Like all electronic devices, even the famous Sony home console, the PlayStation 4 , needs periodic maintenance. Over time, in fact, there can be many causes of its possible slowdown , preventing the user from fully exploiting all its features. However, by doing some very simple operations, it is possible to speed up the PS4 and also improve the gaming experience. All you need is a little patience and attention in following the various steps proposed throughout the guide.
Content index
- Delete unnecessary games and applications
- Rebuild the system database
- Clean the cache
- Update the software
- Clean the console
- Reset the console
- Upgrade the hardware
Eliminate unnecessary games and applications
Trivially, the first thing to do in case you want to free the PS4 and make it faster, is to free the memory from unnecessary files and games. To do this, all you have to do is follow a few simple steps:
- Find the game or application you want to delete
- Press the Options button on the controller and continue on Delete
To get a complete picture of all the elements installed on the console, you can resort to using the Collection :
- Within the main menu , scroll through the list of apps until you find the Library , then start it
- Next, you will have the list of everything that is installed on the console and you can delete the previous items as described in the previous lines
Rebuild the system database
Another way to improve the performance of your PS4 is to rebuild the system database . In this way, the damaged data will be deleted, while the files will be reorganized to ensure an improvement in performance. This operation is good to do periodically , as it does not affect the bailouts in any way and has beneficial effects.
- Make sure the console is completely off (not in sleep mode)
- Start the PS4 , then, in Safe Mode (hold down the power button and wait for the second beep, a few seconds after the first)
- At this point, let go of the power button
- Connect the controller with the USB cable to the PS4 and press the PS button
- Then press the X key on Rebuild database
- After that, all you have to do is wait for the operation to complete and the console to restart
Clean the cache
The cache is temporary memory that allows you to speed up game loads. In fact, the first time you play a game, some files are stored in the system cache. At first, this matter doesn’t seem to cause problems with the speed of the console; however, over time this data is likely to become corrupted , compromising the speed of the console and, in severe cases, even the proper functioning of the games.
- Make sure the console is completely turned off
- Unplug the power cord for a few seconds (at least 15)
- Next, plug in the cable and turn on the console
- Once inside the PS4 home screen , locate the game you want to start (don’t start it yet)
- At this point, holding down the L1 and R1 keys , start the game by pressing X
- After a few seconds, release the L1 and R1 keys
You can repeat the procedure just described for all the games and apps installed, in order to speed up the console as much as possible.
Update the software
The software updates , as well as contribute to the security of the system, they also preserve the stability and proper functioning. For this reason, whenever an update is available, it is a good idea to run and install it on the console. To verify the presence of any updates:
- Within the main console screen , press the key corresponding to the arrow pointing upwards on the controller
- Then, within the section, go to the notification icon and press the X button on the controller
- At this point, press the Options button on the controller and, on the right side of the screen, locate the item Download
- On the next screen, if any downloads are available, they will be visible and you can manage them according to your needs
Clean the console
Although it may seem unusual, the accumulation of dust inside electronic devices could cause them to slow down or even malfunction . This is because the dust that accumulates in the vents causes the heat to be retained and, therefore, causes the console to overheat . For this reason, it is advisable to periodically clean the device, in order to always keep it in the best conditions. In this regard, I suggest you read our guide, where we explain in detail how to clean the PS4 .
Reset the console
In case you do not have to solve with the operations suggested above, then you could try to restore the console . Obviously, this operation will result in the loss of all data on the PS4. For this reason, in case you want to keep your files / saves, you should save them on a USB stick, after having formatted it in FAT32. To reset the console you will need:
- A computer
- An Internet connection
- A USB key formatted in FAT32 (different from the one possibly used for data backup)
After you have recovered everything you need, you can proceed by following the steps that you will find below:
- On your computer, connect to the official PlayStation site dedicated to downloading system software
- Scroll down the page until you find the PS4 Reinstall File item , then click on it and wait for the download to complete
- Next, go inside the USB key and create a folder called PS4 , in which you will have to create another folder called UPDATE
- Copy the file you just downloaded into the UPDATE folder
- Disconnect the key from the PC and insert it into the console
- Boot the PS4 in Safe Mode (as explained above)
- In the main menu, select Initialize PS4 (reinstall system software) and wait for the operation to complete
Upgrade the hardware
The most “complicated” but also the most decisive method is to update the console hardware . In fact, by replacing the mechanical disk inside the PS4 with an SSD you will immediately notice a significant improvement in performance. The procedure certainly requires some attention, but it is by no means difficult. If you don’t know how to continue, I suggest you take a cue from our guide where we explain how you can replace the PS4 hard disk .
