How to Reset Ps4 to Factory Settings without Password (2024)

Resetting your PS4 to its factory settings is a great way to clear out any problems you might be experiencing and start fresh. However, if you’ve forgotten the password to your account, you might feel stuck. In this article, we’ll walk you through different methods on how to reset your PS4 to factory settings without a password.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A fully charged DualShock 4 controller
• An HDMI cable
• A monitor or TV with an HDMI port
• A USB drive with at least 1GB of free storage space

What Requires Your Focus?

Resetting your PS4 to factory settings without a password is a bit more involved than simply resetting it with a password. You’ll need to follow some specific steps, and pay close attention to the instructions, to make sure you complete the process successfully.

Different Methods to Reset Ps4 to Factory Settings without Password

Method 1: Using Safe Mode

If you’re unable to log into your PS4 with your password, you can try booting your console into Safe Mode to access the reset options. Here’s how:

1. First, turn off your PS4 completely by holding the PS button on your controller until the power options menu appears and selecting "Turn Off PS4."
2. Once your console is off, press and hold the power button on the console for around 7 seconds. You’ll hear a beep, and then a second beep after about 7 seconds. Release the power button after the second beep.
3. Connect your DualShock 4 controller to the console using a USB cable, then press the PS button on the controller to turn it on.
4. You’ll see the Safe Mode menu on your screen. Select "Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)" to factory reset your PS4. This will erase all data on your console, restore the PS4 to its original state, and attempt to reinstall the system software.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the factory reset process.

Pros:

• You don’t need to know your password to access Safe Mode.
• This is the easiest method to factory reset your PS4 without a password.

Cons:

• You’ll lose all of your saved data and settings.
• This method can take some time to complete.

Method 2: Via the PlayStation Website

If you’ve forgotten your PSN account password, you can reset it on the PlayStation website and then use it to reset your PS4. Here’s how:

1. Go to the PlayStation website and click "Sign In."
2. Select "Trouble Signing In?" beneath the "Sign In" button.
3. Enter the email address associated with your PSN account and click "Continue."
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to reset your password.
5. Once you have your password, turn on your PS4 and log in using your PSN account.
6. Go to "Settings," then "Initialization," and select "Initialize PS4."
7. Select "Full" as the initialization method, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the factory reset process.

Pros:

• You’ll be able to reset both your PSN account password and your PS4.
• You’ll only need to wipe your PS4’s hard drive if you want to.

Cons:

• Resetting your PSN account password can take some time.
• You’ll need to log into your PS4 with your PSN account, which may not be possible if you’ve forgotten your account’s password.

Method 3: Using a USB Drive and Update File

If you don’t want to lose your saved data and settings, you can use a USB drive and an update file to reinstall the system software and reset your PS4. Here’s how:

1. Go to the PlayStation website and download the latest system software update file onto a USB drive.
2. Insert the USB drive into your PS4 and turn it off.
3. Once your console is off, press and hold the power button on the console for around 7 seconds. You’ll hear a beep, and then a second beep after about 7 seconds. Release the power button after the second beep.
4. Select "Update System Software" from the Safe Mode menu using your DualShock 4 controller.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to reinstall the system software from the USB drive.

Pros:

• You won’t lose any saved data or settings.
• You don’t need to log into your PSN account.

Cons:

• This method can take a long time to complete.
• You’ll need to download the update file onto a USB drive, which can take some time and requires an internet connection.

Method 4: Using a Random Letter or Number as the Password

If you don’t mind losing your saved data and settings, one quick way to reset your PS4 without knowing your password is by entering a random letter or number as the password. This will cause the console to lock itself out for 30 minutes and then allow you to reset it to factory settings. Here’s how:

1. Enter an incorrect password on your PS4 multiple times until you see the message "Forgot Your Password?"
2. Select "Forgot Your Password?" and then select "Yes." You’ll receive a message stating that you’ll be locked out for 30 minutes.
3. Wait 30 minutes, then turn on your PS4 and follow the on-screen prompts to reset it to factory settings.

Pros:

• You can reset your PS4 without a password.
• This is the quickest way to factory reset your PS4 without a password.

Cons:

• You’ll lose all of your saved data and settings.
• You’ll be locked out of your console for 30 minutes.

Why Can’t I Reset Ps4 to Factory Settings without Password?

There are several reasons why you might not be able to reset your PS4 to factory settings without a password, including:

• You don’t have physical access to the PS4, so you can’t follow the reset instructions.
• You’ve forgotten your PSN account password and can’t log into your PS4 to initialize it.
• You’ve set a passcode on your PS4, and can’t remember what it is.

If you can’t remember your PSN account password, you can reset it on the PlayStation website. If you’ve set a passcode and don’t remember it, there’s unfortunately no way to reset your PS4 without it.

Implications and Recommendations

If you’re resetting your PS4 to factory settings without a password, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• You’ll lose all of your saved data and settings, so make sure you back up anything important beforehand.
• Resetting your PS4 will also log you out of your PSN account, so make sure you have your account information handy when you log back in.
• If you’re having issues with your PS4, resetting it to factory settings may not necessarily resolve the problem. Consider reaching out to Sony’s customer support team for further assistance.

5 FAQs about How to Reset Ps4 to Factory Settings without Password

Q1: Can I reset my PS4 without a USB drive?

A: If you don’t have a USB drive, you can still reset your PS4 by booting it into Safe Mode and selecting "Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)." However, this will erase all data on your console, so make sure you back up anything important beforehand.

Q2: Will resetting my PS4 delete my PlayStation Plus subscription?

A: No, resetting your PS4 to factory settings won’t affect your PlayStation Plus subscription. However, you’ll need to sign in to your account again to access your subscription benefits.

Q3: Can I reset my PS4 without turning it on?

A: No, you’ll need to turn on your PS4 to reset it to factory settings. If your PS4 won’t turn on, try troubleshooting the issue before attempting to reset it.

Q4: Can I reset my PS4 without losing my saved game progress?

A: If you want to keep your saved game progress, you can try using a USB drive and an update file to reinstall the system software and reset your PS4 without deleting your saved data. However, this method can take longer than simply resetting your PS4 to factory settings.

Q5: Can I reset my PS4 without my PSN account password?

A: If you’ve forgotten your PSN account password, you can reset it on the PlayStation website. Once you have your new password, you can log in to your PS4 and reset it to factory settings.

Final Words

Resetting your PS4 to factory settings is a great way to clear out any issues you might be experiencing, but it can be tricky to do without a password. By following the methods we’ve outlined in this article, you should be able to reset your PS4 and start fresh, no matter what your password situation is. Just remember to back up anything important before you begin.