The PlayStation 4 is still a hugely popular cabinet , though if you have one you might be wondering whether it’sworth kick upstairs to the PS5 . But if you do decide to go that route and you want to deal off your former PS4 - or if you ’re plan to expend something else for gaming and you want to get drive of the PS4 for another reason - then we extremely recommend that you make indisputable to perform a factory reset before doing so .

Doing a manufacturing plant reset pass over your personal data so the gimmick is ready for someone else to use , and it can also be useful forfixing problem with the PS4 .

There are two methods for resetting your PS4 :

We ’ll be go over both ways in this article . Read on to find out how to mill reset your PlayStation 4 scheme . If you ’re looking for selective information on how to readjust a newer system , check out our article on how tofactory reset a PS5 .

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How to factory reset your PS4

We ’ll go into point about each step later on in this incision , but here ’s how to factory reset your PS4 via your console ’s dashboard :

A factory reset is usually done as a last resort to insure the functionality of the system . Before factory resetting , it ’s important to remember to back up all save data you may have before initiating the physical process . Factory reset the PlayStation will score out all of your data from your system , and not backing up your save information will result in you having to take up your games from scratch .

Things to view backing up include effigy , saves , and video , which can either be uploaded to anexternal deviceor to the swarm . so as to back up data using the cloud , you ’ll have to have aPlayStation Plusaccount , which gives you 100 GB of storage blank . However , you could also apply a flash crusade to copy saves if you are n’t a PS Plus fellow member .

Before we begin , you should know that a mill reset of your PS4 completely wipes the cabinet ’s hard drive and can even hit its system software . It ’s a last resort when a package glitch stops your PlayStation 4 dead in its rail , particularly when boot up or when you need to make certain the cabinet no longer has your data on it .

Below are footprint - by - step instructions to fill in a manufactory reset on your PS4 , whether you ’re shake an original good example , a Slim , or a Pro .

footprint 1 : Start in the configurations menu and find the option for Account Management . You ’ll require to deactivate the machine as your primary PlayStation 4 . That background allows you to playdownloaded gamesoffline by identifying this finical PS4 as yours . Miss this step , and you ’ll run across a host of other problem when you sign up on to your young console andtry to play your game .

Step 2 : Go toActivate as Your Primary PS4 . Your PS4 will probably already be activated . If that ’s the eccentric , theActivateoption will be grey out , andDeactivatewill be the only choice you’re able to select . SelectDeactivateand selectYeson the follow screen .

Step 3 : Sign back into your account and head back to the setting for the final steps .

Step 4 : Scroll all the elbow room to the bottom from within the preferences menu . Click onInitializationand you ’ll be presented with a few more option . For the function of this guide , you only want to worry about the bottom two options – we ’ll be skipping Clear Learning Dictionary . Below that , you ’ll seeRestore Default options , which will clear your saved options datum and return the PS4 to its factory options , but it wo n’t wipe your backbreaking drive .

The other selection , Initialize PS4 , is the big one that will clear your backbreaking driving force of data , including downloaded game , saved game data , and anything else you ’ve added to the cabinet since buying it . This will restore your PS4 to the pristine condition it was in when it came out of the box .

whole step 5 : The Full wipe is the one you ’re looking for . notice that it ’ll take a long clip – believably a couple of time of day or more .

Once you ’ve initialized the rub , the PS4 will give you a onward motion taproom show how long it ’ll take , but expect it to take even longer as the console go through multiple steps . When it is terminate , you ’ll be able to set up your PS4 the same way you did the first metre you change by reversal it on . If you ’re look to sell it , you ’ll be handing it over completely fresh and with no data attached .

Perform a factory reset from Safe Mode

If you ’re have hassle with system software or other errors that are preventing you from getting to the preferences card and re - initializing your PS4 , you may get to the same options from the console’sSafe Mode .

pace 1 : Turn your PS4 fully off . Do n’t set it toRest modality . You want the power entirely off on your console table so you could boot into Safe Mode .

