No matter how brilliant or innovative the craftsmanship may be, no game console lasts forever. Similar to the Xbox 360’s red ring of death, the PlayStation 4 has its own light indicator that informs you of your console’s end of days. This light is known as the white light of death.
The white light of death can indicate a faulty hard drive or motherboard, or a simple HDMI issue. You can fix the issue by booting into Safe Mode to diagnose, although resetting the console is the best, first option for clearing this. If that doesn’t work, you have some troubleshooting to do.
While the PS4’s white light of death can be easy to fix, there are a few cases where you’ll have to seek professional help. Let’s look at what the white light of death means, the reasons behind it, and how you can fix it.
What Is the White Light of Death?
If your console exhibits a white light that doesn’t blink, there’s no need to worry. A solid white light simply indicates that your PS4 (on Amazon) is properly turned on and receiving sufficient power.
However, a white light that continues blinking is a reason for concern. It’s important to note that a blinking white light that eventually changes to solid blue is perfectly normal. Also, if you see a blinking white light while your PS4 is powering off, it’s just part of the shutting-off process.
The problem occurs when your PS4’s white light continues blinking after your console’s been fully switched on, or when it blinks and changes to a blue light. The white light of death indicates a system error, and you’ll need to troubleshoot the console in order to fix it.
What Causes the White Light of Death?
The white light of death can indicate a severe software issue or a hardware failure that’s causing your PS4 to reboot, freeze, or stop working altogether.
Problems that can result in a blinking white light include:
- A faulty hard drive that makes it impossible for the operating system to read data from the drive.
- Unstable connection between the TV and PS4 due to cable damage or HDMI failure.
- A defective PS4 motherboard, resulting in your PS4 being unable to process requests and causing a system failure.
- A faulty PS4 processor. This can cause a system failure because your console cannot function properly if the processor is damaged in any way.
- A declining RAM chip, which results in your PS4 not being able to access data stored on the RAM and causing system failures.
- An overheating console. If your PS4 fan isn’t working properly, it can overheat the console and turn on the blinking white light as a warning.
Your PS4’s white light can also start blinking because of software issues, such as a bad line of code in an app or game. In this case, your console might also shut down to protect the operating system from any further damage.
How to Fix the White Light of Death on a PS4
There are a few things you can try yourself before sending the console to a professional for repair. With these fixes, you can probably fix the white light of death and get your PS4 back up and running without worrying about a hefty repair bill.
Troubleshooting
Before you start fixing the white light of death, it’s important to determine the root cause of the problem. Here are a few things you should try:
Check Cords and Cables
A blinking white light usually indicates a lost TV connection or an HDMI connection issue. It’s advisable to check whether the HDMI cable is connected properly to your console and TV.
It’s best to remove the cable and then inspect it for any damages. If the cable is faulty, replace it and see if the issue persists. Otherwise, connect the cable again carefully and check if the white light stops blinking.
It’s also a good idea to try connecting your PS4 to another TV, if possible, to determine whether the problem lies with your console or your TV.
You’ll need to check the power source as well to see whether it’s affecting the functionality of your console or TV. Make sure you also check the power strip and ensure it’s intact and not damaged in any way.
If you have issues, swap out the HDMI cord with a new one (on Amazon) or, if you determine the problem is related to the power supply, rest assured those are pretty inexpensive (also on Amazon) as well.
You may just need a new power cord (on Amazon). But remember: if the white line is on, your’re getting power to the thing, so, only replace the power components if you find some damage or otherwise prove to yourself that’s the issue here.
Check for Any Hardware Issues
After checking the HDMI connection, you’ll need to inspect the hardware for any signs of damage.
- Check your PS4’s exterior for damage or any indication of a problem.
- Use a T-13 screwdriver to unscrew your console’s top tray and inspect the interior for damage.
- Check other hardware components, such as the hard drive, for any issues. You’ll need a T-13 screwdriver for this step as well.
Clean Your PS4
Dirt and debris inside your PS4 can prevent a few of its hardware components from functioning properly. It’s important to regularly clean your console, especially the vents, fan, and motherboard.
Make sure you completely power off your PS4 and unplug it from the power outlet before starting the cleaning process.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your entire console, plug your PS4 into the power outlet, turn it back on, and check if the white light of death is fixed or not.
Reset Console and Controller
If you don’t notice any signs of damage on your console, you can try resetting the console and controller.
Here’s what you need to do to restart your PS4:
- Hold the Power button on your console to turn it off. Don’t remove any cables or turn off the power while the console is turning off.
- Once the PS4 is completely powered off, disconnect all cables and let the console rest for around 30 seconds.
- Reconnect all the cables, turn the power back on, and check if the problem still persists.
Here are the steps you need to take in order to restart your controller:
- Turn off the PS4.
- Use a soft nib or hairpin to press the small button located at the back of your controller. Hold this button for around 5 to 7 seconds.
- Release the button and connect it to a USB cable.
- Turn your PS4 back on.
Boot Into Safe Mode and Reset the Console (Nuclear Option)
Entering into safe mode can help resolve both external and internal issues in the system. If you’ve tried all the aforementioned steps, Safe Mode can definitely protect your PS4 from any further damage.
Here’s what you need to do to enter Safe Mode:
- Turn off your PS4.
- Hold down your PS4’s power button for around 7-9 seconds or until you hear two consecutive beeps.
- Use a USB cable to connect your controller to the console and then hold down your controller’s PS button.
- This will put your console into Safe Mode. Choose option 7 to re-initialize or factory reset your PS4.
Tips and Tricks
Before you give up on your console, here are a few additional tips and tricks you can try:
Quick Fix
It’s advisable to try the quick fix, as it usually solves most problems. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press your controller’s share button and PS button simultaneously.
- Your PS4 will turn on after a couple of seconds, after which you can check whether the white light is still blinking.
Reinstall controller drivers
Your PS4 may exhibit a white blinking light because of controller drivers. It’s advisable to check whether your drivers are all up to date and that there’s no new update available.
If there’s a new update, you’ll need to download it to ensure your drivers are functioning properly. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Press Win+R to open the run box. Type “msc” in the box and press Enter.
- Right-click on the device and click on uninstall.
- Reconnect your console to your computer. Go to the manufacturer’s website, download the new updated drivers, and check if the problem still persists.
Seek Professional Help
The white light of death can indicate both a minor issue or a serious problem that can irrevocably damage your PS4. However, instead of panicking as soon as you notice the blinking light, it’s advisable to try the simplest solution and then move on to the more technical fixes.
If all the aforementioned solutions fail, it’s important to seek professional help. It’s also a good idea to send your console to a professional for repair if the problem is caused by a faulty HDMI port (i.e. small copper pins in the port are out of place, bent, or missing altogether) or a damaged HDMI IC chip.
While you can buy a heat gun to fix the damaged HDMI port yourself, it’s highly likely that the purchase will lead to damaged circuit traces and more damaged components. That being said, if you’re highly experienced in micro soldering, you should be able to fix the port yourself!