How to Factory Reset PS4 [2022 Complete Guide]

PAGE CONTENT: 

Preparations Before Factory Reset PS4

2 Ways Factory Reset PS4

Sum Up

FAQ on Factory Reset PS4

A factory reset on a PlayStation 4 returns the console to its original state, like when it was first purchased.

You may want to factory reset your PS4 for various reasons, such as selling or trading it, dealing with constant crashes, glitches, or freezes, upgrading the internal hard drive, or buying a used PS4 to ensure it's malware-free. Fortunately, doing a factory reset on your PS4 is a relatively straightforward process, and we'll outline two effective methods in this article to help you achieve this.

Preparations Before Factory Reset PS4

To prepare for a factory reset, you should save any important data, such as contacts, photos, and documents, to an external storage device or cloud storage service. You should also disconnect any unnecessary devices from the device, such as external hard drives or USB drives.

• Backup any critical files and data

Before factory resetting your PS4, it's essential to back up all important data, as the process will erase all data from the console. To do this, you'll need a USB drive with enough storage space to store all data in your PS4, which you can then use to transfer your data to a safe location.

Choose to back up only the files that are most important to you, such as games and apps, screenshots and video clips, settings, and saved data, if you don't want to back up all files.

• Deactivate any subscriptions 

If you won't be using your PS4 account in the future, you should cancel your subscription. To do this, sign in to AccountManagement in a browser, select the subscription you want to cancel from the menu on the left, and then choose Cancel Subscription next to it.

(Information source: https://www.playstation.com/en-hk/support/store/cancel-ps-store-subscription/)

• Sign out of your PlayStation Network account 

To avoid disclosing some private information, sign out of your PS4 network accounts by going to Settings, finding Account Management and clicking Sign out.

• Unplug any external storage devices

Unplug any external devices from your PS4 before performing a factory reset to ensure a smooth and safe process.

• Turn off your PS4

To turn off your PS4, you can use either method 1 or method 2, but method 2 is the one that allows you to use the "Turn off PS4" option. To do this, hold the power button for 10 seconds until the system beeps twice and powers down. This method doesn't require you to shut down your PS4 manually.

2 Ways Factory Reset PS4

Method 1. Factory Reset PS4 from Settings 

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "System" on your PS4 main menu.

Step 2. Scroll down to the bottom and select "Initialize PS4".

Step 3. Choose "Full" factory reset and then hit "Next". 

Step 4. Confirm your factory reset by selecting "Yes".

Step 5. After completing the factory reset process, your PS4 will automatically restart, and you can begin the setup process as if it were a brand new console, taking into account the time it may take for the process to complete, which can be up to several hours.

Method 2. Use Safe Mode to Factory Reset PS4 

To resolve a booting issue or other errors preventing access to the Settings menu and Initialization PS4, you can try using the console's Safe Mode. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1. Turn off your PS4 completely. (Refer to the above preparations) 

Step 2. Connect your controller to the PS4 using a USB cable, then press the PS button on the controller.

Step 3. On your TV screen, you should see a Safe Mode menu. Select "Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)" from the next screen.

Step 5. Choose between a "Quick" or "Full" factory reset, then select "Next" based on your needs.

Step 6. Confirm your factory reset by selecting "Yes".

Step 7. Wait for the factory reset process to finish, which may take some time. Once done, your PS4 will restart automatically, and you can start setting it up as new.

Sum Up

Factory resetting PS4 If your PS4 isn't working properly, don't worry, resetting it is not tricky if you know the correct operation. You can either choose to factory reset it from the Settings if it's working fine, or use Safe Mode if it's not. Both methods are available if you follow each step correctly, making sure to back up all your important files and data beforehand. Hope this post is helpful!

FAQ on Factory Reset PS4

1. How to reinstall system software in PS4?

To reinstall PS4 system software, create a folder named "PS4" on a USB formatted as FAT32 on a computer, and then create another folder named "UPDATE" under it. Next, download the system software update file to the "UPDATE" folder from the PS4 system software update page, selecting the "Reinstall system software" option. This process requires a PC and an external hard drive, making it slightly more complex than a factory reset.

2. How to backup my PS4 before factory reseting it?

To backup your PS4 before a factory reset, you'll need a USB drive with enough storage space to hold your backup files. Insert the USB into your PS4, go to Settings, then System, and select Back UP and Restore. Choose Back Up, select the content you want to back up, give a name to your backup files, and click the Back Up button. This will ensure your important data is safely backed up.

3. Does PS4 factory reset delete everything?

If you factory reset your PS4, it will erase all your data from the system, so it's recommended to back up all data before doing so.

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