Fix PS5 Slow Startup with These 7 Easy Steps

2 weeks ago

2 3 minutes read

How To Fix PS5 Slow Startup-the-tech-verge

Does your PlayStation 5 take forever to load? Frustrating, right? Whether you’re gearing up for a heated session of Spider-Man: Miles Morales or just want to jump into Netflix, a sluggish start can be a real buzzkill. Thankfully, you’re not alone—and more importantly, this issue is fixable. Let’s walk you through how to fix PS5 slow startup, using practical and safe methods that won’t void your warranty.

Why Your PS5 Startup Is Slower Than Usual

The PS5 is a high-powered machine, but even the best tech can slow down. Usually, the lag is due to one or more of the following culprits:

Overloaded storage
Firmware bugs or outdated system software
Corrupt game or app data
Background processes running nonstop
Power supply inconsistencies

While these causes may sound technical, resolving them is easier than you think.

Restarting the Console Can Fix PS5 Slow Startup

It sounds too simple to be true, but a restart often does the trick. Much like a PC, the PS5 benefits from a clean boot. A restart clears temporary system cache and can terminate stuck processes that may be bogging things down.

Steps to restart your PS5:

Hold the PS button on your controller.
Select Power > Restart PS5.
Let it reboot naturally—no force shutdowns here.

Freeing Up Storage Can Help Fix PS5 Slow Startup

The PS5 starts to lag when it’s short on space. If your console’s storage is nearly full, it slows down performance—particularly at startup. Sony recommends keeping 10–20% of your storage free.

What you can delete:

Old or rarely played games
Saved gameplay clips
Screenshots
Unused apps

Also, consider moving games to an external SSD. Not only does it improve startup time, but it also declutters your internal drive.

Update System Software to Fix PS5 Slow Startup

Outdated firmware can lead to sluggish behavior. Sometimes, Sony releases critical patches that improve performance. If you haven’t updated in a while, this could be your fix.

How to check for updates:

Go to Settings.
Select System > System Software.
Click System Software Update and Settings.
Choose Update System Software > Update Using Internet.

This method ensures you get the latest bug fixes directly from Sony.

Rebuild the PS5 Database via Safe Mode

Rebuilding the database reorganizes the internal drive, fixing corrupted data and indexing issues that often slow startup.

To do this:

Turn off the PS5 completely.
Hold the power button until you hear a second beep (about 7 seconds).
Connect your controller using the USB cable and press the PS button.
In Safe Mode, choose Option 5: Rebuild Database.

This process may take some time, but it doesn’t delete your data. It simply optimizes the drive’s performance.

Disable Unused Features to Fix PS5 Slow Startup

Features like auto-syncing saved data, background app refresh, or even auto-login can delay startup.

Disable unnecessary features:

Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings
Turn off Auto-Sync Saved Data
Head to Users and Accounts > Login Settings, and disable Log In to PS5 Automatically

Reducing what runs in the background gives your system more breathing room, thus improving speed.

Factory Reset: The Last Resort to Fix PS5 Slow Startup

If you’ve tried everything and your PS5 still crawls at startup, a factory reset might be the solution. Be cautious—this will wipe everything.

Steps:

Go to Settings > System > System Software
Click on Reset Options
Select Reset Your Console

Be sure to back up your saves via cloud storage or an external USB before proceeding.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Slow PS5 Startup Ruin Your Game Time

With just a few tweaks, you can drastically improve your PS5’s startup speed. Whether it’s freeing up space, updating firmware, or simply restarting the console, these methods are safe and effective. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to apply these fixes—and you’ll save time and avoid headaches by following them.

2 weeks ago

2 3 minutes read