Home Product SupportIdentify a code

Platform-specific support

PlayStation troubleshooting

PlayStation consoles that will not start, crash a game, run slowly online or show an error code: the restart, storage and Safe Mode checks in order.

PlayStation consoles share most fixes: restart, install system software updates, and try safe mode, which you reach by holding the power button until the second beep, to rebuild the database or restart in recovery. A console that overheats needs clear vents and space; one that will not show a picture should be tested with another HDMI cable and a different TV input.

Observed symptomPlatform controlIsolation testVerificationStop condition
Part of Consumer-product troubleshooting by exact model, symptom and code

Reviewed records

27 exact answers

Diagnose the exact device problem
PlayStation · controller

PS5 controller moves by itself or has stick drift

Drift can come from game dead-zone settings, calibration, debris, wireless interference or worn stick hardware. Test the controller in the console interface and another game.

Open record support · reviewed answer

PS5 Safe Mode options: what each recovery level can erase

Start with Restart PS5, Change Video Output, Repair Console Storage or Clear Cache/Rebuild Database as appropriate. Reset PS5 and reinstall-system-software options erase user data; confirm cloud/USB saves and account access first.

Open record PlayStation 5 · power

PS5 shuts off during games but not menus

Game-load shutdown can come from overheating, blocked ventilation, power delivery or hardware failure. Treat it differently from a software crash that returns an error screen.

Open record PlayStation · power

PlayStation console power and shutdown behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result

Open record PlayStation · power

PlayStation console power and shutdown fails with one app, game, host or connection

Open record PlayStation · power

PlayStation console power and shutdown is not working

Open record PlayStation · power

PlayStation console power and shutdown is unusually slow or delayed

Open record PlayStation · power

PlayStation console power and shutdown keeps disconnecting or working intermittently

Open record PlayStation · power

PlayStation console power and shutdown stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change

Open record PlayStation · controller

PlayStation controller analog sticks behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result

Open record PlayStation · controller

PlayStation controller analog sticks fails with one app, game, host or connection

Open record PlayStation · controller

PlayStation controller analog sticks is not working

Open record PlayStation · controller

PlayStation controller analog sticks is unusually slow or delayed

Open record PlayStation · controller

PlayStation controller analog sticks keeps disconnecting or working intermittently

Open record PlayStation · controller

PlayStation controller analog sticks stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change

Open record PlayStation · display

PlayStation HDMI video output behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result

Open record PlayStation · display

PlayStation HDMI video output fails with one app, game, host or connection

Open record PlayStation · display

PlayStation HDMI video output is not working

Open record PlayStation · display

PlayStation HDMI video output is unusually slow or delayed

Open record PlayStation · display

PlayStation HDMI video output keeps disconnecting or working intermittently

Open record PlayStation · display

PlayStation HDMI video output stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change

Open record PlayStation · storage

PlayStation storage expansion behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result

Open record PlayStation · storage

PlayStation storage expansion fails with one app, game, host or connection

Open record PlayStation · storage

PlayStation storage expansion is not working

Open record PlayStation · storage

PlayStation storage expansion is unusually slow or delayed

Open record PlayStation · storage

PlayStation storage expansion keeps disconnecting or working intermittently

Open record PlayStation · storage

PlayStation storage expansion stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change

Open record

Troubleshooting a PlayStation

The PS5's Slim, original and Pro models and the PS4 Slim and Pro differ in drives and heat. Disc problems on a model with a drive are tested with another disc, and a console without a drive has no disc symptoms. Controller issues are fixed by charging the DualSense, resetting it with the pinhole on the back and re-pairing it by USB.

How do I enter safe mode on a PlayStation?

Turn the console off, hold the power button until you hear the second beep and connect the controller by USB.