Update the particular game
Developers push updates to their games every now and then to include new in-app purchases, missions, tasks, UI and graphics upgrades, and whatnot. Among the updates, there will be bug patches that resolve previously discovered bugs. Unless you keep on updating the game with the latest patches available, there’s a fat chance that you will end up with a game crashing issue. Thus, updating does help. Here’s how to do it.
- Go to the game library on your console.
- Hover on the game you want to check for updates and tap on it, go to its options and select ‘Check For Updates’. Make sure you are connected to the internet and download the update (if available).
- If the problem persists, the next thing you can do is to uninstall/delete and reinstall the game.
Reinstall the game
You either have a digital game or a game stored on a disc on both PS4 and PS5. This means you can delete and download the game for a digital title while a game on the disc requires uninstallation and reinstallation from the disc. Note that this method works the best if a specific game or a few ones are crashing abruptly but not other games and the system itself.
If it’s a digital game:-
- Go to the Game Library of your console, proceed to Options and select the game that you want to sack.
- Tap on Delete and there you go.
- Go to My PlayStation >> Game Library >> Purchased.
- Now, download the game that you want to and install it.
- Link the game you want to with either PS4 or PS5 and you are done.
If it’s a game on a disc:-
Since you are using a disc-based game, you don’t have to do much stuff here. Simply search for the game in the library and hit the Delete button. You can save data on the game if you want for later. Since you already have the game on a disc, put the disc in the drive and you can play it anytime.
Play from the beginning
Both consoles let you save progress as the game saves at certain points in the game. This means you can join the exact moment you left the next time you want to play the game. However, if the game saves is corrupted, this will cause the game to crash as well. Try playing the game from the beginning and check if it makes any difference.
Update the PS4/PS5 system software
- Every time a game crashes, there’s either hardware or the software behind it. Let’s tackle the software part here. Note that you need to keep the system software up to date as it does make sure your games run smoothly on the console. Here’s how you can do it.
- First up, go to Settings >> System >> System Software >> System Software Update and Settings.
- Next up, enable both “Download Update Files Automatically” and “Install updates Files Automatically”.
- Next, select the option “Update System Software” and select “Update Using the Internet”. You should get a list of updates available on both PS4/PS5.
- Once you get an update available, download it and install and that’s all.
Alternatively,
- You can use the option “Update from USB Drive” and use a pretty extensive set of instructions to update the system.
Fix the overheating issue
Your PlayStation console is running games which is a pretty resource-drenching and heavyweight workout for machines. Overheating is one of the many potential issues on consoles, and unfortunately, you might be witnessing the game on your PS4 or PS5 gaming consoles.
Several things can trigger overheating issues, be it poor airflow, dust, and debris inside the vents, heavyweight graphics rendering for a longer duration, and so on. To check whether your console is overheating, see if the console is too hot to touch and if there’s hot air blowing out of the vents. Overheated PS will also make loud noises since the cooler will have to do more work. The side-effects of overheating can be seen in-game such as with frame drops and stutter to name a few.
- You should place the console in a clean and cool space with ample room around it.
- Check if all vents are clear, and use a cloth to clean the surface for any dust buildup.
- Even if you are playing high-octane AAA titles, restrict gaming for a shorter time with intervals in-between to get the temperature back to normal.
Rebuild Database
If you ever encounter PS4/PS5 game crashing issues, you can try rebuilding the database. This process scans through the system to find and fix corrupted files and errors.
- Turn off the PlayStation (4 or 5).
- Press and hold the power button for a few seconds and release it when you hear two quick beeps.
- Once you are in Safe Mode, connect the controller using the USB-A slot.
- Scroll to “Rebuild Database” and click on it. The option is #5 on both PS4 and PS5.
- Check if the game that would crash abruptly is working now or not.
This is practically the swiss army knife of troubleshooting methods. If there’s any speck of software glitch or issue left, performing a factory reset will do wonders in clearing it out.
To do a factory reset on PS4: Go to Settings >> Initialisation >> Initialize PS4. Repeat the instructions mentioned on the screen.
To do a factory reset on PS5: Go to System >> System Software >> reset Options >> Reset Your Console.
Note that You can use Safe Mode to Reset PS4/PS5 as well.
Reach out to PlayStation Support
If you can’t seem to rule out what’s causing the problem and most importantly, if the game crashing issue is happening because of a unique issue, you can reach out to PlayStation Support. The folks can help you fix the issue with resolutions specifically targeted to your console after narrowing down the culprit.
If there’s a hardware issue, well, you will have to contact PlayStation Support and get it fixed. You can report it to a local service center though, although I wouldn’t recommend it. Make sure you have a description of what’s wrong along with a screenshot or video when reaching out to the Support team.
Closing Words
This was an extensive piece on how to fix the PS4/PS5 game crashing issue that a lot of users have complained about for a long time now. Hope these troubleshooting methods help you in fixing the issue. You can always reach out to us when it does or if it doesn’t.
