How to defrag a PS4 Hard Drive
Do you remember the last time you performed a PS4 hard drive defrag? If your answer is a no, then you probably are missing out on some performance improvements on your PS4.
Just like your computer and other electronic devices, a PS4 needs cleaning too. Over time, files on the hard drive become fragmented and disorganized which leads to performance issues.
PS4 hard drive defrag is just a cleaning and organizing process, which will increase the efficiency of your PS4.
It does not remove any files you will not loose any data.
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PS4 Hard Drive Defrag - how to guide
When should you perform hard drive defragging?
It is often recommended that you should defrag your hard drive every month. But obviously, this is not something every other person can do efficiently.
So, you should always do a hard drive defrag whenever:
- The game loading process starts getting slow.
- You start facing disc drive issues i.e., not reading a disc.
- Game navigation gets slow on the menu.
- Stuttering game issues particularly during cut-scenes.
- Issues with accessing DLC.
- Having trouble installing add-on contents, especially when there is free space.
- Corrupted files and random crashing in extreme cases.
Why should you defrag the PS4 hard drive?
Defragging the hard drive is always a good decision as this will make the performance of your PS4 better.
This process rebuilds the database and deletes all the unused and corrupt files. Do keep this thing in mind that it will delete only those files which are no longer in use and are of no good even if you keep them in your hard drive.
These unused files not only take up space on your hard drive, but they are indexed by the PS4, meaning each time your PS4 needs to access the hard drive (which is all the time) it will need to skip the files slowing down access to the actual files your PS4 needs.
How to defrag the PS4 hard drive in easy steps
To defrag the hard drive on your PS4, you need to boot into Safe Mode. Don’t worry, it is not half as scary as it sounds.
Follow the following steps:
- Turn off PS4 using the power button on the front of the device.
- Hold the power button down and wait until two beeps. This process usually takes seven seconds.
- Connect PS4’s Dual Shock controller to the console with some USB cable.
- From the Safe Side menu, choose option five, ‘Rebuild Database’.
- This process can take several hours so don’t turn the console off during this entire process.
- The screen may turn black too which is completely normal, so don’t panic.
Once the process is complete, your PS4 is clean and optimized. It is good to use now.
Things to keep in mind
While doing performing a PS4 hard drive defrag, keep the following things in mind:
- The process of defragging will only clean your PS4. It is not meant to delete or remove any of your files. But if you are still sceptical about doing it you can always backup your data on some hard drive.
- Do not press initialize PS4 accidentally from the safe mode menu. It will wipe all your data from PS4!
- Some users have noticed drastic changes in the working efficiency of PS4 after rebuilding the database.
PS4 hard drive defrag error
Defragging the hard drive is good for the efficient working of PS4.
But sometimes some hard drives fail to defrag altogether. If you do hit a problem, your PS4 will display an error code or a written message saying that it has failed to defrag.
This error signifies an issue with the hard drive. This could mean your hard drive is starting to fail, so it is best to get the hard drive replaced as soon as possible.
Any finally..
Game consoles, like all other devices, need to be cleaned now and then, we recommend at least once a month depending on how often you game.