How to Fix a PS4 That Keeps Turning off by Itself (2024)

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Clean the "on" button, check the cable connections, and check for a software update

Evan Killham

Senior Editor

University of Nebraska

Evan Killham is a Lifewire editor and writer who has been appearing all over the internet since 2009 helping people swap out hard drives or pin down an elusive feature on their Apple Watch.

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Updated on August 22, 2023

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Michael Barton Heine Jr

Reviewed byMichael Barton Heine Jr

Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.

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Causes of PlayStation 4 Turning off by Itself

The PlayStation 4 may be overheating, have corrupted firmware or weak soldering of internal components, a bad hard drive, or just dust or dirt on the switch. Follow these steps to try to fix it yourself before you start a service ticket.

How to Fix a PlayStation 4 Turning off by Itself

Because the causes are varied, so are the fixes. Try the following troubleshooting steps to see if you can get your PlayStation 4 working as it should.

Clean the "on" button. The PlayStation 4 Pro (a later model that supports 4K display resolutions) and the smaller PS4 "Slim" have physical buttons for turning on the console and ejecting discs. However, earlier versions of the console have touch-sensitive sections to perform these tasks. If they get dirt or oil on them, they can activate without your input.
Check the cable connections. If your power cable is loose, it may lose the connection. Make sure it's firmly connected to both the console and the wall outlet or power strip.
If everything seems to be working fine, you can try replacing the cord if no other suggestions work.
Give your PS4 a break. If a blinking and/or colored power light accompanies the issue, the system may be overheating. You can try unplugging it from the wall for a few minutes. Try it again with a different outlet.
Your PlayStation 4's power indicator may display a blinking red light, a blue light, or no light at all when it has this issue.
Move the console. If your PlayStation 4 is overheating, it may not have enough room to move the hot air it generates away from its interior. If it's inside an entertainment center, for example, move it out of the cubby and to a place where it has a few inches on each size to keep itself cool.
Check for a software update. If your system is turning off after you've been using it for a while and not immediately after starting it up, check to see if it needs an update by going to Settings > System Software Update > Update Now.
It's also possible that the firmware you're currently running is corrupt, and you may need to install a new one with an external drive. Use Sony's step-by-step instructions to do this.
For this and later steps, it's a good idea to back up your PS4 data before you try them.
Reset the PlayStation 4. This operation involves completely deleting the hard drive and restoring the system to the state it was in when you first set it up. Perform this on the console by going to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 and follow the prompts.
Start the PS4 in Safe Mode. If the system won't stay on long enough for you to try some of these fixes, you should give Safe Mode a try. It's a state that only runs the most necessary functions the PS4 needs to run, so it might avoid whatever's causing it to malfunction. To enter Safe Mode:
1. Turn off the console.
2. Hold the power button. You'll hear a beep when you first press it, but keep holding it until you hear another one, which will be about seven seconds later.
3. Plug in your controller and press its PS button.
Check the hard drive. An improperly seated hard drive can cause performance problems, and a faulty one can stop your console from working at all. The easiest fix is to ensure that the drive is seated firmly into place, but you may also have to replace the PS4 hard drive.
How you access your hard drive depends on which model you own:
- PlayStation 4: Slide the cover off of the top-left side of the console.
- PlayStation 4 Slim: Slide off the cover on the back of the console.
- PlayStation 4 Pro: Turn the console upside-down and remove the cover from the back.
Contact Sony. If none of these fixes work, your system may need servicing. Reach out to Sony for any additional troubleshooting solutions and to start the repair process.

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FAQs

How to Fix a PS4 That Keeps Turning off by Itself? ›

If your PlayStation 4 (PS4) is randomly powering off, follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue: Check for Overheating: Ensure the PS4 is placed in a well-ventilated area and not overheating. Clean any dust from the vents using compressed air.

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Why does my PS4 keep shutting off randomly? ›

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What to do if your PS4 is having trouble turning off? ›

Another way to solve the problem that PS4 keeps freezing and won't turn off is to press and hold the power button on the console for about 20 seconds. Please wait patiently until it is turned off completely. If the power button of your PS4 doesn't work, you should check whether the console is dirty.

Learn More Now ›

Why does my PS4 keep turning off in rest mode? ›

If your console turns off after entering Rest Mode, even though you don't turn off the console yourself, you should turn off Rest Mode, allowing you to avoid the Rest Mode bug that prevents some PS4s from turning back on. To disable Rest Mode, select Settings > Power Save Settings.

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Why is my PS4 overheating and turning off? ›

Ensure proper placement for air flow.

It may also overheat if the vents are placed too close to cabinet walls, other electronics, and any other obstructions. Try moving your PS4 to an area where it has clearance on all sides.

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How to make a PS4 stop working? ›

Turning off the power completely

Select [Power] > [Turn Off PS4] on the quick menu. Press and hold the power button for at least 7 seconds (until the system beeps twice).

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Why wont my PS4 turn on and stay on? ›

Try a different power strip or outlet.

If you're using a power strip or surge protector, it may have gone bad. Check to see if other devices work using the outlet your PS4 is connected to, and try plugging your PS4 into a different outlet. Clean the dust out of your console.

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How do I fix my PS4 power outage? ›

Unplug the power cable

To manually restart your console, follow these steps: Make sure your PS4 is completely off, with no lights turned on or flashing. Unplug the power cable from your console for at least 30 seconds. Plug the cable back in and press the power button on the front of your device to try restarting it.

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How bad is it to unplug PS4 in rest mode? ›

There are warnings on the console itself; DON'T unplug the system while the system is in yellow light or rest mode. It may not be directly damaged, but you will lose info - such as an on-going firmware update, game software update, and/or the chances of damaging the system itself.

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Is the PS4 shutting down? ›

Is Sony shutting down PS4 servers? Sony has not made any official announcement about ending support for PS4 servers. In fact, the company late last year said it may continue to make games for the PS4, even as it plans to move forward with PS5-exclusive games, Axios reported in October.

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How to reset PS4? ›

On your PS4, open the “Settings” menu. Select “Initialization.” Choose “Initialize PS4” for options on how you want to empty your system storage space. For a complete factory reset, select “Full.” This will delete everything but the operating system from your PS4.

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Why is my PS4 shutting off randomly? ›

The PlayStation 4 may be overheating, have corrupted firmware or weak soldering of internal components, a bad hard drive, or just dust or dirt on the switch.

Get More Info Here ›

How do I open my PS4 to clean it? ›

If you have a PS4 Pro or PS4 Slim, remove the bottom cover by carefully pulling on the corners until it comes loose. Then slide the cover back to remove it.

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How to clean PS4 vents? ›

Make sure your PS4 is turned off and everything is unplugged. Use the compressed air to clean out the USB ports on the front of the console, the ports on the back, and the vents along the device's side. Gently use a toothbrush or cotton swabs to remove any remaining debris.

Why does my PS4 keep randomly disconnecting? ›

Your PS4 may be too far from the router, or the connection may be interrupted by other nearby devices. There could also be a problem with your router settings or your PS4 firmware. To troubleshoot this issue, it's important to understand what's causing it and how to fix it.

Why does my PlayStation keep crashing and turning off? ›

Overheating: Extended gaming sessions generate heat, and poor heat dissipation can lead to crashes. Outdated software: Neglecting updates for system and game software may result in compatibility issues. Corrupted data: Corrupted game data or save files can destabilize games and cause crashes.

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What is PS4 Blue Light of Death? ›

The PS4 blue light of death is a common issue that some gamers might come across. It usually means you have one of the following: A software issue. A worn hard drive.