How to fix common problems with your PS5 (step by step)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to fix common problems with your PlayStation 5.


Fix: PS5 stuck in safe mode


Solution 1

  1. Shut down your PlayStation 5 by pressing and holding the power button on your PS5 until you hear a beep.
  2. Remove the power cable of your PS5 console.
  3. Wait for 20 minutes.
  4. Reconnect the power cable to your PS5 console.
  5. Press the power button on your PlayStation 5 to turn it on.

Solution 2: Update system software

  1. Shut down your PlayStation 5 by pressing and holding the power button on your PS5 until you hear a beep.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your PS5 using the USB cable.
    PS5 safe mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on PS5 controller
  5. Select the Update System Software option.
    Update System Software option in PS5 Safe Mode
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Update Using Internet option.
    Update Using Internet
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the Update button.
    Update system software on PS5
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller

If there's an update, your PS5 will update the system software and automatically restart. Your PS5 might restart two times. Just wait until you see the login screen.

PS5 system software update
PS5 system software update

Solution 3: Clear System software cache

  1. Shut down your PlayStation 5 by pressing and holding the power button on your PS5 until you hear a beep.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Clear System Software Cache option.
    Clear system software cache on a PlayStation 5
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the OK button.
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller

Your PS5 will now clear the system software cache.

Clearing the cache will not delete your games, saved data, or other essential files.


Solution 4: Rebuild the database

  1. Shut down your PlayStation 5 by pressing and holding the power button on your PS5 until you hear a beep.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Rebuild Database option.
    Rebuild database on a PS5
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the OK button.
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller

Your PS5 will now rebuild the database.

This process will not delete your games, saved data, or other essential files.


Solution 5: Reset

If none of the solutions work for you, then the last solution you can try is the Reset option.

The Reset option deletes all data on your PlayStation 5. This option should be the last step when troubleshooting.

Steps

  1. Shut down your PlayStation 5 by pressing and holding the power button on your PS5 until you hear a beep.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Reset option.
    Reset PS5
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Follow the on-screen steps to reset your PS5.

Fix: Padlock icon next to a game

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open Users and Accounts.
    PlayStation 5 Users and Accounts
  3. Select Other.
    PS5 Other settings
  4. Click Restore Licenses.
    PS5 Restore Licenses
  5. Select the games from which you want to restore their licenses.
    Select games
  6. Click Restore.
    PS5 Restore button
  7. When the restoring licenses process is complete, you click OK.
    PS5 Licenses restored

Fix: PS5 asking to buy a game again

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open Users and Accounts.
    PlayStation 5 Users and Accounts
  3. Select Other.
    PS5 Other settings
  4. Click Restore Licenses.
    PS5 Restore Licenses
  5. Select the games from which you want to restore their licenses.
    Select games
  6. Click Restore.
    PS5 Restore button
  7. When the restoring licenses process is complete, you click OK.
    PS5 Licenses restored

Fix: Deleted game on the home screen


Solution 1: Restore licenses

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open Users and Accounts.
    PlayStation 5 Users and Accounts
  3. Select Other.
    PS5 Other settings
  4. Click Restore Licenses.
    PS5 Restore Licenses
  5. Select the games from which you want to restore their licenses.
    Select games
  6. Click Restore.
    PS5 Restore button
  7. Your PlayStation 5 will now restore licenses. When the process is complete, you click OK.
    PS5 Licenses restored

Solution 2: Rebuild database

Note: Rebuilding the database will not delete anything.

  1. Turn off your PlayStation 5.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Rebuild Database option.
    Rebuild database on a PS5
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the OK button.
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller

Your PS5 will now rebuild the database.

This process will not delete your games, saved data, or other essential files.


Fix: Can't find purchased game in the PS5 library

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open Users and Accounts.
    PlayStation 5 Users and Accounts
  3. Select Other.
    PS5 Other settings
  4. Click Restore Licenses.
    PS5 Restore Licenses
  5. Select the games from which you want to restore their licenses.
    Select games
  6. Click Restore.
    PS5 Restore button
  7. When the restoring licenses process is complete, you click OK.
    PS5 Licenses restored

Fix: PS5 turns on with TV

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open System.
    Open System settings on the PlayStation 5
  3. Select HDMI.
    Open HDMI settings on the PlayStation 5
  4. Select Enable HDMI Device Link.
    Disable HDMI Device Link on the PlayStation 5
  5. Press the X button on your controller to turn Enable HDMI Device Link off.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
    Disable HDMI Device Link on the PlayStation 5

