One of the most common and frustrating issues on the PlayStation 4 is the so-called “black screen of death,” or BSOD. This unfortunate phenomenon can happen before your console boots up or randomly while you’re gaming. Although the BSOD sounds pretty frightening, it may only indicate minor malfunctions.
Your PS4 may show a black screen due to display issues, faulty connections, peripheral errors, software glitches, or hardware malfunctions. Troubleshooting this problem is easy and only takes a few minutes. Start by turning everything off and on to figure out when the screen goes black.
Sometimes the black screen of death issue can be resolved by changing the power cables or display settings. It can also be resolved by reconfiguring the software or fixing hardware malfunctions. Let’s look at the options so that you can get back to gaming in peace.
Why Is My PS4 Screen Black?
There are multiple causes for the black screen of death on the PlayStation 4. Display issues, faulty connections, peripheral errors, software glitches, and hardware malfunctions can all cause your console to act up.
Defective HDMI Cables
Cables with tears, frays, moisture damage, or other issues can cause your PS4 to show a black screen.
Monitor Incompatibility
Monitor incompatibility and damage can also cause your PS4 to show a black screen. Your PS4 might not start or work properly if your monitor isn’t compatible with your console.
Gaming Peripherals Issue
Although unlikely, gaming peripherals and accessories can cause screen malfunctions. Third-party accessories may cause overheating, software issues, or hardware malfunctions.
HDCP Problem
Another possible reason for black screen problems on your PS4 is enabled High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). This feature is in place to protect digital content from unauthorized duplication when data is being transmitted through a few types of connections.
HDCP issues are likely to happen when your PS4 is running apps and games.
How to Fix Your PS4’s Black Screen Of Death
PlayStation 4s can encounter black screens before the PlayStation logo screen and afterward. The timing of the issue warrants different troubleshooting methods and solutions.
Black Screen Before the PS Logo
If your black screen occurs before the PS logo appears, try these fixes:
Confirm the Monitor Is Working Properly
Your display or monitor is likely the culprit if you receive a black screen before the PS logo. This could be a connection issue, compatibility problem, or the monitor itself isn’t working properly. Here’s how you can begin troubleshooting this issue.
- Check to see that the monitor is receiving enough power and that it’s turned on. Look at the cables and outlet for any damage or issues.
- Disconnect the monitor from your PS4 and turn it on and off. If the screen boots normally and shows diagnostic details, you can be sure the display and power cables are working usually.
- Try connecting the monitor to a different console, device, or outlet. You can also use a separate power cable to see if that’s the issue.
- You can also open the onboard screen settings and adjust the brightness to see if that’s the reason for the black screen. You should also check if the monitor is using the right input while in the settings menu.
If you aren’t sure how to access your monitor’s settings/onboard menu, be sure to check with the manufacturer or support website.
Check the PS4 and Monitor Connections
Video issues are one of the most common causes of the PS4 black screen of death. Lack of video output will result in a black screen, regardless of the underlying issue.
To resolve this, check the physical aspects of your console and monitor. Ensure the cables are correctly connected to the outlet and HDMI ports. Look for damage, frays, or other wear and tear.
Try disconnecting the video signal cable from both, reconnect, and hit the PlayStation button on your controller to determine if the screen starts to work as expected.
Check the PS4 Itself
You should also ensure that your PS4 is working properly. Turn off the PS4 entirely by powering it off, unplugging all the cables, and waiting 2-4 minutes before rebooting. From there, you can power it back on and see if the display is working correctly.
Troubleshoot the Internal Hard Drive
Internal hard drive errors can also cause black screens. If your PS4 fails to find the internal hard drive, a short text will appear reading “Checking system storage status,” then the screen will go black. This is an indicator of a much more serious issue and will need to be resolved.
Disconnect Accessories
Third-party accessories and peripherals can be another reason for the black screen of death or a frozen state.
Be sure to disconnect any and all peripherals, including headsets, hard drives, Bluetooth devices, and other USB connections. You may also need to remove the PS4 controller to troubleshoot adequately.
After you’ve disconnected everything, restart the console. If your components work as expected, one of your peripherals is causing the problem. You can decipher which device is causing issues by reconnecting them one at a time until the issue reoccurs.
When you figure out which accessory is causing issues, disconnect the device and restart the console. You can reach out to your device manufacturer or Sony for additional assistance.
Determine the Beep Information
You can also identify and troubleshoot the beep code if you experience one before the PS icon. Beep codes can indicate minor problems or serious issues. You can find a list of PlayStation error codes here.
Black Screen After the PS Logo
You’ll need to do a bit more troubleshooting if you experience black screens after the PlayStation icon while playing games, or randomly throughout your session.
Overheating Issues
You may experience a black screen of death due to overheating issues. When your PS4 is overheating, you may notice a red indicator light. This isn’t a good sign and should be handled accordingly.
- If you notice a red indicator light or feel that your console is getting too hot, turn it off immediately to let it cool down.
- You can also move your PS4 to a well-ventilated area or change its position. Avoid storing your console in cramped spaces or on carpet to avoid overheating.
Unfortunately, the red indicator light indicates more severe complications and you may need to service your console to get it back in working condition.
Fix Your PS4 Hard Drive
Your console’s internal hard drive could be the cause of black screens. Hard drives degrade over time, resulting in poor performance and malfunctions. Thankfully, the problem is fixable if your PS4 can boot up past the load screen. You can visit the PlayStation support page to start troubleshooting this issue.
Rebuild the PS4 Database
If you experience a black screen after the home screen, your database might be corrupted. Rebuilding your console’s database is a crucial step to resolving random errors and glitches. Here’s how you can rebuild the PS4 database:
- Hold down the power button until your PS4 turns off.
- Keep holding the power button down until your PS4 enters Safe Mode. You’ll know you’ve entered Safe Mode after hearing a beep.
- Press the PS button on your controller.
- You’ll see the options Change Resolution, Rebuild Database, and Restore Default Settings.
- Select either Rebuild Database or Restore Default Settings.
- Select Restart.
Rebuild Database won’t delete anything unless there’s a corrupted game file. Restore Default Settings will delete all data not backed up on the Cloud, so use this solution only as a last-ditch effort to fix your PS4.
Initialize Your PS4
If none of the solutions above resolves your issue, you may want to initialize your PS4 and re-install the system software from scratch. Keep in mind that this process will completely wipe your console clean and delete any data that isn’t backed up.
To do so, follow the steps above, but instead of choosing Rebuild Database, select Initialize PS4.
How to Prevent the Black Screen of Death on Your PS4
Black screens of death can be an indicator of minor errors or serious underlying issues. Thankfully, you can avoid this problem by practicing your due diligence and ensuring your PlayStation 4 is appropriately maintained. Here are some general tips for proper PS4 care:
- Ensure your monitor is working and compatible with your console.
- Check for any damages to the cables, ports, or power connections. Look for any dust, debris, or other damages.
- Make sure any peripherals aren’t causing the issue by disconnecting them and troubleshooting them one at a time.
- Ensure your PlayStation 4 is adequately vented and receives enough airflow to avoid overheating issues.