PlayStation Problems: 8 Simple Hacks for the Most Common PS4 Issues

Written By Alla Levin
June 03, 2019

8 Simple Hacks for the Most Common PS4 Issues

PS4 sales have expanded in the recent past, gaining a market share of 71%. Despite the PS4 issues that have been reported, the market is growing both in value and volumes. The PlayStation 4 is remarkable in all aspects, but it’s not immune to technological hiccups.

Here, we review some of the eight most common PS4 issues and what you can do to resolve them. Read on!

PS4 Turning Off Abruptly

This is one of the common PS4 issues that many users have experienced in the recent past. The PS4 turns off randomly while it’s still in use by the gamers. Alongside this problem is the issue of the console not turning on when the power button is pushed.

When this happens, the console will blink a red light instead of a white one. Sony offered a fix for this problem and recommended that you

  • Check the HDMI cable
  • Check the hard drive
  • Ventilate the PS4

If all of these options fail, Sony recommends getting a replacement.

PS4 Issues in Disc Reading

Sony released an update to resolve this problem, and it shouldn’t be much of an issue. However, if you still experience this problem, you can try the following.

If the disk can be ejected, eject it and turn off the PS4 completely. Check to see that it’s not merely sleeping. Wait for one minute and turn it on again.

If the disk still doesn’t read, turn off the PS4 and unplug it for a minute. If these two options don’t work, contact Sony for a repair.

PS4 Wi-Fi IssuesNW-31297-2 PS4 error 

Sometimes the PS4 issue you’ll experience has to do with Wi-Fi. If this happens, unplug your router, give it a minute and plug it back in. Your PS4 will delete the initial connection and register a new link.

If this doesn’t seem to work, consider moving your router to a higher location where there’s no obstruction. If you see the NW-31297-2 PS4 error after doing this, try reconnecting by entering the password again. Unfortunately, some users have reported that this doesn’t work.

There are still many users complaining of not being able to fix the Wi-Fi issue. With the update to PS4 5.0, this shouldn’t be an issue anymore.

For enhanced reliability, you should consider buying a Wi-Fi extender with an ether port. Alternatively, you can run Ethernet cable to your PS4 or use a power over Ethernet adapter.

PS4 Eject Problems

One common problem is the PS4 trying to eject a disc while there’s none inserted. You can deal with the issue by first unplugging all the wires from your PS4. By all wires, we mean HDMI, audio, Ethernet, and Power.

Wait for 10 seconds and press the power button until the console lights up for about a second. This can happen even with the power cord unplugged. After this, wait for 5 seconds, plug back the PS4 and resume gaming.

Although the fix may help at the moment, it may not last long. You may want to have your PS4 repaired.

Problem with Audio or Video on the PS4ps4 issues

If you can’t view images or don’t have sound, you could be having a broken HDMI cable. The possible solution here is to check if the cord is damaged. If the pins connecting the cable to the PS4 are bent, use a pin to put it back in place.

Be gentle as you do so. If you can’t establish any problem with the cable, try using a different one. If it works, your old one could be having a problem. Be sure to find out more about the source and cause of the problem before fixing it.

PS4 Crashes or Crashes

Among the common PS4 issues, you’ll sometimes see your PS4 crash or freeze. The reason for this is overheating firmware problems or network issues.

One way to solve this problem is to give the console some time to cool off. It should work well after a while. One thing you should strive to avoid at all costs is hard resetting the PS4. Doing so can adversely affect the console.

You may also want to check the company’s support site for another quick fix for the bug.

PSN Problems and Fixes

Sometimes you’ll have trouble connecting to PSN to play games; you need to perform some maintenance to the network. This problem can also exhibit in the form of being unable to buy games or connect with friends.

The recommendation is to use a wired connection if possible. If this doesn’t work, you should try resetting the modem or router to fix most of the issues.

Another thing to do is to place the PS4 in a DMZ or activate Quality of Service on your router. By doing so, you’ll ensure the PS4 gets priority over other things like Netflix. You can search your router model number for more information.

PS4 Black Screen Flickersps4 issues (3)

Some gamers have complained that they get black screen flickers. The first thing you need to do is replace the HDMI cable you use to connect to your HDTV. If possible, use a different HDMI connection.

Other users successfully set the PS4 video output to 720P, but it may not provide the optimal solution.

PS4 Issues – Take Away

PS4 users have over the years reported experiencing various PS4 issues. Although some of them can be fixed with simple alterations on the console, others may require professional repairs. Others require regular updates of the software.

Among the most commonly experienced issues are problems with Wi-Fi. This can be resolved by placing the router on a higher location. Another problem has to do with the console powering off abruptly. The HDMI cable also fails sometimes, leading to disruptions in audio and video transmission.

PS4 freezes or crashes, black screen flickers, and failure to read the disc are other common problems. If you try changing the HDMI cable or restarting the console and the issues don’t get resolved, you need a replacement of your PS4.

Sony is, however, working on improving the consoles. You can contact them to find out the type of fix your PS4 issues require.

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