PlayStation 5 (PS5) Troubleshooting Guide?
On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Technology Buyers Guide
Having trouble with your PS5No worries! Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix common PlayStation 5 issues and get you back to gaming.
1 PS5 Won’t Turn On
Problem: The PS5 is unresponsive, no lights, or won’t power up.
Solution:
Check power cable & outlet – Ensure the power cord is securely plugged in.
Try a different power outlet – Sometimes outlets can fail.
Hold the power button for 10 seconds – This forces a shutdown and restart.
Unplug the power cord for 5 minutes – Then plug it back in and try again.
Check for overheating – If the console is too hot, it may shut down.
2 PS5 Stuck in Rest Mode & Won’t Wake Up
Problem: The console stays in Rest Mode and won’t turn back on.
Solution:
Press & hold the power button for 15 seconds until you hear a second beep.
Unplug the power cord for 5 minutes, then reconnect it.
Disable Rest Mode:
- Go to Settings System Power Saving Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode Select "Don’t Put in Rest Mode".
3 No Display or No Signal on TV
Problem: The screen is black, or the PS5 isn’t displaying anything.
Solution:
Check HDMI cable & ports – Make sure the HDMI is securely connected to both the PS5 and TV.
Try a different HDMI port – Some TVs have faulty HDMI ports.
Use Safe Mode to reset video settings:
- Turn off the PS5 Hold power button for 7 seconds until you hear a second beep Connect controller via USB Select "Change Video Output" Choose "Reset Video Output".
Use a different HDMI cable (preferably HDMI 2.1 for 4K).
4 PS5 Overheating & Loud Fan Noise
Problem: The PS5 is too hot or making a loud fan noise.
Solution:
Ensure proper ventilation – Keep the PS5 in an open space, away from walls.
Clean dust from vents – Use compressed air or a soft brush.
Place the PS5 vertically – Sometimes airflow is better in this position.
Check for software updates – Some updates improve fan control.
5 PS5 Crashing, Freezing, or Lagging
Problem: The PS5 freezes during gameplay or randomly crashes.
Solution:
Restart the PS5 (Hold power button Shut down Restart).
Check for system updates (Settings System System Software Update).
Rebuild the database (Safe Mode):
- Turn off PS5 Hold power button for 7 seconds Select "Rebuild Database".
Check for overheating – If the system is hot, let it cool down.
Reinstall the game if a specific game keeps crashing.
6 PS5 Controller (DualSense) Not Connecting
Problem: The DualSense controller won’t sync or work.
Solution:
Plug the controller into the PS5 using a USB-C cable to re-sync it.
Reset the controller:
- Turn off the PS5 Press the small reset button on the back of the controller with a paperclip Reconnect via USB.
Try another USB port – Some ports may not work properly.
Check for controller updates:
- Settings Accessories Controllers Update Controller.
7 PS5 Not Reading Discs
Problem: The console won’t recognize game or Blu-ray discs.
Solution:
Insert the disc correctly – The shiny side should face the left if the PS5 is horizontal.
Clean the disc – Use a soft microfiber cloth to remove dust or smudges.
Restart the PS5 and try again.
Try another disc – If another disc works, the issue may be with the game disc itself.
Check for updates – Settings System System Software Update.
8 No Sound or Audio Issues
Problem: No sound from speakers or headphones.
Solution:
Check TV audio settings – Ensure the volume isn’t muted.
Try another HDMI cable – Some cables may not carry sound properly.
Check PS5 audio settings:
- Settings Sound Audio Output Select Correct Output Device.
Restart the PS5 – Sometimes a reboot fixes sound issues.
9 PS5 Won’t Connect to the Internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
Problem: Internet connection is slow or not working.
Solution:
Restart the router & PS5.
Move the PS5 closer to the Wi-Fi router or use an Ethernet cable.
Test internet connection:
- Settings Network Test Internet Connection.
Change DNS settings for better speed:
- Settings Network Set Up Internet Connection Choose Network Advanced Settings DNS Set to 8.8.8.8 (Primary) & 8.8.4.4 (Secondary).
PS5 Games Won’t Install or Update
Problem: A game is stuck installing or won’t update.
Solution:
Pause & Resume the download (Go to Downloads Pause Resume).
Restart the PS5 and try again.
Check storage space:
- Settings Storage Free up space if needed.
Rebuild database (Safe Mode) – This can fix corrupted files.
Try installing from a different internet connection (Hotspot or wired).
11 PS5 Error Codes & Fixes
Problem: Getting error codes on the screen.
Solution:
| Error Code | Issue | Fix |
|-----------------|-----------|---------|
| CE-108255-1 | Game crashing | Reinstall game, update system |
| NW-102308-4 | Internet issue | Restart router, check Wi-Fi settings |
| CE-100095-5 | Disc not recognized | Clean disc, insert properly |
| CE-107520-5 | Software update error | Restart & update manually |
| WS-116522-7 | PSN issue | Check PlayStation Network status |
For more error codes, visit PlayStation Support.
Final PS5 Troubleshooting Tips
Restart your PS5 – Fixes most minor issues.
Check for system & game updates – Settings System System Software Update.
Use Safe Mode options for database rebuilds & factory resets.
Ensure proper ventilation – Prevents overheating & performance drops.
Contact Sony Support if the problem continues (PlayStation Support).
