Why Your PS5 Keeps Crashing And How You Can Fix It
By QUINA BATERNA
Tech - News
Whether there's a problem with the game you're playing, the controller, or the console itself, a frozen PS5 can ruin your weekend and cause a lot of headaches. Thankfully, most of these issues can be easily addressed in just a few minutes using a bit of troubleshooting and Sony's official support documents.
First, check your game for updates to rule out that the problem isn’t with your actual console. From the home screen, scroll over and highlight the crashing game, press Options > Check For Update, and install any that might be available. If the issues occurred after an update, you can roll it back by uninstalling and then reinstalling the game, or wait for the developer to announce a patch.
Next, make sure you’re not missing any firmware updates, which Sony releases frequently to address security threats and to fix bugs that may correct crashing issues. Select the gear icon in the top right corner, then System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software, and select an update if it’s available to start the installation process.
If your PS5 is having trouble installing the latest firmware update for whatever reason, you can either restart the update to try again or download the update to a USB drive and manually install it on the console. If the latter process fails as well, you may need to factory reset the console and then reinstall all of the software from scratch.
If you’re having controller delay issues, you can try restarting the console before connecting the DualSense controller or directly connect it to the console before the reboot using the supplied USB-C cable. If this doesn’t work, you can flip the controller over and use a paperclip to press and hold down the factory reset button for three to five seconds.
Although PS5’s Rest Mode saves power and updates games while your console isn’t in use, it can cause crashes. To disable the feature, click on the gear icon, select System, click on Power Saving, select Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode, and then choose Don’t Put in Rest Mode. Without Rest Mode, it’s recommended that you turn the console off completely after each use.
If all else fails, go to the PlayStation Repair Support page, select PlayStation 5, and “Power and system crash” to get it serviced. The warranty period will eventually end, so it's best to let Sony know right away if you encounter issues that you can't solve from the comforts of your home.