Performing a factory reset on your PS5 can be necessary when you’re troubleshooting issues or preparing your console for resale or transfer. We understand that not everyone has access to their controller at all times. Fortunately, resetting your PS5 without a controller is entirely possible.
We can employ alternative methods such as connecting a USB mouse or keyboard to navigate through the console’s settings. Moreover, there’s also the option to use your smartphone as a means of control with the PS Remote Play app, which can mimic the functionalities of a controller. These paths to resetting your PS5 ensure you’re not left stranded even if your controller is lost, unresponsive, or charging.
It’s essential to back up your data to an external drive before initiating a factory reset because this process will completely erase all the data stored on your console. Initiating a factory reset restores the console to its original settings, effectively wiping all users’ data, games, and settings. Being equipped with this knowledge, we are prepared for the reset process, ensuring we don’t lose any valuable information or progress.
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Preparing for Factory Reset
Before resetting your PS5 without a controller, it’s critical that we safeguard our data and understand the reset process to avoid any unintended data loss. This ensures that we can restore our PS5 to its original state without losing personal content.
Backup Important Data
- Go to Settings > System > Backup and Restore.
- Choose Back up Your PS5.
- Connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to your PS5.
- Follow the prompts to save your data onto the connected device.
Step 2: Backup to PlayStation Plus Cloud (if subscribed)
- Navigate to Settings > Application Saved Data Management.
- Select Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage.
- Choose the specific games to back up and select Upload.
Understanding Factory Reset Options
- Connect the keyboard or mouse to the PS5’s USB port.
- Press the Windows key or Alt+Tab to access the home screen if you’re not already there.
- Access the Settings menu using the keyboard’s arrow keys and Enter.
- Select System > System Software > Reset Options.
- Choose Reset Your Console.
- Confirm the reset to initiate the process.
Executing a Factory Reset Without a Controller
We can reset a PS5 console without a controller by using external peripherals or accessing the console’s Safe Mode.
Using External Peripherals
We can utilize external peripherals such as a USB keyboard or mouse to initiate a factory reset. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Connect a wired keyboard or mouse into the PS5’s USB port.
- Navigate through the PS5 dashboard using the arrow keys or mouse pointer.
Steps to reset:
- Proceed to the Settings menu.
- Select System > System Software > Reset Options.
- Choose Reset Your Console and confirm.
Make sure the USB peripherals are working before attempting the reset to avoid any interruptions.
Accessing Safe Mode
Safe Mode allows us to perform a reset directly from the console’s boot menu without needing a controller. The Safe Mode menu offers different options to troubleshoot and repair your PS5.
| Action | Description |
| 1. Turn off the PS5 | Ensure the console is completely shut down and not in Rest Mode. |
| 2. Press and hold the power button | Release after you hear the second beep, about seven seconds after the first. |
| 3. Connect the USB keyboard | Use the USB port to connect the keyboard and navigate the menu. |
| 4. Select ‘Reset PS5’ | This will reset your PS5 to its factory settings. |
Utilize the arrow keys on the keyboard to move through the Safe Mode options. It’s important to back up any important data before selecting ‘Reset PS5’, as this will erase all the data on the system.
Post-Reset Setup
Once you’ve successfully reset your PS5, setting it up again is the next step. We’ll guide you through reinstalling the system software and restoring your data so you can get back to gaming as swiftly as possible.
Reinstalling System Software
- Acquire the latest PS5 system software from the PlayStation website using a computer.
- Store the update file on a USB drive formatted to FAT32 in a folder named “PS5” and within that, another folder named “UPDATE”.
| Reinstall Steps: |
| Connect the USB drive to your console’s USB port and select “Settings” from the PS5 menu. |
| Navigate to “System Software Update and Settings” > “Update from USB Storage Device” > “OK”. |
| After the installation, the PS5 will restart with the fresh system software. |
Restoring Backed-up Data
- Make sure the external storage with your backup is connected to the PS5.
| Restore Steps: |
| From the PS5 home screen, go into the “Settings” menu. |
| Select “System” > “Back Up and Restore” > “Restore PS5.” |
| Choose the backup you wish to restore from and select “Restore.” |
Make sure to follow the on-screen instructions, and your PS5 will restart once all data is restored. External peripherals like controllers should be recognized by the system if they were previously paired before the reset. With these steps, we can initialize the console and enjoy a fresh gaming experience without losing our valuable data and settings.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When we encounter issues during the factory reset process of our PS5 without a controller, it’s crucial to address them methodically. Initially, ensure the console is powered on. If it doesn’t respond, we might need to perform a hard reset by holding the power button for about 15 seconds until the console shuts down. Then, restart it to see if the problem persists.
Intermittent Power Issues:
If the issue is with powering on, it could be a simple power supply problem. Make sure all cables are securely connected and the power outlet is functioning properly. A power cycle could resolve this by disconnecting the power cable for a few minutes before reconnecting it.
In cases where we can power on the console but cannot access the reset options due to the absence of a controller, using an external keyboard is a quick solution. Plug in the keyboard and use it to navigate through the default settings to find the reset options.
Reset Options Not Working:
Sometimes the reset options may not initiate properly. If this happens, we should check any connected storage devices for corruption or damage as they might interfere with the reset process. Removing all connected external devices can simplify the process, allowing us to try accessing the reset options again with fewer complications. If these steps do not resolve our problems, we could be dealing with a software issue that may require assistance from PlayStation support.