Hey there! Terry here, your friendly neighborhood tech geek and data analysis expert. As an avid gamer and streaming enthusiast, I‘m often researching the latest info on gaming hardware and software. One common question I see popping up on forums and Reddit is how long it takes to fully initialize (factory reset) a PlayStation 4 console.
So in this detailed guide, I‘ll be digging into the PS4 initialization process, what it does, how long it takes, and why you may need to initialize your console. Consider this your PS4 initialization deep dive!
What Does Initializing a PS4 Do?
Let‘s start with the basics – what happens when you initialize a PS4?
Initializing a PS4 erases all user data, settings, installed games/apps, and restores the device back to its out-of-the-box factory settings. It‘s the software equivalent of a complete wipe and reinstall.
Here‘s exactly what initializing a PS4 does:
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Deletes all user accounts and associated saved data, like game progress, settings, screenshots, video clips, etc.
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Removes all downloaded and installed games, apps, themes, and other software.
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Resets system settings to factory defaults.
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Empties the internal storage drive completely.
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Returns console back to Day 1 configuration.
Essentially, your PS4 turns into a blank slate, as if you just unboxed a brand new system.
Initializing is an irreversible process, so any data or digital content not backed up is permanently erased. But it can fix software errors, crashes, and other issues caused by corrupt data.
When Should You Initialize a PS4?
Here are some common scenarios where initializing a PS4 is required or recommended:
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Before selling or gifting your PS4 – To protect personal data and digital licenses.
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Fixing persistent software issues – If you have crashes, errors, bugs, or glitches initializing may help resolve them.
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Clearing storage space – If your PS4 internal drive is full, initializing completely wipes it.
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Set up PS4 for a child‘s account – Creating a fresh start for kid or family accounts.
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Troubleshooting connection issues – For WiFi, PSN and other connectivity problems.
So in summary, initializing is useful when you need to fully wipe your PS4 and start over with a clean slate.
Types of PS4 Initialization
There are two options when initializing your PS4:
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Quick Initialization – Signs out all accounts and deletes user data like games, saves, settings, etc. Does NOT delete installed games and apps.
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Full Initialization – Completely resets everything – user data, installed data, settings, accounts, the works. This is a 100% factory reset.
I always recommend doing a full initialization when wiping your PS4, just to be thorough. Quick initialization leaves installed software behind.
How Long Does Fully Initializing a PS4 Take?
Now onto the big question – how much time should you budget for a full factory reset of your PS4?
The average full initialization takes 2-3 hours to complete. But there are several factors that can affect the total time:
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Amount of stored data – Systems with large game installs and saves will take longer, around 4-5 hours. PS4s with less data may finish in 1-2 hours.
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PS4 model – The Slim and Pro with SSDs are a bit faster than launch models with HDDs.
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Internet connection – Initialization goes faster if connected online for syncing data. Offline takes longer.
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External USB drives – Having these connected slows down the initialization process, disconnect them.
Here are some initialization time ranges to expect:
| PS4 Data Amount | Time Range |
|---|---|
| 500GB+ games, multiple accounts | 4-5 hours |
| Under 500GB used, single account | 2-3 hours |
| Fresh out-of-box system | 1-2 hours |
So in most cases, keep aside 2-3 hours for a full PS4 initialization to complete. I recommend initiating it overnight so it can reset without interruption.
Step-by-Step Guide to Initializing Your PS4
Ready to factory reset your console? Follow these steps:
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Backup your PS4 data – Save important game progress, images, videos, etc to a USB drive or cloud storage. Initialization erases everything, so backup what you need to keep!
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Sign out of all accounts – Under User Management in Settings, sign out of all user profiles on the PS4. This speeds up initialization.
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Disconnect external storage – Remove any connected external USB hard drives or SSDs to prevent them being wiped too.
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Initiate initialization – Go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 > Full to kick off factory reset.
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Confirm initialization – Read the warning prompts carefully and confirm your choice to initialize. This will immediately start erasing data.
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Let initialization complete – The PS4 will restart and initialize over the next few hours. Don‘t interrupt the process or power it off midway!
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Re-install firmware – After initialization, follow the prompts to reinstall system software and set up your PS4 like new.
That covers the basics of resetting your console back to factory settings. Just be patient and let the initialization work its magic for a few hours.
Common PS4 Initialization Questions
Here are some quick answers to frequent questions on initializing PS4 systems:
Does initialization delete games?
Yes, all installed games, saved data, and digital licenses are erased. Be sure to backup your game saves if you need them!
Can initialization fix PS4 issues?
It can resolve many software-related errors, glitches, crashes etc by fully resetting the OS. Worth trying if you have persistent bugs.
Does initialization reset PS Plus?
Your PS Plus subscription is tied to your PSN account, not the console. So it won‘t be impacted or lost.
Do downloads continue after initialization?
No, all downloads will be cancelled and lost, you have to re-download everything afterwards.
Is an internet connection required?
Initialization can be done offline, but takes longer without internet as data can‘t be synced.
And there you have it! Hopefully this detailed deep dive gives you a better understanding of the PlayStation 4‘s full factory reset process. Feel free to hit me up with any other PS4 tips or tech questions. Game on!
