The three ways to shut down your PS4

You can turn off your PlayStation 4 in three ways: using the controller, the power button on the console itself, or the system settings menu. The controller method is fastest and safest for the console's storage. The power button works when the controller is dead or missing. The settings menu gives you options to rest mode or full shutdown before powering down.

Each method takes less than a minute. None of them will damage your PS4 if you use them correctly. The difference between them matters only if you want to preserve battery life on your controller or if you plan to leave the console plugged in overnight.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the PS button on your controller until a menu appears, then select "Power" and "Turn Off PS4" — this is the standard method and works even if the console is in rest mode.
  • Press and hold the power button on the front of the console for three seconds to enter rest mode, or press it again while the console is resting to turn it off completely.
  • Go to Settings, then System, then Power Saving Settings, then Set Functions Available in Rest Mode to choose whether your PS4 enters rest mode or shuts down when you press the power button.
  • Rest mode keeps your console plugged in and ready to resume when ready, while full shutdown cuts power and saves electricity.
  • Never unplug the PS4 while it is running or in rest mode — always use one of these three methods to avoid corrupting saved data.

Using the controller to power down

Hold down the PS button (the large button in the center of your controller with the PlayStation symbol) until a menu appears on your screen. This usually takes two to three seconds. The menu will show several options including "Power" near the bottom.

Select "Power" with the directional pad or right stick. A submenu will appear with two choices: "Enter Rest Mode" and "Turn Off PS4." Choose "Turn Off PS4" to shut down completely. The console will display a message saying it is turning off, and the light on the front will go dark.

This method works whether your PS4 is actively playing a game, on the home screen, or already in rest mode. It is the safest way to shut down because the system closes all running processes before cutting power.

Using the power button on the console

The power button is a small touch-sensitive button on the front left of your PS4, below the disc slot. Press and hold it for three seconds. The console will beep once and enter rest mode — the light on the front will turn orange or white depending on your settings.

To turn off the console completely from rest mode, press the power button again and hold it for three seconds. The console will beep twice and shut down fully. The light will go dark.

If you press the power button for less than three seconds, nothing happens. If you hold it for more than seven seconds, the console will force a shutdown without saving — avoid this unless the system is frozen and not responding to the controller.

Changing what the power button does

By default, pressing the power button puts your PS4 into rest mode rather than shutting it off completely. You can change this behavior in the system settings so the power button turns off the console instead.

Go to Settings on the home screen. Select System. Select Power Saving Settings. Select Set Functions Available in Rest Mode. You will see a toggle for "Puts the PS4 into Rest Mode." If this toggle is on, the power button enters rest mode. If it is off, the power button turns off the console completely.

Most people leave this setting on because rest mode uses very little power and lets you resume your game when ready. Turning it off means the console takes longer to start up the next time you use it, but saves a small amount of electricity overnight.

Rest mode versus full shutdown

Rest mode is a low-power state where your PS4 stays plugged in and ready. The console uses about 0.9 watts of power in rest mode. You can resume any game or app when ready without waiting for the system to boot up. Downloads and uploads continue in rest mode, and your controller can charge if you plug it in.

Full shutdown cuts power to almost everything. The console uses almost no electricity. Starting it up again takes 20 to 30 seconds. You cannot read games or charge your controller while the console is off, and you will need to wait for the system to load before you can play.

Use rest mode if you plan to play again within a few hours or if you want your console to read updates overnight. Use full shutdown if you will not use the PS4 for several days or if you want to save electricity.

What not to do when turning off your PS4

Never unplug the power cable while the console is running or in rest mode. Pulling the plug can corrupt your saved game files and damage the internal storage. Always use the controller menu, the power button, or the settings menu to shut down properly.

Do not hold the power button for more than seven seconds unless the system is completely frozen. A forced shutdown (seven seconds or longer) closes all programs without saving, which can corrupt data on your hard drive.

If your PS4 freezes and will not respond to the controller, hold the power button for at least seven seconds to force it off. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to restart. The console will run a check on startup, which is normal after a forced shutdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between rest mode and turning off?

Rest mode keeps your PS4 plugged in and uses about 0.9 watts of power. The console stays ready to resume when ready. Full shutdown cuts power and uses almost no electricity, but takes 20 to 30 seconds to start up again. Rest mode is better for short breaks; full shutdown is better if you will not play for several hours.

Can I turn off my PS4 while a game is saving?

No. Wait until the game finishes saving before you shut down. Most games show a save icon on the screen while saving. If you turn off the console during a save, you may lose progress or corrupt the save file. Always check that the save icon has disappeared before using any shutdown method.

Will turning off my PS4 delete my games or saved data?

No. Turning off the console does not delete anything. All your games, saved data, and settings stay on the hard drive. The next time you turn on the PS4, everything will be exactly as you left it.

What should I do if the power button does not work?

Use the controller instead. Hold the PS button until the menu appears, then select Power and Turn Off PS4. If the controller is also not responding, try unplugging the console for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If the power button still does not work after that, the button may be broken and you should contact PlayStation support.

Is it safe to leave my PS4 in rest mode overnight?

Yes. Rest mode uses very little power and is designed to run for long periods. Your console will not overheat or suffer damage from staying in rest mode overnight. Downloads and uploads will continue, and your controller can charge if plugged in.