With over 116 million units sold worldwide, the PlayStation 4 is easily the most popular current generation console. However, it’s not immune to problems. One common issue plaguing PS4 owners is the “PS4 white light of death” error.

The PS4’s power indicator may show a range of lights in various colours, each of which denotes a specific situation. The PS4 white light indicates the normal operation of the PS4. But if your PS4 is stuck on white light and won’t turn on no matter what you do, it may be suffering from the PS4 white light of death error.

 

Luckily, the PS4 white light can be fixed using several methods. In this article, we’ll show you seven potential solutions for the PS4 white light of death error.

 

Is Your PS4 Controller Flashing White Light?

Whether you’re a relatively new PS4 owner or have had your console for years, you may find yourself with a PS4 white light problem.

 

There are several reasons why this might happen:

 

• The PS4 controller is trying to connect to the console but can’t due to a lack of Bluetooth connection.

• The battery in the PS4 controller is running low.

• It appears that the PS4 controller has a problem.

 

Luckily, these issues are quite easy to fix. Below, we go over 7 ways to fix it.

 

7 Ways to Fix PS4 White Light Error

 

1. Adjust the Reset Button

Sometimes, the problem with your PS4 white light can be fixed by simply adjusting the position of the reset button. PS4 controllers have a small reset button located on the back. You should insert a small pin into the reset button hole and keep it pressed for a few seconds.

The process is somewhat inconvenient, but it’s this way to prevent accidental resets. After you’ve done this, the PS4 white light error should be resolved.

 

Before you try this method, there are some steps you should take to make sure that it will work:

 

• Make sure your controller is connected to the PS4 console.

• Check that your PS4 is switched off.

• Look for the reset button, which is located on the back of the controller.

• Use a small, thin object like a paperclip to press and hold the reset button for about five seconds.

• Carefully reconnect your controller to your PS4.

 

2. Take The Hard Drive Out

If you still can’t fix the problem, you may need to take the hard drive out of your PS4 and try to switch it on without it.

Before you remove the hard drive, you should turn your PS4 off. Once the device is turned off, push down on the top of the console where the LED light is located and pull left to release the plastic cover.

Next, remove the screw identified with the PlayStation button symbols from the left corner of your device using a Phillips head screwdriver.

Finally, remove the hard drive from your PS4 by using the metal protrusion that resembles a handle located in the front of the visible section of your console.

Try switching the device on after removing the hard drive, either normally or in safe mode. If your hard disc is the issue, the PS4 should either boot up as normal or enter safe mode.

 

3. Switch To Alternatives And Restore The Hardware

Sometimes, the reason your PS4 controller is flashing white has to do with the hardware itself. For example, you may have dropped your PS4 or otherwise damaged it, causing one of the internal components to break.

If this is the case, your PS4 would be unable to connect or charge, which is why the hardware is at fault. Here’s what you need to do:

 

A. Switch The USB Cable

The USB cable is one of the most common places for hardware damage to occur. The good news is that it’s also one of the easiest things to fix.

If your PS4’s USB cable isn’t working, you’ll need to buy a new one and use it to connect your PS4 controller to the console.

First, make sure that your USB cable is firmly plugged into both your PS4 controller and the console itself. Next, ensure that the PS4 system and controller are active and within range of each other.

Try using a different USB port on the console or using a different USB cable altogether if you’re still having trouble.

 

B. Use A Second Controller

If you don’t find anything wrong with the cable, there might be a hardware problem with your PS4 controller.

In that case, you should connect a separate controller to your PS4. If the new controller works without any issues, then you know that it’s your old one that needs to be fixed. If you don’t own an extra controller, you can always ask a friend or family member if you can borrow theirs for a few minutes.

 

To test a second controller:

 

• Make sure that the second controller is powered on and within range of the PS4.

• You can either connect the controller wirelessly or with a USB cable to the PS4.

• Press the power or PS button on the second controller.

 

If the second controller works, there’s a problem with your first one, and you’ll need to get it fixed or buy a new one.

 

4. Activate Safe Mode

Activating Safe Mode has proved helpful for many PS4 owners with the PS4 white light error. In Safe Mode, your PS4 will boot up with only the most essential features and components, thus reducing the chances of any hardware or software issues.

 

To enter Safe Mode:

 

• Turn off your PS4 completely by holding down the power switch on its faceplate until you see the indicator light turn red.

• Connect your PS4 controller to the console with a USB cable and press the PS button.

• Keep holding down the PS button until you hear two beeps, which should happen within 4-5 seconds.

 

Your PS4 will now enter Safe Mode. Look for the “Revamp Database” option and select it. This will scan your PS4’s hard drive for any corrupted data and attempt to fix it.

 

5. Make Sure The Driver Is Not Corrupt

Problems with the PS4 controller’s functionality, such as the PS4 white light of death, might arise if the PS4 driver is corrupted or outdated. It is possible to resolve the white light issue on the PS4 by updating the drivers.

 

Before you update your PS4 controller’s driver, you must remove the PS4 driver and device from your PC. Your computer will then need to be reinstalled with the latest PS4 driver and the PS4 system.

 

To uninstall the PS4 driver and device:

 

• Connect your PC to your PS4 controller via a USB cable.

• Press the R and Windows logo keys on your keyboard at the same time to open the Run dialogue box.

• Type “devmgmt.msc” in the box and then hit Enter

• Double-click on “Human Interface Devices.”

• Right-click the PS4 device in the Device Manager bar and choose the “Uninstall Device” option.

• Now find Confirm Device Uninstall and check the box next to it.

• Click Uninstall to confirm.

 

After this, restart your PC and use a reliable programming update tool like Driver Downloader to automatically update your PS4 controller’s driver. This is the recommended method as it’s both quick and easy.

 

The latest PS4 controller drivers are also available on the manufacturer’s website.

 

6. Check Internal Hardware Components

If you’ve tried all the methods above and you’re still facing the PS4 white light error, there might be a problem with its battery or internal hardware components. 

 

Here’s a quick guide on how to check your controller’s battery:

 

• Use an eyeglass repair kit to detach the controller’s back screws.

• Gently pull the back panel off the controller to expose its internal components.

• Look for a small battery. It will be located prominently near the top left corner of the motherboard.

• You should wait 20 seconds after removing the battery before replacing it.

• Try turning on your PS4 again after reinstalling the battery.

 

7. Clean The Motherboard

Another way to fix the PS4 white light error is to clean the motherboard. The motherboard can become clogged with dirt, debris, and dust over time.

 

To clean your PS4’s motherboard:

 

• Unplug all the cables from your PS4 and remove its hard drive.

• Dust on the motherboard can be blown away with a compressed air can.

• Use a cotton swab to gently clean the contacts on the motherboard.

• Reattach the hard drive and plug all the cables back in.

 

Your PS4 should now be working properly.

 

Final Verdict – Fixing PS4 White Light Error

The only thing more frustrating than losing a game is losing the whole system. But don’t despair just yet! In most cases, you should be able to fix the PS4 white light error by implementing the steps above.

If you’re still having problems with the PS4 white light, you can contact Sony’s customer support for help. You can also take your console to a nearby gaming store like GameStop for repairs.