PS5 console won’t turn on? How to fix it

Overheating, software issues, and defective power cables are common reasons your PS5 console refuses to come on.

In this article, we will be discussing 10 troubleshooting steps to bring your PS5 back to life. These solutions apply to both standard and digital editions.

How to fix your PS5 not turning on?

Try these troubleshooting steps till you can power on your PS5 console:

1. Inspect the power source

First things first, inspect the electric socket, power outlet, power strip, or surge protector to verify if it is powered on. If the power source doesn’t have a light switch, connect to a different power source with a light switch to be sure it works, and try turning it on.

If it has a light switch that doesn’t come on, your wall socket is faulty and won’t be able to power on your PS5 and other devices. Reach out to an electrician to get the wall socket repaired or replaced. You can also power your PS5 from another wall socket entirely, as it could be a power cord issue.

2. Use PS5 controller

If your PS5 does not come on when you press your console’s power button, it could be defective. You will have to power on your PS5 console using another method.

We recommend using the PS5 DualSense controller to turn on your console. To do this, press the PS button in the middle of the DualSense controller. This will wake up your PS5 and start-up as normal.

3.  Power cycle the PS5

The usual thing that happens when you turn on your PS5 is that the indicator lights will blink blue for some seconds and then change to solid white. If your indicator light keeps blinking white or blue or stays on blue, you may have to power cycle your PlayStation 5 by reconnecting the power cable.

Note that if your power cable is loose, your PS5 will not come on. Here is what you should do:

1. Hold down the power button on the console for at least 10 seconds until you hear two beeps or the power light stops flashing.
2. Unplug the power cable from the back of the console.
3. Wait for 20 minutes.
4. Plug the power cable back in and turn your PS5 back on.

Ensure that you are careful while inserting the cable into the PS5 to avoid damaging the metal pins in the port. Also, ensure the end connected to the wall outlet is firmly plugged.

4. Clean the AC port

Dirt is one thing that can hinder your PS5 from coming on. Inspect your AC port for any dirt, dust, or debris that can obstruct the power supply. Before that, ensure to unplug the power cable.

If you discover dirt, here is how you can take it out;

1. Get an angled tweezer, a plastic toothpick, or a soft toothbrush.
2. Gently insert it into the port and clean your PS5. Do not use any liquid material or water to clean out grime, gunk, and stubborn dirt.
3. If you have a can of compressed air, it can help you take out the dirt quickly.

Also, check that the power cable of the connecting end is clean. Finally, check that the power plug connected to the wall outlet is clean.

5. Check for overheating

An overheated PS5 console could prevent your PlayStation from powering on or cause it to shut down during gameplay. Usually, when your PS5 console is overheated, you hear a whirring sound. This is from the fan inside the console is working extra hard to cool it down.

If your console is overheating and won’t turn on, this is what you should do:

• Leave to cool for a while
• Move your console from the wall, cabinet, or rug
• Put in an airy environment.
• Power on once completely cool.

Learn advanced and effective cooling measures from our comprehensive guide on how to cool down your overheating PS5.

6. Update your PS5 console

If you are running on outdated system software, your PS5 will cease to function at optimal capacity and may cause you to experience various issues, including PS5 not coming on. Here is how to update your PlayStation 5 that won’t power on:

1. Hold the power button until the second beep, and then release the power button.
2. On the controller, press the PS button to enter PS5 Safe Mode.
3. Once in Safe Mode, you’ll see multiple options, including Restart PS5 and Update System Software. Select Update System Software.

If the update fails, you can try a manual update. However, note that if a system software update gets stuck, you might need to reinstall the system software on your PS5 console (perform a factory reset), which will delete all of the data on your PS5 console.

7. Force reboot the PlayStation 5

Every once in a while, Play Station 5 gets stuck in rest mode and automatically powers off your PS in the bid to ‘rest.’ When that happens, the best way to get the console back on is to force-start it.

To do that, hold the power button (10-15 seconds there about) until your console restarts. Note that when you force-start your PS5, you will lose every game data or unsaved setting.

8. Restore and reset PS5 console

If, after trying all the troubleshooting, nothing seems to work. Restore your PS5 to factory default. Restoring the default setting won’t delete any game or file on your console.

If your PS comes on but displays a black screen, then enter the safe mode and perform a system reset:

1. Unplug your console from the wall outlet, wait for 1 minute, then plug it back in.
2. Turn off your console by holding the power button for 3 seconds.
3. Press and hold the power button, releasing your finger only after the second beep sound. This should take about 7 seconds.
4. Your console will start in Safe Mode.
5. Using a USB, plug your DualSense controller into the console.
6. Select ‘Restore default settings’ from the safe mode menu.

If this issue persists, restart your PS5 in safe mode following the above process, but instead of selecting ‘restore default setting’:

• Select ‘Reset your console.’
• Select ‘Yes.’

Note that all your data and configuration will be deleted.

9. Repair and replace PS5

If your PS5 console is warranty-eligible, contact PlayStation customer support to have your PS5 repaired or replaced at a reduced or no cost at all.

You could also contact the store where you purchased the PS5 if they can help. Before sending your PS5 for repair or replacement, ensure to remove your game disc or USB.

PS5 not turning on after the white light? Here’s what to do

If your PlayStation 5 (PS5) is not turning on and the white light is on, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Power supply issues: Check the PS power cable for damage and ensure it is correctly plugged. We recommend unplugging the power cable, waiting at least a minute, and then plugging it back into the PS5. If the PS5 white power light blinks, then perform a power cycle (steps above).
2. Power outlet issues: Ensure the PS5 is plugged into a wall outlet. Try a different power cord or plug a different device into the wall outlet to ensure the wall outlet works.
3. Display issues: Check that the HDMI cable is connected correctly between the PS5 and the TV. If your TV works with another device, then it’s time to try a new HDMI cable.
4. Overheating Problems: Ensure your console has proper ventilation. Poor ventilation can cause the PS5 console to overheat, turn off unexpectedly, and not turn on.

If none of these steps work, it is possible you need to replace the power supply with a new one. Remember to follow general electrostatic discharge (ESD) safety procedures while repairing the console.

FAQs

Fixing the PS5 power on issue

Let’s do a quick recap of troubleshooting steps to take when your PS5 refuses the come on.

Inspect your power source, use your PS5 controller, power cycle your PS5, clean your AC port, check for overheating, update your PS5, force reboot your PS5, or reset your PS5. As mentioned earlier, if non of these fixes work, reach out to customer support to get your PS5 repaired or replaced.

It is important to note, due to fragility, your PS5 is susceptible to various external and internal issues which ultimately cause damages that are sometimes permanent to your PlayStation. Therefore, we advise handling your PlayStation 5 with utmost care and ensure to start gaming only when the power supply is stable and strong.