PS4 Turns on Then off [Causes and Fixes]

It will certainly test your patience or send you into a panic when you’re all set to play Bloodborne or The Witcher 3, but when you turn on your PS4, it turns off. Does it mean that your console is broken?

Well, keep on reading as we’ll discuss the possible reasons that cause your PS4 to turn on and then off! We’ll then show you 10 proven and tested troubleshooting solutions so you’ll conquer this gaming hump in no time!

Why does my PS4 turn on and then off?

Is my PlayStation possessed? Not really as several things can cause your PS4 console to turn on and then off without your input, and understanding them is what will help you find the appropriate way of fixing them.

You can refer to the most common causes we’ve listed below to better understand the reason behind your PS4’s issue. Take note that these are the most common ones and other not-so-common reasons may also take place. 

1. APU Issue

A problematic APU inside your PS4 console is one reason that will cause it to turn on and off during your playthroughs. The solder joints below the PS4 console’s APU will loosen over time, especially if it keeps running at high-temperature levels.

2. Overheating

Overheating is dangerous for your PS4 console as it can cause direct and irreparable damage to its sensitive components. Your PS4 console may turn on or off by itself once its temperature goes beyond the normal recommended level.

Take note that overheating can be a problem by itself. For instance, it can mean your cooling system is broken, an internal issue that would require attention; or it can also be a firmware issue.

As such, the biggest reason why your PS4 overheats is dust build-up. It may seem strange but all those seemingly harmless specks can cause blocked vents in your electronic device.

3. HDMI-CEC

HDMI-CEC is a useful technology that allows all connected HDMI devices to gain partial control over one another. This is a convenient way of operating multiple devices using a single remote control option.

The only problem with this feature is that it can cause you or the people around you to accidentally turn the PS4 console on or off without meaning. It’s a mighty helpful way to keep your electronics in check but it can make them also go south. 

4. Faulty Power Accessories

A problematic power supply prevents your PS4 console from running continuously, so it might turn on and then off randomly during use. It can happen due to using a faulty power cord or power outlet and having a dirty DC/IN port on your PS4.

5. Auto-Rest Mode

The PS4’s power-saving tools, such as the auto-rest mode feature, will turn the console off once it detects inactivity. It’s the reason your PS4 console will suddenly turn off if you leave it unattended, even for a short amount of time.

It’s another helpful feature that can cause technical issues. During rest mode, your PS4 is in low power mode so the fans will not be in use during the time, just like when you turn off your smart TV via remote but it’s still plugged in. 

How to Fix a PS4 That Turns On Then Off 

The solutions below have been a proven fix to a PS4 that turns on and then off while in use, depending on what caused the problem in the first place.

While you can pick a solution you think will solve the issue at hand we strongly recommend you apply them in the order they are presented. That way you don’t waste time and effort. 

FIX 1. Turn your PS4 console on via safe mode

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	6
Time to Perform Fix	5 minutes and 30 seconds
Things Needed	• A PS4 controller • A Micro USB to USB Type-A cable

The built-in safe mode function of your console is a valuable troubleshooting tool that can help you determine why your PS4 turns on then off right away. 

Booting into safe mode will turn on your PS4 console with only its most basic functions, which means that unnecessary features and programs are disabled. You can then tell if what’s causing your console to turn off is an external or internal issue.

Once your PS4 console is in safe mode, you only need to wait and see if it will continue to turn on and off by itself. If the problem persists, you may be dealing with a power supply issue that’s preventing it from powering its system and components.

Step 1: Use a Micro USB to USB Type-A cable to connect the PS4 console and controller.

Step 2: Press and hold the power button on your PS4 for about 7 seconds or until two beep sounds are made.

Step 3: Press your controller’s PS button to boot your PS4 console into Safe Mode.

Step 4: Leave your PS4 untouched for at least 5 minutes to see if it will turn on and off.

Step 5: Select 1. Restart PS4.

Step 6: Wait while your PS4 reboots its system.

After restarting your console, we wouldn’t be surprised if the issue has been dealt with. If not, you at least know that the possible culprit is the PS4 console’s faulty software or feature, so it’s much easier to understand which solutions to use.

FIX 2. Disable your PS4’s HDMI Device Link feature

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	3
Time to Perform Fix	< 30 seconds
Things Needed	A PS4 controller

Speaking of features, your PS4 console’s HDMI Device Link is one of the most likely causes of the problem at hand. This feature utilizes the HDMI-CEC technology to give connected HDMI devices partial control over your PS4 console’s functions.

It means that your PS4 console can be turned on and off using the remote control of a connected TV or monitor and vice versa. 

