re trying to start your PS4 or PS5 console in Safe Mode and find it isn’t working properly, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

  1. Try using the PlayStation console with a different USB, HDMI, or power cable.
  2. Power Cycle the console by doing the following:
    1. Completely turn off the console by holding the power button.
    2. Wait for the power light to stop blinking and remove the power cable.
    3. Leave the console for 20 minutes.
    4. Reconnect and attempt to start the console in Safe Mode.

What Are The Safe Mode Options?

There are various options available for you when you start your PS4 or PS5 in Safe Mode. Scroll to read through all of the Safe Mode options for each PlayStation console.

PS4 Console: Safe Mode Options

  1. Restart system
  2. Change resolution
  3. Update system software
  4. Restore default settings
  5. Initialize PS4
  6. Initialize PS4 (reinstall system software)
  7. Set HDCP mode (PS4 Pro only)

PS5 Console: Safe Mode Options

  1. Restart PS5
  2. Change video output
  3. Update system software
  4. Restore default settings
  5. Clear cache and rebuild database
  6. Reset PS5
  7. Reset PS5 (reinstall system software)

How To Get A PS4 Out Of Safe Mode

With your console all squared away, now it’s time to get your PS4 out of safe mode. To do that, simply restart your console. By default, your game will come back on and you’ll be able to play as you normally would.

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Want tons of other PlayStation info? Be sure to play these open world games on your PS4. And check out how backwards compatible the PS5 is with older PlayStation generations.