What happens when you unplug your PS5

When you unplug your PS5, it loses power completely and shuts down. The console itself is not damaged — unplugging it is safe to do. However, the PS5 needs to go through a startup process before it will connect to your television, internet, and controllers again. This takes a few minutes, and some steps must happen in a specific order or the console will not recognize your devices.

The most common problem people run into is trying to use a controller before the PS5 has finished starting up, or plugging cables back in the wrong way. Both of these will leave you staring at a blank screen. The steps below walk you through the correct order so you avoid that frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug the power cable into the PS5 first, then press the power button on the front of the console — do not press it before the cable is connected.
  • Wait for the PS5 to fully boot up, which takes about one to two minutes and ends when the home screen appears on your television.
  • Make sure your HDMI cable is plugged into the PS5 and into your television before you power on, or you will see no picture.
  • Your controller will not connect until the PS5 has finished starting up, so wait for the home screen before pressing the PS button on your controller.

Reconnect the power cable and HDMI cable first

Before you press any buttons, plug two cables into the back of your PS5: the power cable and the HDMI cable. The power cable is the thick black cord that came in the box. The HDMI cable is the flat, rectangular connector that carries the picture to your television. Both must be seated firmly — push them in until you feel them click or stop moving.

Check that the other end of the HDMI cable is plugged into your television. Many people plug the HDMI into the wrong port on the TV, or forget to plug it in at all. If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, any of them will work, but write down which one you used so you can switch back to it if the picture does not appear.

The power cable plugs into a wall outlet or a power strip. Make sure the outlet has power — if you are not sure, plug a lamp into it to test. Once both cables are connected, you are ready to power on the console.

Press the power button and wait for the home screen

The power button is a small circle on the front of the PS5, near the bottom left. Press it once and release. You will see a light turn on, and the console will begin to start up. This process takes about one to two minutes. During this time, you will see the PS5 logo appear on your television screen, and the console may make fan noise as it initializes.

Do not press any buttons or unplug anything while the console is starting up. If you interrupt the startup, the PS5 may not work correctly. Wait until you see the home screen — a menu with game icons and options — appear on your television. This means the console has finished starting up and is ready to use.

Connect your controller using the PS button

Once the home screen is visible, pick up your PS5 controller. The PS button is the large circular button in the center of the controller. Press and hold it for three seconds. The controller will vibrate and a light on the back will turn on, which means it is searching for the console.

The PS5 will recognize the controller within a few seconds. You will see the controller appear on the home screen, and the light on the back of the controller will stop flashing. At this point, you can use the controller to navigate the home screen and start playing games.

If the controller does not connect, make sure the controller battery is charged. Plug the controller into a USB-C cable connected to a power outlet or computer for at least 30 minutes, then try pressing the PS button again.

Troubleshoot if you see a blank screen

If your television is showing nothing after you press the power button, the most common cause is that the HDMI cable is not plugged in correctly. Unplug the HDMI cable from both the PS5 and the television, wait five seconds, then plug it back in firmly. Make sure you hear or feel it click into place.

If you still see a blank screen, try a different HDMI port on your television. Unplug the cable from the current port, plug it into another HDMI port, and wait 10 seconds. Some television ports stop working over time, so switching ports often solves the problem.

If the television still shows nothing, check that your TV is set to the correct input. Use your television remote to find the input or source button — this is usually on the remote or on the side of the TV. Cycle through the inputs until you see the PS5 logo appear. Once you find the right input, your television should remember it the next time you turn on the PS5.

Check your internet connection

After the home screen appears, the PS5 will try to connect to the internet. You can connect using Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable. For Wi-Fi, go to Settings on the home screen, select Network, then Wi-Fi, and choose your network name from the list. Enter your Wi-Fi password if prompted.

For an ethernet cable, plug one end into the port on the back of the PS5 (it looks like a phone jack but wider) and the other end into your router. The PS5 will detect the connection automatically within a few seconds. An ethernet cable is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi, but Wi-Fi works fine for most people.

You do not need internet to use your PS5 when ready after unplugging it, but you will need it to read games, play online, or receive system updates. If you do not connect to the internet right away, you can do it later from the Settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unplug my PS5 regularly?

No. The PS5 is designed to stay plugged in. You can use the power button to put it into rest mode, which uses very little electricity. Unplugging it is only necessary if you are moving it, storing it, or troubleshooting a problem. Unplugging and replugging it repeatedly can wear out the power port over time.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting after I unplug the PS5?

The controller battery may have drained while the PS5 was unplugged. Charge the controller for at least 30 minutes using a USB-C cable, then press the PS button again. If it still disconnects, try connecting a different controller to see if the problem is with that specific controller or with the console.

Can I plug my PS5 into a power strip instead of the wall?

Yes, a power strip is fine as long as it is not daisy-chained (plugged into another power strip). Make sure the power strip itself is plugged into the wall and turned on. Avoid plugging the PS5 into a power strip that also powers many other devices, because the combined power draw can cause the strip to overheat.

What if the PS5 will not turn on after I plug it back in?

Wait 30 seconds after plugging in the power cable, then press the power button. If nothing happens, try a different wall outlet to rule out a problem with that outlet. If the PS5 still will not turn on, hold the power button for 10 seconds — this performs a hard reset and sometimes fixes startup problems.