PS4: The Most Common Console Problems & How to Fix Them

So you have a brand spanking new PlayStation 4 in the crib with you now.

Your and your buddies marvel at the sweet visuals that games like Killzone: Second Son, Knack and inFamous Second Son showcase. We’re pretty sure that you’d like your PS4 to last several years beyond its launch date, which is why we’re going to make sure you know about the console’s most common hardware/software issues and what it takes to fix them.

Fixya, one of the leading product Q&A destinations for web and mobile, listed the most common problems they’re always getting troubleshooting requests for:

1. Console Turning Off —35%
2. No Audio/Video – 25%
3. Freezing – 20%
4. Disc Drive – 10%
5. Other – 10%

Fixya also noticed one major trend that PS4 users are experiencing as the most common tech issue users run into:

Among audio and visual problems, PlayStation 4 owners are having “blue light of death” issues where the normally white and solid console light blinks red or blue – a signal that your console will soon be shutting down unprovoked.

It’s time to make sure you’re aware of the PS4’s biggest tech issues and what it takes to get them fixed.

Console Turning Off

Fixya users have reported issues with their PlayStation 4 turning off unexpectedly during the course of game play and in other situations, like not turning on at all when prompted. This issue can be caused by a wide variety of symptoms associated with the end result, but by and large can be summarized with two main indicators—the PlayStation 4 will either display a blinking blue light or a blinking red light in the center of the console (where functioning devices will display a white indicator light). Whether you have a blue or red light that is blinking, the console is unable to be used and may require being sent into Sony for repairs or replacement in order to get it working properly again.

However, there are some steps users can take before reaching out to Sony. For issues with a console turning off suddenly, here are the options:

– Examine your HDMI cable and/or the HDMI ports on your television for any issues, as sometimes the PlayStation 4 will show an error result despite the issue not being a result of the console malfunctioning.
– Reset your PlayStation 4 by turning it off for two minutes, unplugging all of the cords associated with the device, and then plugging it back in. Before plugging it back in, users can also carefully open the hard drive to see if there is any issues with the disc drive that are causing the problem.
– Put the system in a more open area with proper ventilation. Place a fan next to the system in order to reduce heat. Ensure that the internal fan is running properly – you should hear it while the console is running.
– Contact Sony customer service and discuss the issues with them.

Head to the next page to figure out how to fix your PS4 when there’s no audio/video coming from your console!

No Audio/Video

Some users have reported issues with the audio or video functionality with their PlayStation 4. These issues manifest themselves in three primary ways: the audio not working (video is visible), video not working (audio is able to be heard), or the rare symptom of both the audio and video both not working.

For any issues with the audio/video performance of your PlayStation 4, please run through the following steps:

– Check if your PlayStation 4 is experiencing a blinking red or blue indicator light. If it is, please run through the troubleshooting steps for that issue (found above in this report).
– Via the settings menu on your PlayStation 4 homescreen, ensure that all of the audio and video options for your PlayStation 4 are up to date and what you need for your specific purposes and television.
– A short-term fix for any audio issues can be to use headphones to listen to any audio—sometimes audio can still be heard through headphones though not your television.
– Examine your HDMI cable and/or the HDMI ports on your television for any issues, as sometimes the PlayStation 4 will not display audio or video despite the issue not being a result of the console malfunctioning.
– Check the HDMI port on your PlayStation 4 for any issues—similar to the above troubleshooting step, an issue with your console’s HDMI port can cause problems with the device.
– Replace your HDMI cable to check to see if the issue is with your HDMI cable and that the issue is not with your console or television.
– Update your PlayStation 4’s firmware and software via any available online updates.
– Contact Sony customer service and discuss the issues with them.

Head to the next page to learn about how to fix the PS4’s freezing issue!

Freezing

Users of any electronic device have inevitably had to deal with their device freezing every once in awhile and needing to be rebooted, and is not necessarily a deal-breaking issue if it happens rarely and does not happen often. However, some PlayStation 4 users have encountered a trend of their console freezing at inopportune times, specifically when updating their device via the PlayStation Network and using their device to play games or consume media.

Obviously freezing can be a huge inconvenience, but thankfully it appears to be one of the more manageable issues compared to other maladies with the PlayStation 4. For issues with your PlayStation 4 freezing, users can go through the following steps:

– Download any software or firmware updates via the PlayStation Network, which can be accessed from your console’s home screen.
– If your console is freezing while accessing the PlayStation Network to download any updates, visit the Sony Support site and download the updates to your computer there, then transfer them via a USB connection that plugs directly into your console.
– Reset your PlayStation 4 by turning it off for two minutes, unplugging all of the cords associated with the device, and then plugging it back in.
– Put the system in a more open area with proper ventilation, place a fan next to the system in order to reduce heat, and ensure that the internal fan is running properly—you should hear it while the console is running. If your console is overheating, make sure to let it rest for at least two hours before trying to boot it up again.
– Contact Sony customer service and discuss the issues with them.