I bet that in your spare time you like to immerse yourself in long hours of play with your PlayStation 4 ! I understand you, there is nothing better than relieving the tension of the long hours of school or work with a good game of your favorite game. But something is wrong lately, and it’s more than just a feeling: system and game load times seem excruciatingly slow, don’t they?
I’m sure the day you bought the PS4, the console was fast and responsive, but now you feel like something is putting the brakes on it. The PS4 is showing obvious signs of slowness and, therefore, you would like a hand to solve the problem. Am I right? Then I am happy to announce that you are in the right place at the right time!
Below, I’ve prepared some tips for you on how to speed up your PS4 that should be right for you. You will find some simple tricks that serve to optimize the operational functions of the PS4 resulting in improved loading times. When you have to do some more delicate operations, I will notify you well in advance, calmly. So grab your controller and get ready for action. Happy reading and good luck for everything!
Index
- How to speed up PS4
- Clean out cache and outdated files
- Rebuild the system database
- Reset the console
- Clean the console
- Install an SSD
- How to speed up your PS4 connection
- How to speed up the PS4 internet
- How to speed up PS4 downloads
How to speed up PS4
Like any technological device, the PlayStation 4 also needs periodic maintenance works . There is nothing wrong with carving out a few hours, maybe once a month, to clean and take care of your console. On the contrary, I’m sure that after doing it, it will be natural for you to repeat it in the future just to avoid problems like the ones that now make your PS4 go slow.
But what are the maintenance operations to be carried out, in a more or less ordinary way? I’ll explain it to you right away. Below you will find several “tricks” and tips to speed up the PS4 , regardless of the model used (Fat, Slim or Pro): some are very simple and not at all invasive, others, more drastic and to be implemented in the most “desperate” situations , require the deletion of all files in the console memory, however don’t worry: I will notify you when the case is needed.
Clean out cache and outdated files
When you play a game for the first time on PS4, some fundamental files of that game are stored in a temporary memory, the system cache . These files allow the PS4 to boost the performance of subsequent uploads.
However, it can happen, for various reasons, that the cache data gets corrupted. In the worst case scenario, corrupt files in the cache can even prevent a game from running correctly on PS4, returning a nice “Error Code” at launch.
To clear the PS4 cache and allow the generation of new game files, follow these small steps. First make sure the PS4 is turned off (not sleep mode). If it is on, press and hold the PS button on the PS4 controller, until you see the quick menu appear on the screen. From the menu items, choose Shutdown> Shut Down PS4 (if you have any doubts or problems, read my tutorial on how to shut down PS4 ). With the system off, you need to reach the back of the PS4 and unplug the power cable for at least 15 seconds, then you can plug it back into the PS4.
With the cable plugged in, you can turn on the console by pressing the controller’s PS button once . When you see the list of users, choose your profile , to access the system menu. Finally arrived in the menu, you can use the directional buttons of the controller, left and right , to move through the tiles of the games and applications until you select the game you want to start. Don’t start it though!
Instead, dwell on it, hold down the L1 and R1 keys of the controller and at the same time press X once to start the game. You can let go of L1 and R1 at the game’s first introductory titles.
This procedure clears the cache for that specific game, allowing new optimal files to be cached. You can try this procedure with any games or applications that seem to be “slow”.
If your PS4’s memory is fully saturated, it could slightly impact overall performance. If so, you can try to free up some space by uninstalling games you don’t use frequently. To find out how, read my guide dedicated to the subject.
Rebuild the system database
The database rebuild tool included with PS4 removes corrupted data and reorganizes all system files improving the overall performance of the console. This “trick” can be performed periodically, is not invasive and does not delete personal data. You can rest assured!
To proceed with the rebuilding of the database you need to start the console in Safe Mode . If you don’t know how to do it, follow these steps carefully: when the console is completely off (not in sleep mode, attention), keep your finger resting on the power button of the PS4 (the one located on the front of the console). You will hear a “beep” (classic ignition sound): wait until you hear a second “beep” and then immediately release the power button.
You will be able to see a screen that will ask you to press the PS button on the controller. Then press the key in question and you will be able to navigate in the Safe Mode menu using the up and down arrows on the pad.
Go down now and press the X button on the item
- Rebuild Database
, then wait for the process to finish. It could take a few minutes or an hour or more (depending on the amount of data to be processed): in any case, make sure you don’t interrupt the process and let the console work.
Reset the console
If you don’t get a performance improvement even with rebuilding the database, you could try this other procedure: restore the PS4 with a reinstall of the operating system. This procedure will delete all data on the console, so I suggest you make a copy of photos, videos and above all game saves on a USB stick formatted in FAT32. This way you can restore them after the restore is complete.
