That PS4 keeps turning off is usually caused by overheating, software malfunctions, or corrupted firmware. This article from MiniTool Partition Wizard will provide you with several effective solutions, including cleaning the vents, rebuilding the database, and replacing the thermal paste.

If you’re a PS4 player, you’ve likely encountered the “PlayStation randomly turns off” issue. So, what causes this, and how can it be resolved? Please read on.

Why PS4 Keeps Turning Off

Frequent automatic shutdowns of the PS4 are a common problem encountered by many players. Understanding the common causes of this issue is the first step in resolving it.

Below are the main causes of this problem.

  • Overheating: If the PS4 overheats, the system will automatically shut down to protect the hardware. It can also cause the plastic stand directly below the console to move, resulting in the PS4 turning off by itself.
  • Power failure: A faulty power module or damaged power cord can cause the console to lose power completely without warning.
  • Software malfunction or firmware corruption: If the system version is too old or the database files are corrupted, the PS4 may shut down unexpectedly during gameplay.
  • HDMI device connection settings: When the TV is off, or the input source is switched, the PS4’s “HDMI device connection” function may randomly turn off.
Tips:
Some users have reported that a malfunctioning PS4 cooling system or temperature sensor can also cause the console to shut down automatically.

How to Fix PS4 Randomly Turns Off

Next, a series of solutions is provided to help your PS4 return to normal as soon as possible.

Method 1: Solve the Heat Dissipation Problem

If your PS4 feels extremely hot to the touch before suddenly shutting down, or if the fan noise increases significantly, you can try the following:

  1. Clean the vents: This is the simplest method. Use compressed air to clean the vents on the sides and back of the console to effectively remove dust buildup.
  2. Improve ventilation: Place the console in an open, well-ventilated location, avoiding placing it in high-temperature environments or against a wall.
  3. Replace the thermal paste: If your PS4 has been used for many years, the thermal paste on the processor may have dried out. Replacing it will improve heat dissipation and reduce automatic shutdowns.

Method 2: Troubleshooting Power Issues

If your PS4 turns off by itself or fails to restart immediately after shutdown, it may be related to a power issue.

Here are some common solutions:

  1. Check the power cord: Completely unplug the power cord from the back of the console, then press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds. Next, reconnect all power cords to see if the console powers on normally.
  2. Try a different outlet: Plug the power cord directly into a wall outlet, instead of using a power strip or extension cord, to rule out an unstable power supply.
Note:
If the above methods still do not solve the problem, the power supply unit inside the console may be faulty. In this case, it may need to be replaced or sent for professional repair.

Method 3: Troubleshooting System Settings

The PS4 sometimes shuts down automatically due to system settings or HDMI device issues.

To avoid this, you can adjust the following two settings:

#1. Disable HDMI device connection.

Go to Settings > System and uncheck Enable HDMI Device Link. Alternatively, change the HDMI setting to automatic device detection and then reset the TV.

#2. Adjust power saving mode.

Go to the function screen and select Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Time Until PS4 Turns Off > Select Media Playback or General (Applications).

Tips:
By default, if the PS4 is inactive for a period of time, it will automatically enter standby or power-off mode. However, if an application is running (such as playing a video), the system will remain on and will not automatically shut down.

#3. Restore factory settings.

Some users have reported that restoring the PS4 to factory settings resolved the issue of random shutdowns.

Note:
Performing this operation will erase all saved settings and data on the console, so please proceed with caution.
  1. Go to the home screen and select Settings > Initialization.
  2. Choose Initialize PS4.
  3. Select Full, and then follow the on-screen prompts.

Method 4: Safe Mode Solutions

You can fix the “PS4 keeps turning off” problem by performing operations such as rebuilding the database or updating the system software.

#1. Rebuild the database.