As such, we recommend disabling this feature. Doing so will help prevent you or anyone near your PS4 console from accidentally turning it on and off using a TV remote control. 

Step 1: Scroll up from the PS4 home screen to navigate to the control panel and scroll right to go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and click System on the console’s settings menu.

Step 3: Scroll down and uncheck the box next to Enable HDMI Device Link to disable this feature.

Once disabled, this should stop all HDMI devices connected to your PS4 console from operating it using their remote controls. However, you might need to disable the HDMI-CEC feature on these HDMI devices as a safety net.

Please note that this process will vary depending on the brand and type of HDMI device that’s connected to your PS4 console. We recommend checking online for specific guides for your HDMI device and referring to its product guide or manual.

FIX 3. Give your PS4 console time to cool down

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	1
Time to Perform Fix	40 seconds
Things Needed	• A room with good ventilation • A fan

Allowing your PS4 console to overheat while you’re playing is a recipe for disaster, and Sony knows that. As such, whenever your PS4 console starts warming up, the built-in fan should start working right away to help cool its components down.

Unfortunately, your console’s fan won’t always prevent the temperature from going even higher, especially when some factors prevent it from doing so. This includes placing your PS4 in a closed room without good airflow or covering its vents.

To combat this, Sony designed your PS4 console to shut down once its temperature reaches a critical level automatically. It’s a defense mechanism that helps prevent the components inside your PS4 console from catching fire and even exploding.

Thus, if your PS4 console suddenly turns off while you’re in the middle of a match, it’s likely the result of overheating. Keep your PS4 turned off, moving it to a room with good ventilation, and using a stand fan to cool the console down faster.

FIX 4. Disable auto Rest Mode on your PS4

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	5
Time to Perform Fix	30 seconds
Things Needed	A PS4 controller

Sometimes, your PS4 console isn’t really turning off by itself – it’s just automatically set to enter Rest Mode after a certain period. 

It’s pretty common, though, to encounter bugs where your console shuts down after entering Rest Mode. So, you should turn off this feature since it may be preventing your PS4 from turning back on.

Step 1: Scroll up from the PS4 home screen to navigate to the control panel and scroll right to go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and click Power Save Settings on the console’s settings menu.

Step 3: Select Set Time Until PS4 Turns Off.

Step 4: Select Media Playback and General (Applications) to set them to Do Not Turn Off.

Step 5: Return to the power save settings menu and select Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off to change it to Do Not Turn Off.  

FIX 5. Inspect your PS4’s port and the wall outlet

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	1
Time to Perform Fix	30 seconds
Things Needed	• A multimeter or voltmeter • A working wall outlet • A working power cord • A can of compressed air • A cotton swab

If your PS4 console is turning on and off due to power supply issues, you must inspect the port where its power cord plugs into. After all, a loose connection is a common cause of power supply issues on the PS4 console.

The same thing is true for the wall outlet where the other end of its power cord is plugged into. If the power connection is loose, unplug the PS4 console’s power cord and plug it back in securely.

You can also test the voltage from the wall outlet you’re plugging the PS4 into to ensure that it’s outputting enough electricity to power your console. If your PS4 console is from a region that uses 220V as their standard, plugging into a 110V outlet won’t cut it.

We recommend using a multimeter or voltmeter to test the voltage of every wall outlet in your household. Doing so will help you determine which ones are compatible with your PS4 console so you can switch to them whenever necessary.

Sometimes, your PS4 console’s port may also not receive sufficient power if it has layers of dirt or dust inside. This causes a blockage that will prevent the electricity from flowing into your PS4 console correctly, perhaps why it’s turning on and off.

A simple solution is to clean the port on your PS4 console by wiping it with a cotton swab. We also recommend blowing compressed air into the port so you can clean hard-to-reach spots that the cotton swab can’t clean.

FIX 6. Replace your PS4’s power cord

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	1
Time to Perform Fix	10 seconds
Things Needed	• A replacement power cord

Aside from your PS4 console’s port or the wall outlet it’s plugged into, it’s also possible that the power cord you’re using is faulty. Plus, power cords can deteriorate over use or due to physical damages such as wear and tear.

You can tell if the power cord is faulty if the PS4 “turns on then off” right away when plugged into the wall outlet, even if other devices don’t have the same issue. It could also result from an error on your console, but you should look into the cord first.

After all, the console’s power cord is easier to check and cheaper to replace in case it’s already out of order. You can purchase a replacement power cord from the same store where you got your PS4, or you can always order one online.