Step 2 : confine down the mightiness button until you hear two beeps . You require to physically bear on the power push button on theconsole , rather than starting it with a control . throw it for about eight seconds . It will blare once when you first allude the button , and then again before bring up up into Safe Mode . It will be labeled , and you ’ll make out it by its black background .

Step 3 : There are three different approach to resetting your PS4 available in the Safe Mode fare . As in theSettingsmenu , in Safe Mode , you may chooseRestore Default Settingsto reset everything in the PS4 to its original software mount but keep your data .

you’re able to also chooseInitialize PS4target="_blank " > . This will wipe your operose crusade and restore you to factory configurations , but keep the organisation software — its operating system , in other words .

The last selection isInitialize PS4 ( Reinstall System Software ) , which is an even full manufacturing plant reset that will require you to reinstall the PS4 ’s operating organisation .

footstep 4 : If you ’re not having software problems , pick Initialize PS4 . This will mend your hard drive and software system setting to the manufacturing plant default but it will leave behind the operate system of rules software intact . It ’s the same as the option above ( available in theSettingsmenu ) , and you ’ll be able to choose betweenQuickandFullinitializations . If that ’s all you need , you ’re done .

How to reinstall system software on PS4

reinstall system software is a harder reset than a full initialisation and will whole erase all software off the console table . You will necessitate to have another gadget handy to reinstall system package after this reset . If you ’re having software system problems with the operating organization , you ’ll need to pick InitializePS4 ( Reinstall System Software ) , but there ’s another footstep in the process to do first .

Step 1 : On your personal computer , hunt for thelatest system softwarefrom the PlayStation website ( edition Version 10.01 ) and download it to your data processor . To transfer the update to your PS4 , you ’ll utilise a news bulletin private road or an outside hard thrust that can link via a USB port . Grab an extraneous hard movement or USB split second drive with about 1.1 GB of free space .

Step 2 : Create a newfangled folder on your USB equipment and name it PS4 . Inside that folder , produce a folder and name it “ UPDATE ” in all caps . Put the microcode file into that “ UPDATE ” pamphlet so you ’ll be able-bodied to access it chop-chop during the transfer . check that the file is diagnose “ PS4UPDATE.PUP ” when you save it .

footprint 4 : Choose Initialize PS4 ( Reinstall System Software ) on your PS4 . From there , follow all the prompts from your PS4 . As you go through , the console will pass over everything , including system software package . The next command prompt will channelise you through plugging in the USB with the update save and reinstalling the system software . After installing the updated files , your PS4 will be reset to factory preferences .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does factory reset of my PS4 delete everything?

When you manufacturing plant readjust your PS4 via the initialisation menu , all of your stage setting and information is permanently blue-pencil . There ’s no way to bring it back , so make certain you do n’t ask any of this data before you go about factory reset your PS4 .

How do I wipe my PS4 as a new owner?

If you ’ve just foot up a PS4 second hand and want to wipe it as the young possessor , you should do a mill reset of your console . you’re able to do this by enter the preferences menu on the PS4 dashboard , work to Account Management , take Deactivate , and then pressing Initialize PS4 . The factory reset mental process for a PS4 can take a couple hours or more .

How do I wipe and restore my PS4?

To wipe and reestablish your PS4 , take the next footstep :

Is initializing the PS4 the same as performing a factory reset?

Yes , these two refer to the same thing - wipe all the data from your PS4 and render it to the options it had once it will the factory .

However , there is another selection you may be mystify mix up with , called Restore Default configurations , sometimes also called Restore Factory configurations . This is a quick refresh mood which will not delete all your information , but will revert only your preferences back to the PS4 ’s original province . That think this pick is n’t unspoilt if you ’re plan to sell your PS4 , as you ’ll need to remove your personal data and game before hand it to someone else . But it can be utilitarian to assay to quickly fix a problem without go through the fuss of execute a full mill reset .