Even though the PlayStation 4 is still very popular, people who already have one may be thinking if they should switch to the PlayStation 5. But if you do decide to sell your old PS4 or get rid of it for some other reason, you should definitely do a factory restart first.
A factory restart deletes all of your data from the device, making it ready for someone else to use. It can also help fix issues with the PS4.
To restart your PS4, you can do one of two things:
- From the PlayStation 4’s home screen
- From Safe Mode on the PS4
On this page, we’ll talk about both ways. Please find out how to return your PlayStation 4 to its original settings by reading on. Please read our post on how to factory reset a PS5 if you want to know how to reset a newer system.
How to factory reset your PS4
This section will go into more depth about each step, but for now, here’s how to use your PS4’s dashboard to factory reset it:
- Pick up your phone and go to settings.
- Once you’ve done that, click “Yes” on the next screen.
- Log in again and go back to the settings.
- From the Tools menu. Pick up on Initialization.
- Choose to “Initialize PS4”. It could take up to two hours to fully restart.
A factory reset is usually only done as a last option to make sure the system works. It’s important to remember to back up any saved data you may have before you start the factory restart process. If you restart the PlayStation to factory settings, all of your data will be lost, and you will have to start games over if you don’t back up your saved data.
You should back up your photos, saves, and videos. You can do this by uploading them to the cloud or an external device. You’ll need a PlayStation Plus account with 100GB of storage space in order to back up your files in the cloud. If you don’t have PS Plus, you can still copy saves with a flash drive.
One thing you should know before we start is that a factory restart can delete everything on your PS4’s hard drive, including the system software. This should only be done if your PlayStation 4 freezes for no reason, like when it’s starting up, or you want to be sure that your data is gone from the system.
Here are the steps you need to take to do a factory restart on your PS4, whether you have the original model, a Slim, or a Pro:
Step 1: Find Account Management in the options menu. You should turn off the machine as your primary PlayStation 4. By marking this PS4 as yours, that setting lets you play downloaded games when you’re not online. You will have a lot of issues when you try to play your games on your new system if you don’t do this step.
Step 2: Press “Activate as Your Main PS4.” Your PS4 has probably already been turned on. If that’s the case, the Activate option will be greyed out, leaving you with only Deactivate. On the next screen, click “Yes” after selecting “Deactivate.”
Step 3: Please re-enter your login information. Next, return to the settings page to complete the process.
Step 4: In the Settings menu, scroll all the way to the bottom. There are a few more choices after you click on Initialization. We will skip the Clear Learning Dictionary for the goals of this guide. You only need to worry about the bottom two choices. There is also “Restore Default Settings” below that. Although this won’t erase your hard drive, it will reset your PS4 to factory settings and remove all of your saved settings.
The other extensive choice is Initialize PS4, which will delete everything on your hard drive that you’ve added to the console since you bought it. This includes downloaded games, saved game data, and anything else. This will make your PS4 look and work like it did when it was first delivered.
Step 5: Choose the Full wipe. Keep in mind that it will take a long time, at least two hours.
The PS4 will show you a progress bar that tells you how long the wipe will take once it’s started, but it will take even longer because it has to go through several steps. Your PS4 will be set up the same way you did the first time you turned it on after it’s done. If you want to sell it, you will give it to the buyer brand new and without any info on it.
Perform a factory reset from Safe Mode.
The PS4’s Safe Mode gives you access to the same settings menu and re-settings choices if system software or other errors are stopping you from getting to the Settings menu.
Step 1: Turn off your PS4. Could you not put it in Rest Mode? Just turn off your machine all the way so it can start up in Safe Mode.
Step 2: Two beeps will sound if you press and hold the power button. To turn on the machine, you have to press the power button by hand, not with a controller. Keep your finger on it for eight seconds. Before it starts up in Safe Mode, it will beep twice. The first time is when you press the button. It will be labelled, and its black base will help you find it.
Step 3: If you go to the Safe Mode menu on your PS4, you can restart it in three different ways. Safe Mode has a Restore Default Settings option like Settings. This will return the PS4 to its original software settings, but your data will still be there.
You can also pick Initialize PS4. This will erase your hard drive and put it back to the way it was when it was first made. However, the system software, or operating system, will be saved.
You can do a full factory reset with Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software), which is the last choice. You will have to reinstall the PS4’s operating system.
Step 4: If the software isn’t giving you any trouble, choose Initialize PS4. This will return your hard drive and program settings to the way they were when they were first made, but the operating system software will still be there. Two types of initializations are available: Quick and Full. This option in the Settings menu is identical to the one up top. You’re done if that’s all you need.
How to reinstall system software on PS4
Reinstalling system software is more challenging than a complete initialization, and it will remove all software on the machine. You’ll need to have a different device on hand to reinstall the software after this restart. If the operating system software is giving you trouble, you’ll need to choose Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software). But there’s something else you need to do first.
Step 1: Visit the PlayStation website for the latest system software (10.01). Download to your PC. You’ll need a flash drive or USB-connected portable hard disk to upgrade your PS4.
Step 2: On your USB drive, make a new folder and name it PS4. You should make a folder inside that one and name it “UPDATE” in all capital letters. That way, you can quickly get to the firmware file during the move. Put it in the “UPDATE” folder. Keep the file’s name “PS4UPDATE.PUP” when you save it.
Step 3: Start PS4 in “Safe Mode.” Follow these procedures to shut off PS4. Holding down the power button until two beeps starts Safe Mode.
Step 4: Go to your PS4 and select Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software). After that, do what your PS4 tells you to do. The machine will delete everything as you play, even the system software. Restart the system software and plug in the update-containing USB disk. After loading new files, your PS4 will reset to factory settings.
