How to Fix PS5 Crashing Issues

The PlayStation 5 is a powerful console, but frequent crashes, freezes, and unexpected shutdowns can interrupt gameplay and damage system integrity. Whether your PS5 crashes during startup, while playing high-demand titles, or when sitting idle in rest mode, the cause often lies in one of several key areas: software corruption, overheating, hardware malfunction, power delivery failure, or conflicting system settings. At How To Fix, we deliver real-time troubleshooting solutions designed to eliminate PS5 crashing problems permanently.

Check for System Software Updates

One of the most common reasons for system instability is outdated firmware or an incomplete update.

How to update your PS5 system software:

  1. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
  2. Choose Update System Software.
  3. Select Update Using Internet.

If you’re unable to update through the system, use a USB flash drive:

  • Download the update file from PlayStation’s official site.
  • Save it as PS5/UPDATE/PS5UPDATE.PUP on your USB.
  • Boot into Safe Mode and select Update System Software > Update from USB Drive.

A clean update resolves firmware-related crashes and eliminates corrupted system processes.

Rebuild PS5 Database

Corrupted system files and cache data can cause the PS5 to crash at random, particularly during game launches or installs.

Rebuild instructions:

  1. Power off your PS5.
  2. Press and hold the Power button until you hear a second beep (about 7 seconds).
  3. Connect your DualSense controller via USB and press the PS button.
  4. Select Rebuild Database.

This will scan the internal storage and repair damaged or orphaned files without deleting your games or data.

Inspect for Overheating Issues

Overheating is a major contributor to sudden crashes, screen freezes, or complete shutdowns. The PS5 has aggressive thermal management and will force power-off to protect its components.

What to check:

  • Listen for unusually loud fan noise.
  • Touch the PS5’s back and side panels for excessive heat.
  • Check for dust buildup in the vents or air intake.

Cooling solutions:

  • Place the PS5 in a well-ventilated area, away from walls or confined shelves.
  • Use vertical orientation if horizontal setup blocks airflow.
  • Clean the vents using compressed air or a low-suction vacuum.
  • Consider external cooling stands with built-in fans.

If your console frequently crashes during graphically demanding games like Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, or Spider-Man 2, overheating is likely the issue.

Test the Power Supply and Surge Protector

Unstable electricity supply can result in system reboots, blue screen errors, or failure to power on.

Power checks:

  • Plug the PS5 directly into a wall outlet, bypassing surge protectors or power strips.
  • Use only the original PS5 power cable.
  • Ensure the outlet delivers stable 110V–120V current (use a multimeter to verify).

If power-related crashes stop after bypassing third-party hardware, replace those components with certified accessories.

Delete and Reinstall Corrupt Games

Specific games that repeatedly cause the PS5 to crash may be corrupted or incomplete installs.

Game-level fixes:

  1. Highlight the affected game from the home screen.
  2. Press the Options button, then select Delete.
  3. Reinstall the game from the disc or PlayStation Store library.
  4. Avoid playing the game while background downloads are active.

This method resolves crashes limited to a single title without affecting your saved data, which remains in cloud storage if you have PlayStation Plus.

Disable Rest Mode Temporarily

Rest mode inconsistencies, especially after recent firmware updates, can crash the PS5 during wake-up.

Turn off rest mode:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode.
  2. Set both options to Don’t Put in Rest Mode.

Also disable remote access features:

  • Go to Settings > System > Remote Play, then toggle Disable Remote Play.
  • Under Features Available in Rest Mode, turn off Enable Turning On PS5 from Network.

This eliminates sudden reboots caused by improper power state transitions.

Test with a Different SSD or External Storage

If you’ve expanded your PS5 with a M.2 SSD or connected external storage, check for compatibility or failure.

Troubleshooting storage:

  • Remove the M.2 SSD and reboot.
  • Play games from internal storage only.
  • Test by unplugging external USB drives.

Ensure all SSDs meet Sony’s approved specification list (PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, 5,500 MB/s read speed minimum). Using unsupported drives can crash the system under load.

Factory Reset as a Last Resort

A clean factory reset eliminates all data, accounts, settings, and restores the PS5 to its original state.

How to factory reset:

  1. Backup your saves via Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (Cloud Storage).
  2. Boot into Safe Mode.
  3. Select Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software).

This method is only recommended after exhausting all other options. It’s especially helpful for fixing deep-rooted software corruption that regular updates or rebuilds don’t resolve.

Watch for Hardware Defects and GPU Crashes

Crashes accompanied by graphical glitches, screen artifacts, or flickering display may indicate a faulty GPU, motherboard, or RAM module.

Visual indicators:

  • PS5 crashes on boot with a black screen.
  • HDMI signal loss while playing.
  • Freezes during loading screens with graphical noise.

These are not software-related and require warranty servicing. Visit PlayStation Support to initiate a repair or replacement.

Avoid Third-Party Accessories

Unsupported hardware such as non-licensed headsets, hubs, or vertical stands can conflict with system stability.

  • Remove all third-party USB accessories.
  • Reboot with only the controller and HDMI connected.
  • Reintroduce accessories one at a time to identify the cause.

Faulty USB devices can drain power, create port conflicts, or send corrupted data that triggers a kernel panic and forces a crash.

Run Diagnostics with System Performance Reports

PS5 maintains an internal crash report log after each forced shutdown. You can view these reports to isolate specific errors.

Steps:

  • Go to Settings > System > System Software > Error History.
  • Note down error codes (e.g., CE-108255-1, CE-107857-8, etc.).
  • Search these codes on the PlayStation Support site for targeted fixes.

This offers insight into whether the crash was caused by hardware, storage, power, or a specific title.

Online games or system sync services can cause disconnects or crashes if the connection is unstable.

Fix network crashes:

  • Use wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi for high-demand games.
  • Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
  • Disable Connect to the Internet while playing offline games.

Reset your modem/router and use Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) for more reliable connection to Sony servers.

Monitor PS5 Usage and Schedule Cooldowns

Continuous gaming sessions that run longer than 5–6 hours can elevate system temperature and memory usage.

Best practices:

  • Power off your PS5 fully between long sessions.
  • Avoid rest mode after marathon play.
  • Clear the room’s airflow, especially in enclosed cabinets.

Set reminders to let your PS5 rest and cool every 3–4 hours, particularly when playing demanding 4K or ray-traced titles.

Conclusion

Fixing PS5 crashing issues involves a systematic evaluation of software integrity, thermal performance, storage devices, power delivery, and accessory conflicts. At How To Fix, we recommend starting with firmware updates and gradually progressing through hardware inspections and database rebuilds. Every fix provided above has been tested across multiple crash scenarios and aligns with official troubleshooting standards.

Persistent issues may indicate deeper hardware failures, but following the above steps will resolve the vast majority of PS5 crash complaints without needing a service center visit.

For more advanced fixes, visit our site and explore guides tailored to fixing home electronics, game consoles, smart devices, and everything in between.