  1. Turn off your PlayStation 4 by pressing the Power button on the front panel.
  2. The power indicator will blink for a few seconds and then turn off.
  3. Once the PlayStation 4 is off, press and hold the Power button. Release it after you hear two beeps: one when you initially press it, and another after 7 seconds.
  4. Connect your DualShock 4 controller using the included USB cable.
  5. Press the PS button on the controller to enter the Safe Mode of PS4.
  6. Select Rebuild Database from the menu.
The Safe Mode interface of PS4 with the selected Rebuild Database option.

#2. Update system software.

Corrupted or outdated system files can cause the PS4 to randomly shut down. You can update the PS4 system software in Safe Mode.

Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Format the USB to a FAT32 or exFAT file system, which is supported by PS4. You can do that via MiniTool Partition Wizard, a free partition manager.

Tips:
MiniTool Partition Wizard can not only format SD cards, but also supports formatting external hard drives, USB flash drives, solid-state drives, and other storage devices. In addition, it allows you to delete/resize/copy partitions, and recover data from SD card.

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  1. Insert your USB into your PC, and then open MiniTool Partition Wizard.
  2. Right-click the USB partition and choose Format.
  3. In the pop-up window, you can drop down the File System box and choose FAT32 or exFAT as the destination file system. Then click OK.
  4. You can preview that the USB partition’s file system is FAT32. Now you need to click the Apply > Yes button to save all changes.
MiniTool Partition Wizard interface with the Format Partition and FAT32 File System option selected.

Step 2: Open the USB drive, make a folder named PS4, and within it, create a folder called UPDATE.

Step 3: Download the PS4 console’s system software.

  1. Go to How to reinstall the PS4 console system software section on Sony’s support page and click PS4 console reinstallation file to download the console’s system software.
  2. Save the file in the UPDATE folder you created earlier.
Tips:
Don’t rename the file. It needs to be named PS4UPDATE.PUP to work.

Step 4: Reinstall the PS4 system using a USB drive.

  1. Plug the USB drive containing the file into your PS4 console.
  2. Press and hold the Power button to enter Safe Mode.
  3. Select Update System Software > Update from USB Storage Device > OK.

After updating the system software, you can restart your PS4 to check if the random shutdown issue has been resolved.

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PS4 Keeps Turning Off FAQ

1. Can a malfunctioning power button cause the PS4 to shut down?
In some cases, the PS4’s power button may become dirty or affected by static electricity, causing the device to shut down unexpectedly.
If this is the case, cleaning the power button or using an external controller to power on the device can help resolve the issue.
2. Can a faulty hard drive cause the PS4 to turn off?
If the PS4’s hard drive is damaged or malfunctioning, it may cause the system to crash and shut down automatically. You can try replacing the hard drive.
3. Will my PS4 automatically shut down if the game crashes?
Yes, your PS4 may automatically shut down if the game crashes. This is usually due to compatibility issues between the game software and system software, or it could be caused by corrupted game files or a system malfunction.
To resolve this issue, you can update the game, update the system software, or rebuild the database.
4. Can network issues cause a PS4 to shut down automatically?
In some cases, network connectivity problems can cause a PS4 to crash or disconnect, leading to an automatic shutdown.
This typically happens when the PS4 is engaged in activities such as online gaming, streaming, or downloading updates. If the network is unstable, the system may be unable to process data properly, causing a crash and automatic shutdown.
5. How to tell if your PS4 is overheating?
Here are some common signs of overheating:
1. The PS4’s body temperature rises abnormally during use.
2. The fan is very loud or constantly running at high speed.
3. The surface of the console is noticeably hot.

Bottom line

This article details the causes and solutions for PlayStation 4 random shutdowns, including cleaning the vents, replacing thermal paste, disabling HDMI connections, and restoring factory settings.

If you have any questions or suggestions while using MiniTool Partition Wizard, contact us via [email protected] for further assistance.

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About The Author

Cecilia
Cecilia

Position: Columnist

Cecilia is a new member of MiniTool. She works as an English editor on the MiniTool team. She likes to learn articles about computers and is passionate about partition management and Windows operating systems. She is committed to allowing readers to use simple, efficient, and fast methods to solve the computer problems they encounter. To provide more professional solutions, she will continue to learn and master computer knowledge.

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