How to Factory Reset PS4 [2024 Complete Guide]

Are you looking for ways to factory reset PS4? Factory resetting is an excellent solution to fix PS4 constant crashes, glitches, or freezes. You also need to factory reset it when you want to trade or sell your PS4. This post will offer two ways to factory reset PS4 and the preparations you need to do before factory resetting. 

Factory resetting a PlayStation 4 is a process that returns the console to its original, out-of-the-box state. 

There are several possible reasons why you want to factory reset PS4. Maybe you want to sell or trade your PS4, or your PS4 constantly crashes, glitches or freezes. Perhaps you want to upgrade PS4 hard drive. Or maybe you're buying a used PS4, and you want to ensure that it doesn't have any malware. Whatever the reason, doing a factory reset PS4 is a relatively easy process. We will provide two effective methods in this article.

Preparations Before Factory Reset PS4

Before the factory resetting, you must make some preparations to ensure the process goes smoothly.

• Backup any critical files and data

The first and most important thing is to back up all important data because factory resetting will erase all data from the console. To back up your PS4, you need to prepare a USB drive that has enough storage space to store all data in your PS4. 

If you don't want to back up all files, choose those important ones like games and apps, screenshots and video clips, settings, and saved data. 

• Deactivate any subscriptions 

If you don't use your PS4 account in the future, you'd better cancel the account subscription. Sign in to the AccountManagement in a browser, select a subscription from the menu on the left of the screen, and finally select Cancel Subscription beside the subscription you want to cancel.

(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, you'd better sign out of your PS4 network accounts. It's very simple. Just go to the Settings, find Account Management and click Sign out. 

• Unplug any external storage devices

If you have other external devices plugged into your PS4, make sure to unplug them before factory resetting your PS4.

• Turn off your PS4

Turn off PS4 is only available for method 2 - reset from the Safe Mode. Hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the System beeps twice and powers down. Using the first method, you don't need to shut down your PS4. 

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. Wait for the factory reset process to be completed, which may take up to several hours. Once it's done, your PS4 will restart automatically, and you can start setting it up as new.

Method 2. Use Safe Mode to Factory Reset PS4 

If you're having trouble with a booting issue or other errors preventing you from getting to the Settings menu and Initialization PS4, you can try to achieve it through the console's Safe Mode. Here are the 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 and 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 "Quick" or "Full" factory reset depending on your needs and then hit "Next". 

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 is not tricky if you know the correct operation. If the PS4 works properly, you can choose the first method to factory reset it from the Settings. If not, use Safe Mode to achieve your purpose. Both methods are available if you follow each step correctly. Make sure to back up all your important files and data! Hope this post is helpful. 

FAQ on Factory Reset PS4

1. How to reinstall system software in PS4?

Reinstalling PS4 system software is a little complex compared with factory reset PS4 because it needs another PC and an external hard drive. Create a folder named "PS4" on a USB formatted as FAT32 on a computer firstly. Then create another folder named "UPDATE" under the "PS4" folder. Open the PS4 system software update page, and select the "Reinstall system software" part. Then download the installation file to the "UPDATE" folder.

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

Backup PS4 before factory reset it is a great way to ensure the safety of important data. Before backup, you must prepare a USB drive with much larger storage space than your PS4 backup files. Insert USB to your PS4 console. Go to setting, find System, then Back UP and Restore. Select Back Up, choose and confirm what content you want to back up, give a name to backup files like PS4 Backup, and finally, click the Back Up button. 

3. Does PS4 factory reset delete everything?

If you factory reset your PS4, the process will erase all your data from the System. So you'd better back up all data before operating a factory reset.