PS5 won’t turn on – possible causes and how to fix

The most common reason why your PlayStation 5 won’t turn on is because of an interrupted power supply. For instance, if the power adapter or the cable is damaged, your console won’t turn on. To ensure that your PS5 is getting an uninterrupted power supply – 

• Check if the power adapter is working properly
• See if the power outlet is functional
• Check if the cables are not frayed or damaged

If there are any loose cables and connections, then it is possible that the console won’t start up because of it. 

• See if the power adapter is plugged in firmly
• Check if the main power cable is connected properly to the console
• Look for any damaged or frayed cables that might be malfunctioning
• Also, check if the display cables, like the HDMI cable, are plugged in properly

If you see a white light blinking on your console, then you should try to power cycle it. Here’s a rundown on how to do it – 

• Press and hold the power button until the light stops blinking
• Unplug the power cable and then wait for 20 minutes or more to let the remaining power drain
• Plug the power cable again and try to turn the PS5 on

As mentioned before, overheating can cause damage to fragile internal components. This is why it is important to ensure that the console gets enough cooling. To do that, you can – 

• Place the PS5 in a well-ventilated area away from the sunlight
• Clean the fans thoroughly with compressed air
• Consider investing in additional cooling equipment

Now, this is a method that might work for consoles with disc drives. Try to insert a game disc into your console. If it goes in without a hitch, then your PS5 should turn on. You can try power cycling and manually rebooting it.

If you have used the rest mode on your PS5 before, then it is possible that your console is stuck in that state. To try and troubleshoot your console, all you have to do is press and hold the power button for 15 seconds and reboot it. If it works, your console will turn on and work as normal.

If your PS5 starts up but the software system does not start, then you can try resetting your console.

Here’s how you can restart your console in safe mode – 

• Press the power button to turn the PS5 off. For reference, you can read our guide on how to turn off PS5 safely
• Press and hold the button for about 10 seconds, and wait until you hear a second beep
• Try connecting your controller to the console, and click the PS button
• When the safe mode menu appears, select ‘Reset PS5’
• Wait for the console to restart

Note that resetting your console will erase all the game data from it – so you should use this as a last resort. 

If nothing seems to be working, then it’s a cue for you to get in touch with Sony support. You can also try getting assistance from the online forum.