FIX 7. Turn your TV off before you boot the PS4

Difficulty	Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps	1
Time to Perform Fix	10 seconds
Things Needed	A TV or monitor

Believe it or not, turning your TV off beforehand will stop your PS4 console from turning on or off randomly if the issue is caused by an HDMI glitch. This glitch may occur after turning your PS4 console on while connected to a running TV.

For some reason, something about the HDMI output may cause your PS4 console to turn off randomly during this. As such, it’s advisable to keep your TV turned on when you’re about to power on your PS4 console.

Once your PS4 console has completed its bootup sequence, you can turn the TV back on without causing the HDMI glitch. Please note that this method isn’t a permanent fix, as you might need to keep doing this whenever you turn on your PS4.

Also, you don’t have to unplug the HDMI cable connecting your PS4 console to the TV when doing this. Turning off your TV should be enough but feel free to do this as well if you want to make this your safety net.

FIX 8. Install some washers on the brace inside your PS4

Difficulty	Moderately Hard ●●●●○
Number of Steps	10
Time to Perform Fix	5 minutes
Things Needed	• A Torx T8 screwdriver • A standard screwdriver • 4 washers

Sometimes when your PS4 turns on then off right away, it might be accompanied by a flashing blue light on the console itself. This problem is also known as the “blue light of death,” and it can prevent your PS4 console from turning on in most cases.

There are various causes and fixes for this type of error, but the solution we’re showing you is relatively easier, as you only need to install some washers inside your PS4 console. 

For this method, four washers will be needed since you’ll have to put two on both screws holding the brace above the PS4 console’s heat sink.

Doing so will help tighten the solder joint under the console’s APU, preventing the PS4 blue light of death issue.

Step 1: Slide the PS4 console’s hard drive cover to the side to dislodge and remove it.

Step 2: Find and remove the warranty sticker at the back of your PS4 console.

Step 3: Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the screw underneath the warranty sticker.

Step 4: Remove the two screws securing the PS4 console’s top cover.

Step 5: Lift and remove the PS4 console’s top cover.

Step 6: Use a standard screwdriver to unscrew the brace from the PS4 console’s heat sink.

Step 7: Insert two washers on each of the brace’s screws.

Step 8: Screw the brace tightly back into place.

Step 9: Reinstall the PS4 console’s top cover and screw it back into place.

Step 10: Slide the Ps4 console’s hard drive cover back into place.

FIX 9. Reseat the console’s hard drive

Difficulty	Moderate ●●●○○
Number of Steps	4
Time to Perform Fix	20 seconds
Things Needed	A standard screwdriver

You’ll know that this issue has something to do with the hard drive if your PS4 console is beeping once and has a flashing blue light.

While you’re going to open your PS4’s cover to do this fix, the good things is that its hard drive is only secured one screw. So, there’s not much you need to do to remove and reconnect it properly.

Performing this method doesn’t also require removing the warranty sticker on your PS4 console, so this won’t void its warranty. Sony allows you to upgrade your PS4 console’s storage space with a compatible hard drive in case you end up filling it up.

Step 1: Slide the PS4 console’s hard drive cover to the side to dislodge and remove it.

Step 2: Remove the screw securing the PS4 console’s hard drive.

Step 3: Slide the PS4 console’s hard drive to remove it.

Step 4: Reinsert the PS4 console’s hard drive securely.

FIX 10. Install the latest PS4 software update

Difficulty	Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps	7
Time to Perform Fix	5 minutes
Things Needed	• A PS4 controller • A working internet connection

Software-related issues can also cause your PS4 console to turn on or off by itself. It usually happens due to outdated system software installed on your PS4 console, making it prone to malfunctions and errors.

To address this, download and install the latest PS4 software update on your console. Not only will this improve the console’s performance and compatibility with more games, but it will also fix PS4 turns off randomly for you.

After all, it’s through software updates that Sony can release bug fixes and upgrades to your PS4 console, which helps improve its efficiency and longevity.

Step 1: Scroll up from the PS4 home screen to navigate to the control panel and scroll right to go to Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and click System Software Update on the console’s settings menu.

Step 3: Click Next to proceed with the software update.

Step 4: Click Update to download the software update on your PS4 console.

Step 5: Wait for your PS4 console’s download to finish.

Step 6: Wait again for your PS4 console’s update installation to finish.

Step 7: Wait once more as your PS4 restarts its system and loads the newly installed software update.

Take note that the routine above will only work with a steady internet connection. If you’re unsure your internet is steadfast, you may have to explore other options to get one. 

Finally, if you’ve reached this point and have done all the solutions we’ve given you  but still deal with the on/off issue, there’s still one recourse you can do to remedy it. And that’s to contact Sony PlayStation experts in your area.