How to Reset Your PS4 - Complete Guide
- Raymond van Wyk
- a few seconds ago
- 6 min read
Resetting your PS4 can resolve software issues or remove your personal and account data from the console before selling it.
There are three ways to reset a PS4 console: quick reset, full reset, and reinstalling the system software.
In this How to Reset Your PS4 guide, we'll talk about the benefits and how it works for each option.
What's in the Resetting PS4 Guide
Option 1: Quick Factory Reset PS4 - 4 Steps
Time to Complete: 5 minutes
Use the quick PS4 factory reset to remove data or reset the console settings. This will remove everything from the PS4, and you'll need to set it up as if it were new.
Here's how to do a quick factory reset on PS4 consoles:
Go to Settings
Go down to Initialisation
Choose Quick Installation (Few minutes to complete)
Wait to Complete
Once complete, you’ll need to connect your controller via USB and set up the console as if it's new.
Note: The quick PS4 reset will remove all the data, but it can still be recovered. If you're selling the PS4, it's safest to do a complete reset to ensure there's no way to recover your account details.
Option 2: Full Factory Reset PS4: 4 Steps
Time to Complete: 30 mins to 2 hours
Use the full factory reset on PS4 to completely remove all the data, reset settings, and ensure none of your personal details can be recovered. This is recommended for selling your PS4.
Go to Settings
Go down to Initialisation
Choose Full Installation (30 minutes to 2 hours to complete)
Wait to Complete
Once complete, the PS4 will ask that you connect a controller with a USB cable. If you're selling the console, leave it as is and turn it off. The new owner can then set up the console with their account and preferred settings.
Option 3: Reinstall System Software
Consider reinstalling the system software if your PS4 is not working as it should. A glitch in the software can cause all kinds of issues and errors, and reinstalling the software might resolve it.
Here's how to hard reset your PS4 in safe mode:
Download the Latest Software on a USB Drive
Using a PC or Mac, you'll need to download the latest PS4 software and install it on a USB drive (4GB or bigger). Here's how:
Download the latest PS4 reinstallation file (click the "PS4 Console Installation File Button)
Format the USB drive to FAT32 or exFAT
On the empty USB drive, create a new folder named "UPDATE"
In the "UPDATE" folder, paste the downloaded software file (ensure the name is "PS4UPDATE.PUP"
Remove the USB from the PC and insert it into one of the PS4 console's USB ports
Reinstall System Software on PS4
With the USB drive that contains the update file and new system software inserted into the PS4, follow these steps to reinstall the PS4 system software:
Turn off the PS4 completely and wait for the light indicator to stop blinking
Hold the power button until you hear two beeps (around 7 seconds) - this will activate "Safe Mode"
Connect a PS4 controller with a USB cable
Choose "Reinstall System Software" from the menu
PS4 Could Not Find Update File
If the PS4 shows an error message that it could not find the update file, remove the USB drive and insert it into a PC or Mac. Ensure the file system is correct:
USB is formatted to FAT32 or exFAT
Only one folder is on the USB drive called UPDATE (all capital letters)
The UPDATE folder only has the system software, and it's named exactly: PS4UPDATE.PUP
Update Failed or Issues are Not Resolved
If the update still fails or the software issues continue even after reinstalling the software, the console might be damaged and need repair.
Contact your local repair technician for further assistance. If you're in South Africa, use our trusted and top-rated console repair technicians for the best prices to sort out your PS4.
Why Resetting Your PS4 is Crucial Before Selling
Imagine leaving your social media accounts, saved passwords, and personal information on a device you're about to hand over to a stranger. It's a security risk you wouldn't want to take.
Resetting your PS4 before selling it guarantees that all your personal data, including accounts, games, and settings, are removed, safeguarding your privacy and ensuring a clean slate for the new user.
How to Reset Your PlayStation 4
Selling your PS4 to MobiTraderSA adds an additional layer of protection since we always check that all your personal details are properly removed. To reset your PS4 to factory settings, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Back Up Your Data
Before initiating the reset process, back up any data you want to keep, such as saved game progress or screenshots. You can back up your data to a USB drive or to the cloud through PlayStation Plus.
A USB backup is only required if your PS4 console is not collected to the internet or you have chosen not to backup your account online. For more info on backing up your PS4 with a USB drive, visit the PlayStation 4 back up and restore page.
Step 2: Deactivate Your PS4 as Primary
Navigate to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4 and select "Deactivate." This step is crucial to ensure the new user can set the console as their primary device.
Step 3: Initialize Your PS4
Go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 and choose "Full." This will erase everything on the console, including user profiles, game data, and downloaded content, reverting it to factory settings.
The full initialization would take up to 2 hours to complete. However, the "quick" option takes only a few minutes and still removes all your personal information, game data, account details, and downloaded content.
Step 4: Ready for Sale!
Once the reset process is complete, your PS4 is now ready to find a new owner. The reset PS4 process is successful when the initial setup screen shows where you need to connect your controller with a USB cable.
You can turn off the PS4 with the power button and hand it over to the new owner. They would go through the setup process as if the console is new.
Additional Tips:
Format the Hard Drive: If you are concerned about any data remnants, you can format the hard drive before reinstalling the system software.
Remove Discs and Accessories: Before handing over your PS4, remember to remove any game discs and accessories.
In conclusion, resetting your PS4 before selling it is not only crucial for your privacy and security but also benefits the new user by providing them with a fresh gaming experience. By following these steps and tips, you can confidently prepare your PS4 for its new journey while ensuring peace of mind for yourself. Happy gaming!
Why You Should Not Sell Your PSN Account
Selling your PSN account means you don't reset your PlayStation 4 before selling it. There are many disadvantages to this, which you can read about more in our Is It Legal to Sell Your PSN Account page. Here are the four main reasons why you should reset your PS4 before selling:
Selling your PSN account instead of resetting your PlayStation 4 is risky and illegal according to Sony's rules; it could get you banned from the PSN network.
Without resetting and removing your account, you'll make it easy for the next owner to access all your personal information, including your bank details.
You will not be able to access your account when you decide to buy a PS5 or other PlayStation console in the future.
All your saved game progress, online friends, and trophies would no longer belong to you.
Sell or Trade in your PS4 at MobiTraderSA
MobiTraderSA is a trusted and secure way to sell your PS4 from anywhere in South Africa. Our website provides advanced calculators to provide an instant offer for your console, games, extra controllers, VR headsets, and any other accessories.
We also make it easy to upgrade your PS4 to PS5 by getting an offer and choosing the "upgrade to PS5" option on the form. This would boost the offer for your PS4 by 5%, which you can use towards getting the PS5.
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