How To Troubleshoot A Console That Won't Start In Safe Mode

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How to troubleshoot Safe Mode issues on PlayStation consoles

Learn how to resolve issues when trying to access Safe Mode on your PlayStation®5 console or PlayStation®4 console. 

• Can’t start Safe Mode
• Stuck in Safe Mode

• Start Safe Mode
• Still having issues?

Can't start Safe Mode on your PS5 console? 

If Safe Mode doesn’t launch, there might be a problem with your USB, HDMI, or power cable.

1. If your screen doesn’t display Safe Mode, it’s possible that the HDMI cable isn’t properly connected.

Set up PS5 console display

1. Try using a different USB, HDMI, or power cable.  Try to launch Safe Mode each time you change a cable to check which cable has the issue.

If Safe Mode still doesn’t launch, try power cycling your console.

1. Press and hold the power button until your console beeps. The screen goes blank, the power indicator flashes white, and then turns off.
2. Remove the power cable and leave the console for 20 minutes.
3. Reconnect and attempt to launch Safe Mode.

Start in Safe Mode PS4 console: Can't start Safe Mode

1. If your screen doesn’t display Safe Mode, it’s possible that the HDMI cable isn’t properly connected.

Set up PS4 console display

1. Try using a different USB, HDMI, or power cable. Launch Safe Mode each time you change a cable to check which cable has the issue.

If Safe Mode still doesn’t launch, try power cycling your PS4® console.

1. Press and hold the power button until your console beeps. The screen goes blank, the power indicator flashes white, and then turns off.
2. Remove the power cable and leave the console for 20 minutes.
3. Reconnect and attempt to launch Safe Mode.

Start in Safe Mode

Stuck in Safe Mode on your PS5 console?

If your console keeps starting in Safe Mode, please follow the steps below.

1. Press and hold the power button until your console beeps. The screen goes blank, the power indicator flashes white, and then turns off.
2. Remove the power cable and leave the console for 20 minutes.
3. Reconnect the power cable and press the power button to turn on the PS5 console.
4. If your PS5 console still starts in Safe Mode, go to Clear Cache and Rebuild Database > Clear System Software Cache and select OK.

PS4 console: Stuck in Safe Mode

1. Completely turn off your PS4 console by holding the power button.
2. Wait for the power light to stop flashing, then remove the power cable and leave the console for 20 minutes.
3. Reconnect the power cable and press the power button to turn on the PS4 console.
4. If your PS4 console still starts in Safe Mode, go to Rebuild Database and select OK.

For help on initializing your PS4 console, visit the guide below. 

Visit the online user’s guide for more information

Still having issues?

If you're unable to access Safe Mode, use PlayStation Repairs for further instructions and to arrange for repairs.

PlayStation Repairs

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How to troubleshoot Safe Mode issues on PlayStation consoles

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