The PlayStation 5 is the most popular console of the current generation, and while it is generally quite stable and reliable, every piece of technology has the risk of failure.
But don’t worry! If your trusty console won’t turn on, it’s not trying to stop you from playing Bloodborne a fourth time. There are tons of ways to solve the problem when a PS5 won’t turn on. Read on to find out.
How to fix the PS5 won’t turn on issue
PS5 won’t turn on software fixes
Sometimes the problem preventing your PS5 from turning on is an issue with the device’s software. There are a few things you can do to try and resolve a software issue.
Power cycle your PlayStation 5
This is the easiest and usually the most common way to solve a PS5 that won’t turn on. This can also be used to fix a PS5 that’s stuck in rest mode.
- Hold down the power button. You’ll hear a beep and then after a few seconds, a second beep.
- After the second beep, unplug everything that’s plugged into the device – power, HDMI, any USB devices
- Leave everything unplugged for at least a minute
- Reconnect the power and HDMI cables and see if your PS5 turns on
- Optional – if it does turn on, plug in your other devices (anything connected by USB) one by one and make sure they don’t interfere with the device
If you’re holding down the power button and aren’t hearing any beeps, try just skipping to step two and unplugging everything for a few minutes.
If this doesn’t work, try it again but this time start by pressing the power button several times in a row before holding it down. It might be a sticky button causing issues.
Try inserting a disc
If you’ve got a PlayStation 5 with a disc drive, this is an easy method to try and get the console to turn on. Simply grab a compatible disc (a game, a Blu-Ray, or a DVD – CDs won’t work) and slowly insert the disc into the drive slot. This can sometimes work to ‘wake up’ a PlayStation 5, triggering it to draw in the disc and making it turn on.
Restart from safe mode
You’ll need a cable to connect a controller to your device to try this method.
- Hold down the power button. You’ll hear a beep and then after a few seconds, a second beep
- Connect the controller with the cable and press the PS5 button. This should launch the console into safe mode
- Select the option to Restart your PS5
Force a system update
This method also requires a controller and a cable.
- Hold down the power button. You’ll hear a beep and then after a few seconds, a second beep
- Connect the controller with the cable and press the PS5 button. This should launch the console into safe mode
- Select the ‘Update System Software’ option
Clear the software cache
This method also requires a controller and a cable.
- Hold down the power button. You’ll hear a beep and then after a few seconds, a second beep
- Connect the controller with the cable and press the PS5 button. This should launch the console into safe mode
- Select the ‘Clear Cache and Rebuild Database’ option
- Go through each of the steps of clearing the cache and then rebuilding the database. This could take a bit of time to do
Resetting your PlayStation 5
This is something of a last resort because it will completely restore your PS5 to factory settings, erasing your data and starting the device from scratch. We recommend frequently backing up to the cloud to make sure you don’t lose everything if it comes to this.
This method also requires a controller and a cable.
- Hold down the power button. You’ll hear a beep and then after a few seconds, a second beep
- Connect the controller with the cable and press the PS5 button. This should launch the console into safe mode
- Select the ‘Reset PS5’ option. It will take some time to process resetting the device
If this doesn’t work, try repeating the steps but instead choosing ‘Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software)’. This will take even longer but it’s a complete blank slate wiping of the console.
PS5 won’t tun on hardware fixes
Sometimes a software solution won’t do the job, especially if you’ve got a problem with your display set up and can’t see anything on the screen for example. Here are the top hardware fixes for a PS5 that won’t turn on.
Plug your PS5 directly into the wall
If you’ve got your PlayStation 5 plugged into an extension, there’s a chance that any issues with the extension could cause lag or crashes, or even stop your PS5 from turning on, even if it’s working for other devices. Make sure your PS5 is plugged directly into the wall. For added safety, get a surge protector for the device to stabilize the power to the device.
Make super certain that the wall outlet is functioning correctly – plugging a lamp or something with immediate feedback is an easy way to do this.
HDMI cable fixes
Try plugging your PS5 into a different HDMI port on your TV. If that doesn’t work, try turning your HDMI cable around, so the end that was in the TV is now in the PS5 and vice versa.
Clean the inside of the console
It’s possible to open the casing of the PS5 in order to clean it out. It’s definitely a little intimidating, but it’s worth doing, especially if you’re having issues with your PS5 overheating.
Get new cables
Sometimes, your cables are just worn out or damaged. If it’s a dodgy power cable it can be quite dangerous for yourself and your console, so if you notice any damage to it, replace it immediately.
However, sometimes wear and tear or damage isn’t visible to the naked eye and you just need to take a chance on a new cable.
The easiest way to tell is if you happen to have another cable of the same kind in your home. You can test out whether your PS5 works with a different cable – if it does, you know the cable is the issue and can replace the problem.
If nothing works
If none of these solutions help you solve your PS5 problems, you might need to contact Sony for a repair or return. The way to do this varies slightly from location to location, but you can get started here if you’re a UK user and here if you’re a US user.
Alternatively, we’re just weeks away from the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro. If your PS5 has stopped working after years of gaming, it might be time for an upgrade if you can afford the hefty price tag.
