A PS4 that will not turn on is read from its power indicator, which Sony uses for both the PS4 and the PS5: white when on, blue turning to white when starting, orange in rest mode, pulsing red when the PS4 is overheating, and blinking white or a blue that never settles when the console is frozen. The first fix is Sony's own: unplug the console, wait three minutes and start it again, and if it still sticks, reinstall the system software from Safe Mode. A PS4 that shuts off immediately, or pulses red, is a ventilation or repair matter.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 4 (Slim and Pro) will not turn on”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The PS4 is in rest mode, not off
What separates it The light is orange and the controller charges over USB, but the screen shows nothing
How to confirm Press the PS button on a paired controller or the power button; the indicator should blink blue and turn white
- 2
A frozen console that never finishes starting
What separates it The light blinks white or stays blue and no logo appears
How to confirm Unplug it, wait three minutes, plug it back in and start it, as Sony says; if the same light returns, use Safe Mode
- 3
The console overheated and stopped
What separates it The light pulses red and the console feels very hot with the fan roaring
How to confirm Turn it off, wait until it has cooled, move it somewhere ventilated and check the vents are not blocked
- 4
No power reaching the console
What separates it There is no light at all and the outlet or cord may be at fault
How to confirm Push the power cable fully into the AC IN port, and try a different wall outlet without a strip
- 5
Damaged system software after an interrupted update
What separates it The console sits on blue or restarts repeatedly after an update was cut off
How to confirm Start Safe Mode by holding the power button until the second beep and update the system software; Sony warns that reinstalling deletes everything
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The color and pattern of the power indicator: white, blue, orange or pulsing red
- The PS4 series from the model number: CUH-2000 series (Slim) or CUH-7000 series (Pro)
- What happened before it failed: an update, a power cut, a hot room or a fall
- Whether the console turns on but shows no picture, which is a different page
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedRead the power indicator
ReversibleLook at the light on the front of the console. White means on, blue turning to white means starting, orange means rest mode and pulsing red means the PS4 is overheating. Blinking white or steady blue means it is frozen. Write down what you see.
Wake it from rest mode
ReversibleIf the light is orange, press the PS button on a paired controller or press the power button. Sony says the console can charge controllers and download in rest mode, so orange with a blank screen is not dead.
Unplug for three minutes
ReversiblePull the power cable from the console, wait three minutes, plug it back in and start it. Sony gives this as the first step for a console that only blinks white or stays on blue.
Cool it if the light pulses red
ReversibleTurn the PS4 off, wait until it cools down, move it to a well-ventilated place and check that the vents are not blocked. Sony says to visit repairs if the problem continues.
Check the power cable and outlet
ReversiblePush the power cable into the AC IN port on the back until it is fully seated, and plug it straight into a wall outlet that you know works.
Start Safe Mode
ReversibleTurn the console off, hold the power button and release it after the second beep, connect the controller with a USB cable and press the PS button. From there Update System Software or Restore Default Settings can repair a console stuck on blue.
Reinstall only as a last resort
ReversibleInitialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software) in Safe Mode deletes all information on the console. Back up first if the console runs at all, and use Sony's reinstallation file from a USB drive.
Find the model number for support
ReversibleOn CUH-1000 to CUH-1200 models the model number is on the back near the bottom; on the CUH-2000 series it is on the spine right of the power port; on the CUH-7000 Pro it is on the spine above the ports. The serial number is 11 characters.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- PS4 Slim (CUH-2000 series)
- The smaller standard PS4 with a 500GB or 1TB hard drive. Sony says its model number is on the spine to the right of the power port and its serial number is under the lip above the power port.
- PS4 Pro (CUH-7000 series)
- The enhanced PS4 with a 1TB hard drive. Sony says its serial number is under the top lip opposite the ports and its model number is on the spine above the ports. It needs a Premium HDMI cable for 4K.
- Older models
- CUH-1000, CUH-1100 and CUH-1200 consoles print the model number on the back near the bottom; these are covered by the same power indicator meanings.
- Tools and supplies
- A flashlight to check the vents, a soft brush, a USB cable for the controller and a towel to rest the console on. No screwdriver is needed for these checks. When you contact Sony, give the model number and the 11-character serial number, not a part number.
- Repair cost
- For this fault a PS4 power fault is quoted after diagnosis, and the HDMI port is the repair shops price most often, at $80 to $150.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the PlayStation 4 Pro.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the console shuts off within seconds of starting, or the light pulses red again after cooling, contact PlayStation Repairs
- !If you smell burning or see smoke, unplug the console immediately and do not switch it on again
- !If Safe Mode will not start after two attempts with the controller on the USB cable, contact Sony with the model number
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Sony writes the indicator article for the PS5 and the PS4 together and marks the pulsing red as PS4-only. Sony does not give an operating temperature range for the PS4, so this page does not either.
Sony's color-by-color list including the PS4's pulsing red.
How to start Safe Mode and the PS4 options list.
Where each PS4 series prints its numbers.
Exact questions
Common questions
What do the PS4 power light colors mean?+
Sony lists them: white is on, blue then white is starting, blinking white or steady blue is frozen, orange is rest mode, pulsing red on the PS4 means overheating and no color means off.
My PS4 light pulses red. What now?+
Sony says it is overheating. Turn it off, let it cool, move it somewhere ventilated and check the vents are not blocked. If it keeps happening, contact PlayStation Repairs.
How long should I leave the PS4 unplugged?+
Three minutes, according to Sony's guidance for a console whose light only blinks white or stays blue.
Does Safe Mode delete my saves?+
Not all options do. Restore Default Settings keeps games, apps and saved data, while Initialize PS4 deletes everything, so read each option first.
Is the Slim different from the Pro for power problems?+
The indicator and steps are the same. The Pro (CUH-7000 series) is larger and draws more power, but the fixes do not change.
Where do I find the PS4 model and serial number?+
On the back of the console. Sony's article says the location differs by series: CUH-20xx shows the model number on the spine right of the power port, the Pro shows it on the spine above the ports.
Can I fix the power supply myself?+
No. The power supply is inside the console and Sony directs power faults to its repair service.
Why is the light orange but the screen blank?+
The PS4 is in rest mode. Wake it with the PS button on a controller or the power button.