Home >> Internet Games >> PlayStation 3

How to Fix a Bricked PS3 That Won't Turn On

If your PlayStation 3 is bricked and won't turn on, you don't necessarily have to contact support. You may be able to fix it yourself using the Safe Mode menu, sometimes called the Recovery menu. Safe Mode is available on all PS3s running system software version 2.5 or later. Safe Mode gives you a variety of reset options for restoring the PS3 to normal working order, from changing the settings to factory defaults to wiping the entire system and starting over from scratch.

Instructions

- 1
  Hold down the "Power" button on the PS3. After a few seconds you will hear a beep. Keep holding the button and it will beep a second time.
- 2
  Release the button when you hear a third beep and the PS3 will power off.
- 3
  Press and hold "Power" again. You will hear the first two beeps, but the third beep is replaced by two consecutive beeps.
- 4
  Release the button when you hear the consecutive beeps, and the PS3 will display a message asking you to connect the controller.
- 5
  Plug the USB cable that came with the system into the controller. Plug the other end into one of the USB ports on the front of the console. Press the "PS" button on the controller and the PS3 will display the Safe Mode menu.
- 6
  Choose your reset option in the following order. If the PS3 still won't turn on, repeat Steps 1 through 5 to return to the Safe Mode menu and select the next option on the list.
- 7
  Select "Restore Default Settings" first. This option resets the system settings, but doesn't erase any data.
- 8
  Select "Restore File System" to rebuild system files. This option deletes corrupted files on the console's hard drive, but does not affect other files.
- 9
  Select "Rebuild Database" to rebuild the system files and wipe media files. This option deletes messages and playlists, and erases certain information from photos and videos.
- 10
  Select "Restore PS3 System" as a last resort. This option formats the PS3's hard drive and erases all data on the drive, including media and save game files. After performing a restore, the PS3 is back to the state it was when you took it out of the box.

PlayStation 3