Safe Mode is the savior of PlayStation users, which is used to resolve most of the common PlayStation issues.
But the situation worsens when you get stuck on the Safe Mode loop and cannot escape.
In this article, I will discuss the reasons behind the Safe Mode loop and show you seven methods to get out of Safe Mode.
Let’s begin!
What is PS4 Safe Mode & Why is PS4 Stuck in Safe Mode?
The Safe Mode of PlayStation 4 allows users to start their console only with the basic functions active. Safe mode is used to solve most of the PlayStation issues by restarting the console, rebuilding the console database, changing the resolution, or restoring the default settings.
The process of getting into the Safe Mode is straightforward. Simply turn off your console by pressing the Power button. Once the console is turned off, press and hold the Power button again for 5-7 seconds, it will get the PS4 into Safe Mode.
But what if your console always boots into Safe Mode and the PS4 doesn’t turn on in normal mode? Most importantly, why is the PS4 stuck in Safe Mode?
Well, several reasons can lead to such annoying problems, such as a damaged power cable, corrupted database, outdated system software, and blocked input ports.
If you are stuck in PS4 Safe Mode, move on to the following section to get out of the Safe Mode.
How to Get PS4 Out of Safe Mode
To get out of the Safe Mode loop of your PS4, select Restart PS4 when in the Safe Mode menu. This will instantly take you to normal mode. However, if it doesn’t work, check the power cable, change the video resolution, rebuild Database, restore default settings, or update the system software.
In the worst scenario, you may need to reinstall the system software by initializing the PS4. However, it will erase everything, including your game files and other data.
Consider the following methods to get out of the PS4 Safe Mode loop within no time.
Here are the methods to get your PS4 out of the Safe Mode:
1. Restart PlayStation 4
Restarting the console is the most simple and straightforward method of getting out of PlayStation Safe Mode.
To restart the console, select Restart the PS4 in the Safe Mode. It will instantly restart the console and boot in normal mode. However, if restarting doesn’t take you to the normal mode and still keeps you stuck in Safe Mode, check your PS4 power cables.
2. Check Power Cables
A damaged power cable cannot provide enough power to the console, and sometimes it is responsible for intermittent power delivery, leading to the PS4 Safe Mode loop.
So, it’s essential to check the power cable. Simply detach the cable and closely inspect for damages and broken pins. Also, check the ports on the PS4 to ensure there is no issue with the cable, ports, or loose connections.
If the power cable is damaged, replace it with a new one. That should resolve the Safe Mode loop and take you to normal mode. If the problem persists, try changing the video resolution.
3. Change Video Resolution
Video resolution is another important fact that can restrict PS4 from displaying the images when set to a higher resolution than your output device.
For instance, if your TV doesn’t support a high resolution set to the PS4, you can encounter a black screen issue and get stuck in Safe Mode.
To change the video output resolution, select Change Resolution from Safe Mode, and set it to 480p. After changing the resolution, check whether you can boot into the normal mode. However, if it doesn’t help, move on to the next fix. 
4. Update System Software
An outdated system software version can lead to several errors, such as Error CE 43461 8, or the Safe Mode loop of PS4.
Though PlayStation automatically searches for the system updates in the background and updates it when needed. Sometimes, it doesn’t work, and you need to update it manually. Perform the following steps to update the PS4 system software.
Here’s how to update the PlayStation firmware in Safe Mode:
- Select Update System Software from the Safe Mode menu.
- Click on Update to download and install the latest firmware.
If your internet is not working or PS4 cannot download the file, you can also download the firmware from the PlayStation website and install it using a USB drive.
5. Rebuild PS4 Database
Rebuilding the PS4 Database can fix the Safe Mode loop without losing data. It also helps in solving other errors like error WC-365475 or error code CE-300227. Go through the subsequent procedures to rebuild the PS4 Database.
Perform the following steps to rebuild your PS4 Database:
- Select Rebuild Database from the Safe Mode menu.
- Click on OK to rebuild the Database.
Depending on your system, the rebuilding process can take up to 30 minutes to an hour. However, my PS4 only takes around 7 minutes to complete the process. This method also helps get out of PS4 Safe Mode without a controller.
Once the rebuilding database process is finished, your PS4 should boot in normal mode. However, if the problem still remains, try restoring the default settings of PS4.
6. Restore Default Settings
You can restore the factory settings of the PS4 from Safe Mode, which will stop the PS4 from starting up in Safe Mode. Check the instructions below to restore default settings.
Follow the steps below to restore PS4 default settings:
- Select Restore Default Settings from the Safe Mode menu.
- Click on Yes to return to the default values.
When the process is finished, restart your console; hopefully, it will boot to normal mode this time. If it doesn’t help, you must reinstall the system software to resolve the PS4 stuck on Safe Mode issue.
7. Initialize System Software
If none of the above methods resolve the issue, the only option remaining for you is to reinstall the console’s system software. Go through the subsequent methods to reinstall system software.
Check the following process to initialize your PS4:
- Download the latest system software from the PlayStation website.
- Format a USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT, create a folder, and name it PS4. Inside the PS4 folder, create another folder and name it UPDATE.
- Paste the downloaded file inside the UPDATE folder and rename it as PS4UPDATE.PUP.
- Plug the USB drive into your PS4 console.
- Turn on the console in Safe Mode.
- Select Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software) in the Safe Mode menu.
- Click on Yes when prompted.
Now the console will reinstall the system software and erase everything. When the process is finished, restart the console, and you will be able to boot in normal mode again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you exit PS4 Safe Mode?
To exit PS4 Safe Mode, restart your console. It will then automatically boot in normal mode. Once it boots in normal mode, you can play your favorite games without facing any difficulties or issues.
Can you reset PS4 in Safe Mode?
Yes, you can easily reset your PS4 in Safe Mode. Go to Safe Mode and select Restore Default Settings from the menu. It will reset everything but keep your data. Besides you can also choose Initialize PS4 to accomplish the same.
Does factory reset PS4 delete everything?
Yes, Factory resetting your PS4 will erase all settings and information saved on the console. This process is irreversible. So, don’t forget to create a backup before performing a PS4 factory reset.
Wrap Up
Before anything else, restart your PS4 to get out of Safe Mode. If it doesn’t take you to normal mode, check the power cables and look for loose connections. Furthermore, you should change the video resolution, update your system software to the latest version, and rebuild the database to fix the Safe Mode loop.
Which method did help you in resolving this annoying issue? Let me know in the comment section below.