To follow this procedure you need a computer , a USB stick with at least 2GB of space and an Internet connection . If you have it all, let’s go! First you need to download the PS4 reinstallation file to your computer. Then connect to the official PlayStation site and click on the PS4 Reinstall File button . Doing so will start downloading a file called PS4UPDAT.PUP , weighing about 1GB (so it may take some time to get it).
While you wait for the download to finish, you will have a few seconds free, I suppose. Then connect a USB stick to the computer and format it in FAT32 (if you don’t know how to do it, follow this guide of mine ). This will, of course, erase all files on the drive.
At the end of the procedure, open the File Explorer (if you use Windows) or the Finder (if you use macOS) and open the newly formatted USB stick , selecting it from the left sidebar. Next, right-click on an empty spot in the window and, from the context menu, choose the New Folder option . Rename, therefore, the new folder created in PS4 (in capital letters), enter it, click with the right mouse button on an empty spot in the window and choose the New folder option again from the menu that is proposed to you.
An additional folder will be created: rename it UPDATE (always in uppercase) and copy the PS4UPDAT.PUP file you downloaded from the Sony website into it. Once the copy is complete, you can disconnect the USB stick from your computer (make sure you do this correctly ) and connect it to one of the USB ports on the PS4 .
Now that everything is ready, start the PS4 in Safe Mode , holding down the power button and release it only after the second “beep” (as seen in the previous chapter ). Once in the Safe Mode menu, choose the item number
- Initialize PS4 (reinstall system software)
and wait for the system to complete the clean installation of the operating system.
Clean the console
How many times have you taken a look at the back of the PS4? Have you ever checked if, right back there, the vents from which the air of the cooling system comes out are free or blocked by wads of dust ?
Over time, the PS4 tends to accumulate dust both in the vents and in the vents. The accumulation of dust helps to retain heat and, in the long run, this could cause the console to overheat – resulting in decreased performance.
This condition also risks compromising the correct functioning of the internal components of the PS4; that’s why it’s important to do constant maintenance and clean your console from time to time. Find all the details on how to clean the PS4, inside and out, in this guide of mine dedicated to the topic.
Install an SSD
The PS4, as you may already know, is sold with an internal mechanical disk memory (the classic hard disk, often abbreviated to HDD ). I first tried to replace my PS4 HDD with a 1TB SSD and the result was that I got a reduction in game loading times with an average of 4 seconds . Let me give you a precise example, in one specific case, the Just Cause 3 game took 12 seconds less to restart a mission!
This trick is certainly the most effective method to speed up a PS4, valid for all console models, so whether you want to speed up a PS4 Slim , a Fat or a Pro , I recommend that you take it seriously in storage.
But I must confide that it is also a rather invasive method, because you will have to open a part of the console and replace the disk present in it. However, know that this does not invalidate the warranty and it is not as difficult as you might think: if you want to try it, follow my guide dedicated to the subject.
How to speed up your PS4 connection
If you are experiencing slowness in online play , lag and small (but frequent) disconnections , I think it’s time to optimize the connection on PS4 and, coincidentally, it just happens to be a bean!
I know what it means to be interrupted in the middle of an online challenge, or to lose contact with your team. In a decisive co-op game phase, you can’t afford to have a hiccup connection. So take a look at the next chapters, where you will find some tips that I think may be useful to you.
How to speed up the PS4 internet
As you well know, the Internet line is a service that we cannot tamper with or modify. Let me explain: if your line can deliver up to 30Mb / s, that will be the maximum achievable limit; you can’t push it any further, however you can fine-tune your router and PS4 settings to make the most of all available bandwidth.
If you want to know how, follow my detailed guide on the subject. Also, if your problem is strictly related to ping (therefore to latency times), I suggest you read this other guide of mine which explains in a very simple way how to lower this value on PS4.
How to speed up PS4 downloads
Have you ever arrived home with the unbridled desire to play your favorite game on PS4 and, right at that moment, a mandatory update from several GB prevented you from doing so? How long does it take your PS4 to download an update? Much? And how long does it take to download an entire game in digital version? An abyss?
I fully understand how you feel and, luckily for you, I have some tips for you to speed up downloads on PS4 . As mentioned in the previous chapter, you cannot change the provision of the Internet line, but if you have a discreet connection there are several tricks that you can put into practice to take advantage of all the bandwidth provided.
If you have even 10Mb / s available, you can use them all up to the last: try to follow my guide that explains just how to speed up downloads on the Sony console.
