Is your PS4 turning off? From consummate gamers to casual delvers in the gaming scene, the PS4 is a popular home video game console. A solid performing device but not infallible, the PS4 has certain issues that have been reported over the years, one of which is the fact that it randomly turns off by itself.
There you are, in the middle of an intense Fortnite battle and the PS4 turns off by itself. You’re a saint if you don’t break the TV in frustration. Annoying glitches like these can ruin your day. So how do you go about fixing them so they don’t happen again? We’ve got the low down for you.
What Causes PS4 Turning Off Randomly
Before you tear the console apart looking for bugs, we need to identify what’s causing the issue in your device. Unfortunately, the cause for a PS4 turning off by itself is not easily identifiable. Here is a list of the usual suspects:
Overheating
One of the main culprits of a random shutdown is overheating. Part of the PS4 design prompts the console to switch off if the internal temperature reaches a certain point. You can see if it’s reaching the point of overheating by touching the console when there is a game disc inside. Therefore, if your PS4 feels too warm to the touch it might be overheating.
The best practice is to keep your PS4 in a cool, ventilated place to prevent it from overheating. However, we know it can be hard to control your environment’s temperature. For this, you can invest in third-party cooling stands.
Faulty Power Cables
Another reason your PS4 could be conducting random restarts is a power cable that’s internally broken down or a faulty power source. You can check this easily. Try using a different power source to check if the power source is the issue, and try a different cable with your PS4.
Defective Hard Drive
One of the reasons you might be facing this issue is a defective hard drive. If your games keep crashing, discs refuse to load, the console doesn’t boot properly, all of these are signs that your hard drive is corrupted. Moreover when the PS4 turns off by itself we assume it’s a random problem but it’s usually indicative of a hard drive issue.
Fix your PS4 turning off by itself issue
The first thing you should do with any device that gives you issues is to restart it. A reboot usually recalibrates whatever issue is occurring and the console goes back to working properly after refreshed software.
Maintain Proper Power Connections.
As we mentioned above the PS4 needs stable power to work properly. Faulty, or malfunctioning power sources or cables can cause it to turn off randomly. To check the console’s power connections do this:
- Firstly, use the PS4 Power button to shut it off completely by pressing it for a minimum of 7 seconds
- Then, disconnect the console’s power cable from the power outlet
- Use a different power cord on your PS4
- Plug the power cord in a different outlet from the one you usually use
- Lastly, avoid using an extension cord
Check if the issue still occurs.
Stop The PS4 Turning Off From Overheating
If you’ve identified that the issue is overheating then there are certain steps you can take to make sure it can cool down and function properly. Take the following steps:
- Change the location of your PS4. Make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area and not in a spot where it’s exposed to direct sunlight
- The PS4s internal fan works to keep it cool so make sure it isn’t blocked, or not functioning properly
- Try using a can of compressed air to clean and encourage the air intake of the console. It removes dust and buildup around the fan
Check the PS4 now.
Consider Checking The Hard Drive for PS4 Turning Off
The hard drive in your PS4 stores important system and game files. A corrupted hard drive prevents the PS4 from accessing these files and will cause functionality problems. To troubleshoot this issue stick to the steps below:
- Turn the PS4 off completely. Press the power button for 7 seconds at least
- To be cautious disconnect the PS4 power cable from its electrical outlet
- To access the hard drive, slide the Hard Disk Drive cover out and away from the system
- Now check the hard drive to make sure it hasn’t been knocked out of place and is properly screwed into the system
- Try to install a new hard disk to check if the old one is the cause of the problem
Check if the PS4 randomly turns off issue still occurs.
Go For A Manual Update.
An outdated software version can also be the cause of your PS4 randomly turning off problem. To make sure this isn’t a possibility you’ll need to ensure the console is functioning on the latest software version. Do the following:
- You’ll need a USB stick or external hard drive with at least 400 MB of space
- You will have to use your computer to format the USB
- Download the latest update from https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/system-updates/ps4/ and copy/paste it into a new folder in the USB
- Connect the USB to a turned-off console. Use a forward-facing port
- Hold the power button for at least 7 seconds to boot the system into Safe Mode.
- Once in the Safe Mode, you’ll be given a list of options
- Select the Update System Software option and follow the directions from there
Now check if the problem is still there.
Still facing PS4 random shut down problems?
If none of the above works you’ll need to contact the Sony service center or let a professional see your console.
Check out PS4 Error Code SU 30746 0: How To Fix Your System Software, and What Is The PS4 Blinking Blue Light?: Solutions here.
