How to Fix a PS4 (PlayStation 4) Turning Off By Itself (2024)

An increasing number of PlayStation 4 users have complained about an issue in which the PS4 system turns off immediately after it is turned on – also known as the Blue Light of Death. With this issue, the console light blinks red or blue, signaling that your console will soon shut down unexpectedly. Some users have also experienced the abrupt shutdown of the device during gameplay.

There are a couple of reasons responsible for this issue. Firstly, it could stem from issues with your power connection or ports. A faulty hard drive can also cause your console to shut down suddenly. Software problems are not a new phenomenon; therefore, a bug or issue within the system software could feasibly cause the PlayStation 4 to turn itself off. Another prominent reason might pertain to faults within the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), comprised of the CPU and the GPU. These APU problems often arise when some units have been poorly soldered. Unfortunately, APUs cannot be repaired or replaced, as they are uniquely crafted for each PS4 console and are not easily sourced from the market.

This guide will show various ways to troubleshoot your PlayStation 4 to solve the sudden shutdown issue. These fixes basically include checking the power supply and hard disk, and utilizing safe mode as suggested by Sony.

Checking the Power Connection

1. Turn off the PS4 completely by pressing the power button for at least 7 seconds – it will beep twice to indicate it’s been completely turned off.
2. Disconnect the power cable of the console from your electrical outlet.
3. Check the power words and all the other cords connected to see if there is anything unusual going on. If you have any spares, you can replace your cables to verify if the problem is indeed from the power connection. You can look into the various ports to see if there’s anything clogged in there.

Checking the Hard Drive

This process consists of taking apart the device, so you’ll want to be extra cautious with this step.

1. Turn off the PS4 completely by pressing the power button for at least 7 seconds – two beeps indicate it’s been completely turned off.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet and the cable. Remove any other cable connected to the console.
3. Slide the Hard Disk Drive bay cover (the shiny part) out and away from the system to remove it.
4. Check the hard drive to ensure it’s properly seated and correctly screwed into the system. If you wish to replace it, remove the screw and swap the hard disk with a new one. Remember, you’ll need to install new system software onto the new hard disk.

Updating the System in Safe Mode

Probably, a bad update could be the cause of your problem. Installing a zero-day or day-one update may solve your problem.

1. Get a USB stick with at least 400 MB of free space. The USB must be wiped, and then you should create a folder called ‘PS4‘. Within this folder, create another one called ‘UPDATE‘.
2. Download the latest PS4 update from here and copy it over to the UPDATE folder on your flash drive.
3. Completely turn off the console, and then connect the USB stick to the PS4 through one of the forward-facing USB ports.
4. Hold the power button for at least 7 seconds, at this point the system will boot into Safe Mode.
5. In Safe Mode, select the third option, “Update System Software.” From there, you’ll be able to follow the directions with ease.

Preventing the APU Problem

It’s very likely that the cause of the Blue Light of Death is not addressed by any of the fixes described above. As I mentioned earlier, the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) of some PS4 consoles may not be properly soldered to the motherboard. This issue cannot be fixed; the only recourse is to obtain a replacement unit from Sony. Nevertheless, excessive heat is the only plausible reason for the APU to come off the motherboard. Here are a few tips to prevent the APU from detaching.

1. Make sure your console is well ventilated. Remove any objects blocking the air vents of the PS4.
2. Provide extra cooling with a standing fan or an air conditioner at all times.
3. Avoid prolonged use of the console. Put it to sleep after hours of excessive use.

Checking Power Issues

Another possible reason your PS4 might be turning off could be due to inadequate power or issues with power management. We’ve come across numerous cases where, because of many other appliances connected to the same power outlet, the PS4 was not receiving its necessary power requirements.

Try connecting the PS4 to an individual outlet where no other appliances are connected, and then turn it on. If this solves the problem, consider separating the PS4’s power source from other appliances.

There might also be a case where the power in your home isn’t consistent. Occasional power surges could disrupt the power cycle of the PS4 and cause it to shut down. In this case, try connecting the console in another house to see if the issue persists. If it doesn’t, consider having your power supply checked.

Note: Another case where your PS4 might turn off is when another appliance or light switch gets turned on. This might cause a temporary influx which causes the PS4 to shut down.

Checking Multiple Connectors

Multi-connectors are getting increasingly common nowadays. These allow the user to connect the PS4 along with other modules which also require an HDMI port. If there is any activity from the other module when the PS4 is still running, it might cause it to turn off.

Here is a potential solution: try plugging the PS4 in directly, instead of using connectors, to see if that resolves the issue. Additionally, try isolating the PS4 from the screen/TV.

If you have connected a USB cable on the front-port, consider removing it. Sometimes, if the internal connectivity of the PS4 is not good, any activity from the port can cause the console to shut down.

Switching to Cable Internet

Wi-Fi modules are known to cause power fluctuations in consoles as well as computers. If there is a short circuit in the module, it will cause an influx and force the PS4 to shut down permanently. In this scenario, consider switching to cable internet.

There is a power cable at the back of your PS4. If you don’t have cable internet access, you can easily use a LAN cable to connect your router to your PS4. If the PS4 runs steadily on LAN internet, avoid using a Wi-Fi connection.

Note: You can also disable your Internet completely to test this solution.

Checking for Hardware Problems

If none of the above workarounds work for you, consider getting your PS4 checked for hardware problems. There might be numerous possibilities including a defecting PSU unit or your PS4 overheating.

There are also instances of people reporting that the console shuts down whenever their PS4 heats up, likely because of faulty joints in the system. An additional issue is the overheating triggering the thermal on-off switch.

It is recommended that you do not attempt to check for hardware problems yourself; take it to a nearby Sony service center.