Fix: PS5 is going into rest mode by itself

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open System.
    Open PlayStation 5 system settings
  3. Select Power Saving.
    Open PlayStation 5 power saving settings
  4. Click Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode.
    Open PlayStation 5 rest mode settings
  5. Click During Media Playback.
    PlayStation 5 rest mode setting During Media Playback
  6. Select Don't Put in Rest Mode.
    Disable Rest Mode for media playback
  7. Click While Playing Games.
    PlayStation 5 rest mode setting While Playing Games
  8. Select Don't Put in Rest Mode.
    Disable Rest Mode for game play
  9. Go back to System settings.
  10. Select HDMI.
    Open PlayStation 5 HDMI settings
  11. Turn off the Enable HDMI Device Link option.
    Disable HDMI Device Link

Fix: Can't start a game on PS5


Solution 1: Restore licenses

  1. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  2. Open Users and Accounts.
    PlayStation 5 Users and Accounts
  3. Select Other.
    PS5 Other settings
  4. Click Restore Licenses.
    PS5 Restore Licenses
  5. Select the games from which you want to restore their licenses.
    Select games
  6. Click Restore.
    PS5 Restore button
  7. Your PlayStation 5 will now restore licenses. When the process is complete, you click OK.
    PS5 Licenses restored

Solution 2: Delete and reinstall

  1. Select the game you want to delete.
    Select a game
  2. Press the options button on your controller.
    Options button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  3. Select Delete.
    Select Delete
  4. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. On the 'Delete' screen, you select the OK button.
    Delete a game on the PS5
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Once the game is deleted, you go to Game Library.
  8. Select Your Collection.
  9. Find the game and download and install it again.

Solution 3: Clean the disc

If you're using the disc version of a game and the disc has fingerprints or smudges on it, clean it using a soft cotton or microfiber cloth and some water. WARNING: Do NOT use soap, window cleaners, or any other cleaning agent to clean the disc.

  1. Take out the disc.
  2. Clean the disc using a soft cotton or microfiber cloth and some water. WARNING: Do NOT use soap, window cleaners, or any other cleaning agent to clean the disc.
  3. Insert the disc back into your PS5 console.

Solution 4: Clear the cache

  1. Turn off your PlayStation 5.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Clear System Software Cache option.
    Clear system software cache on a PlayStation 5
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the OK button.
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller

Your PS5 will now clear the system software cache.

Clearing the cache will not delete your games, saved data, or other essential files.


Solution 5: Rebuild the database

  1. Turn off your PlayStation 5.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Rebuild Database option.
    Rebuild database on a PS5
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the OK button.
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller

Your PS5 will now rebuild the database.

This process will not delete your games, saved data, or other essential files.


Fix: Games crashing or not loading on the PS5

  1. Turn your PlayStation 5 off.
  2. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  3. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  4. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  5. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  6. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  7. Select the Clear System Software Cache option.
    Clear system software cache on a PlayStation 5
  8. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  9. Select the OK button.
  10. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  11. Your PS5 will now clear the system software cache. Wait till the process is complete. Your PS5 will restart itself after the process is complete.
  12. Turn your PlayStation 5 off again.
  13. Press the power button on your PS5 console and hold it for 6 to 8 seconds until you hear a second beep.
    PlayStation 5 power button
  14. When you see the 'Safe Mode' screen, connect your controller to your console using the USB cable.
    PlayStation 5 Safe Mode
  15. Press the PS button (PlayStation logo) on your controller.
    PS button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  16. Select the Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
    Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option
  17. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  18. Select the Rebuild Database option.
    Rebuild database on a PS5
  19. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  20. Select the OK button.
  21. Press the X button on your controller.
    X button on a PlayStation 5 controller
  22. Your PS5 will now rebuild the database. Wait till the process is complete. Your PS5 will restart itself after the process is complete.
  23. Open settings.
    Open PlayStation 5 settings
  24. Open Users and Accounts.
    PlayStation 5 Users and Accounts
  25. Select Other.
    PS5 Other settings
  26. Click Restore Licenses.
    PS5 Restore Licenses
  27. Select the games from which you want to restore their licenses.
    Select games
  28. Click Restore.
    PS5 Restore button
  29. Your PlayStation 5 will now restore licenses. When the process is complete, you click OK.
    PS5 Licenses restored

PlayStation 5

Related:

PS5 stuck in safe mode? Here's how to fix it!

Problems with your PS5? Or is it slow? Rebuild the database!

How to clear the cache on your PS5 (step by step)

How to restore licenses on your PS5 (step by step)

How to remove deleted games from the home screen on your PS5

How to stop your PS5 from turning on and off with your TV

PS5 going into rest mode by itself? Here's how to stop it!

References:

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/cannot-start-playstation-safe-mode/

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/safe-mode-playstation/

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/reinstall-playstation-system-software-safe-mode/