The PS5 white light means you’re good to go, but if your PS5 has a blinking white light, you might just have a problem.
To clarify, let’s look at the various scenarios in which your PS5 console shows you a white light.
Solid white: Power is on, and everything should work as normal.
Starts blue and transitions to solid white: You just activated your console out of rest mode (blue light) and when the white light shows up, you can get back to your game.
The white light blinks, and then there’s no light: You shut down your console and it won’t even charge now.
PS5 blinking white light doesn’t settle down to solid white: There’s a console error. Try unplugging it for a minute or two, and if that doesn’t help, reinstall the console software in Safe Mode.
Need more details? We’ve got you! Let’s get down to troubleshooting.
Fixes For PS5 Blinking White Light
1. The Official Version Part One: Unplug Your Console For 60 Seconds
PlayStation has a wonderful help resource (kidding). Actually, it’s not bad, but you have to navigate across at least half a dozen pages to get the full story.
Want it all in one? That’s what we have here and we’ve also checked forums for tips and tricks that aren’t on the official troubleshooting approach.
Assuming you came here first and didn’t check what PlayStation had to say about the PS5 blinking white light issue, unplugging your console for at least a minute might help.
We checked reddit, and it looks like a whole bunch of users got their PS5 back up and working with this fix.
Since it’s a really quick and easy thing to try, we recommend starting here. Basically, the console is frozen and this method unfreezes it.
2. The Official Version Part Two: Update or Reinstall Console Software in Safe Mode
So now we’re getting into deep water. When you reinstall system software, you’re going to lose all your console’s stored data. Before you do this, you can try two things:
Update System Software
You’re seeing your home screen, but there’s a failed system update causing issues. Here’s what you can try (PS5 only):
- Use a LAN cable to connect your console directly to your router.
- Go to Settings.
- Select System.
- Navigate to System Software.
- Look for System Software update and select that option.
Not Seeing the Home Screen? Try This Instead
Yep, we’re still on the official version, and there’s confirmation from gamers that this can work, so hang in there.
Assuming you’re connected to the PlayStation network but still can’t see your home screen follow these steps:
- Turn your console off
- Press the power button and hold it in until it has beeped twice
- Now, you’re in Safe Mode and you should be able to select the option labelled “Update System Software”
- Once the update is installed (yes, give it a bit of time), you should be sorted
Not Able To Launch Safe Mode? Check Cables or Power Cycle
You were with us all the way up to “press and hold until you get two beeps.” That didn’t happen. We’re still with you!
First up, the issue could be as simple as a badly connected or faulty USB, HDMI or power cable. Start by checking your connections to make sure they’re tight. Then try launching Safe Mode again.
If you still can’t get into Safe Mode, use spare cables (if you have them), trying to go into Safe Mode every time you switch a cable. That way, you’ll know which one presented a problem.
Alternatively, if you already tried this or don’t have spare cables, try shutting off power to your whole system for a few minutes and unplug everything to get a full power cycle.
Don’t be in a hurry. PlayStation says that you should shut down using the power button and then unplug for at least 20 minutes. After that, you can try going into Safe Mode again.
But before you do, first check if you still have an issue. Some Reddit users say that power cycling was all it took to get back to gaming.
Need to Reinstall From Scratch? Try Backing Up Your Data First
If attempts to update your console software aren’t doing the job, it’s time to try reinstalling it. As we mentioned, that means you’re going to lose your data. But, if you’re able to back it up, it’s recoverable.
Since this is going to affect your gaming experience, let’s look at that first. If you’re able to access your home screen, here’s how to go about it.
- Connect your USB drive (FAT or exFAT format) to your PS5 console
- On the home screen, select “Settings” and then go to “System”
- Choose “System Software”
- Go to “Back up and Restore”
- Select “Back up Your PS5”
- Choose what you want backed up and click on “Next”
- Choose “Back Up”
At this point your console will restart and the backup starts. Wait until your screen says “Backup Complete Your PS5 Console Will Restart.” Now, click “OK.” there’ll be another restart and you’ll end up back on your home screen.
Note that this may not back up absolutely everything on your console, but it will be a help.
Reinstall Your System Software
Time to start over. Remember, we’re still on the “official” version. You might want to try some of the tips we found on forums before you go this far.
If all else has failed, reinstalling system software might make your PS5 blinking white light go away. Your backed up data might save you some pain, but don’t expect to recover everything.
Still ready to bite the bullet? Here goes.
- Turn off your PS5 by pressing the power button and holding it in till you hear a beep.
- USe your PC to create a folder for the software. You’ll save it to a FAT32 or exFAT formatted USB drive.
- Download your PS5 software here. Check out the section labelled “Reinstall system software” to get the right download
- Label your folder “UPDATE” and save the file under the name PS5UPDATE.PUP. Use these folder and file names as you see them here with all caps or your PS5 won’t recognize the file.
- Once you have it, plug the USB into your console
- Start the console in safe mode by pressing the power button until you hear two beeps
3. The Unofficial Version: What’s Worked For Some PS5 Users
The simple “unplug and then plug in again” fix we mentioned right in the beginning has worked for many PS5 users experiencing the PS5 blinking white light glitch. Some of them report having to do it several times. Persistence might pay off.
Now this one’s important and can save you a lot of grief. Switching to a different power outlet might just solve your issue. That’s especially true if you’re using an extension cable.
Try plugging directly into the wall outlet instead or try another power outlet.
A lot of players are reporting issues after game updates. Most of them seem to have sorted it out with the unplug and plug back in trick, but some had to use Safe Mode to look for updates and others just power cycled their PS5 to get it back in working order.
There are also reports of PS5s crashing during system updates and using Safe Mode to complete the installation seems like a recipe for success in this case.
Another symptom is a PS5 that simply won’t turn off. The white light flashes, but that’s where it gets stuck. Power cycling seems like the tip most likely to work.
PS5 White Light Glitch: A Common Problem With the PS5
Users report that PS4 sometimes did the flashing white light trick, but that the PS5 is even more prone to it.
For some, it turned out to be a hardware error – and there’s no way to get that fixed in just a day or two.
However, most of them succeeded without even having to reinstall the software which, as you’ll have seen, is quite a performance to go through.
The good news is that the PS5 blinking white light can usually be resolved by restarting, power cycling, restarting in Safe Mode, looking for updates, or checking cables (including the power supply.)
The fix that worked the most often is the simple plug and unplug trick, and we’re hoping it works for you.
If it did, happy gaming! You’re back on track!
