How to Fix a PS4 That Won't Turn On

If you are reading this article, then you have probably found yourself in a situation where your PS4 won’t turn on and you aren’t sure what to do to fix it. The system may beep but show no signal, or you may be seeing a blue light, or a white light, among many other possible problems.

Thankfully, there are many resources online to help you find a solution, including us at TronicsFix! We can help you figure out how to fix your PS4, whether it’s the original, slim or pro version.

PS4 Not Turning On - Causes and Possible Solutions

Let’s jump into looking at some of the most common problems that cause a PS4 to not turn on, as well as some easy DIY solutions.

1: Faulty or Loose Power Cord

Sometimes the cause of the problem is simply that the power cord is not plugged into the back of the PS4 fully. Another possibility is that the power cord does not fit properly into the console and seems to be loose, or ill fitting. In that case, you might have the wrong power cord if you bought it from a secondhand seller. Here are some solutions:

• First, check to see if the power cord is properly plugged into the console. Make sure it is plugged in all the way, and that there is nothing keeping it from being plugged in fully.
• Another easy solution to try is to unplug the power cord from the wall and let it sit for a minute. After about a minute, plug it back into the wall, and try turning it on again.
• If those things don’t work, you can also try conducting a “power cycle”. This is similar to unplugging your power cord from the wall, but more effective. To do so, make sure that your PS4 is turned off completely, unplug the power cord from the console, and let it sit for 5 minutes. After the time has passed, plug your power cord back in and try turning the PS4 on.

• Lastly, if you’re finding that the power cord doesn't fit properly and seems to be loose, then you may need to purchase a new power cable. The PS4 Original, Slim, and Pro (last model) all use a standard IEC C7 Power Cable (paid Amazon affiliate link) which you can purchase at most electronics stores, as well as online. The first two PS4 Pro models (7000 & 7100 series) use a 2 Prong AC Power Cord (paid Amazon affiliate link) instead, which you can also buy online.

2: Faulty Power Strip

If you have your device plugged into a power strip, it’s possible that the power strip is faulty or simply isn’t able to handle the power load that a game console needs. Here’s what you can do:

• An easy test to see if your power strip isn’t working is to plug your console directly into the wall. If your console turns on after doing that, you can know that your power strip is either faulty, or can’t handle the amount of power that your console needs. We suggest getting a Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector (paid Amazon affiliate link), which we have used and know works well with consoles.

3: Insects Inside the Console

Unfortunately, gaming consoles are the perfect place for insects to live in because they are dark and warm. Because of this it is very common for people to have insect infestations inside of their consoles, especially in humid climates. 

• The best solution to this is to open up your PS4 and clean it out, looking for signs of insects, such as cockroaches, ants, moths, or spiders.

• If you find that any of these insects have caused significant damage to your device and it isn’t able to power on, you might need to send it to a professional to get the power supply replaced. Although, keep in mind that if the insect infestation is within your apartment or home, they can go back into your console even after getting it cleaned out and getting the power supply replaced.

4: Faulty Power Button

If you have dropped your PS4 console, or it has been opened before, you might want to check to see if the power button itself is the problem. There are a few easy fixes for this depending on what PS4 model you have:

• For all the models, an easy way to check if the power button is the problem is to plug the console into the wall and press the eject button. If the eject button works, then it is most likely a power button problem.
• If you have a PS4 original, you can try removing the top cover and checking the metal piece that sits behind the power button. This metal piece touches the motherboard when you press the power button, and if it is bent or damaged in any way it might not work correctly. If bending the metal piece back into place doesn’t fix the power issue, or if the metal piece is damaged, you might need to buy a replacement. Keep in mind that this metal piece is only in PS4 originals, not other models.

• If you have a model that isn’t the PS4 original, it’s possible that the power button has been damaged by liquid or has broken off. Keep in mind that replacing this kind of power button yourself can be difficult, because it requires some soldering experience. But, if you have some soldering experience, you should be able to do it without too much trouble.

5: Faulty Power Supply

Sometimes the power supply inside of the PS4 is faulty, and needs to be replaced. Here’s an easy way to test this:

• Try plugging something else into the outlet that your console is plugged into, like a lamp. If the lamp turns on, then something is most likely wrong with the console’s power supply. It is recommended to get a PS4 power supply replaced by a professional. On the other hand, if the lamp doesn’t turn on, then something is wrong with the outlet itself. An electrician will need to look at your outlet to fix it.

Additional Help

For additional help, take a look at this helpful YouTube video about the top 5 reasons why a PS4 won’t turn on. It discusses problems regarding roaches, power plugs, power surges, power strips, and power buttons.

Top 5 Reasons Your PS4 Won't Turn On Video

You can also check out the TronicsFix Forum for some more in-depth advice on how to fix your device.

If you have gone through the list above and tried all possible solutions, and your PS4 still isn’t turning on, it might be better to have a professional look at it. Whatever is causing your PS4 to not turn on could be something on the motherboard that might require someone with a lot of knowledge and experience to diagnose. We recommend ShaneFix.com if you want to send your PS4 in for professional repair.

About the Author

Kirstyn Bahnmiller is a writer, graphic designer, and video editor for TronicsFix who loves to share her ideas and creativity with the world. In her off time you will find her working on various crafts, making digital art, taking photos, and cooking delicious recipes she found online.