PS4 slim turns on for two seconds then nothing
just got a PS4 slim from the thift store! however, after turning it on, it beeps and the blue light comes on for about 2 seconds before it turns off. Nothing happens and it won't beep/turn on again unless I unplug it and plug it back in.
is this a sign of some kind of hardware failure like the power supply or something else? is it possible to put in safe mode? I tried a trick where you unplug it, hold the button for 15 seconds, then try again but still nothing.
I was planning on taking apart and cleaning it as well but I'd like to know if it's some kind of hardware issue or a more easy fix. thank you so much for any advice here :)
crwdns2934109:0crwdne2934109:0
crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0
0
The behavior described is a hardware fault. A PS4 Slim that powers on for ~2 s with a beep and blue light, then shuts off and won’t restart without unplugging, points to one of these:
Power supply failure (PSU) → Common on thrifted units. The system trips protection and cuts out.
Motherboard short / APU fault → If the PSU is fine but the system immediately shuts down, the mainboard may have a short or a failed APU.
HDMI/drive issues unlikely → Even with a bad HDD or HDMI port, the PS4 normally stays powered on and shows safe mode.
Safe mode not possible → Because it shuts down before initialization, you cannot reach safe mode.
Steps before teardown:
1. Test with another known-good power cable.
2. Remove the HDD and try to boot (it should still stay on and show error). If it still shuts off, the HDD is not the cause.
3. Open and clean dust, check for liquid or burn marks on PSU and board.
4. If possible, swap in a tested PS4 Slim PSU.
crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0 Markus Norstrøm crwdne2934271:0
If it still cuts out with a known-good PSU, the fault is likely the mainboard (often BGA failure on APU or shorted component). That’s usually not worth repair unless you reball or replace the board.
crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0 Markus Norstrøm crwdne2934271:0
thank you so much! I'll be taking it apart later after work and I'll try that. I heard some power supplies aren't compatible with each other, if that's the issue should I try to buy the exact one I have?
crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0 Laney crwdne2934271:0
@laney49870 Correct. PS4 Slim units have different PSU models depending on revision. They are not all interchangeable.
The model number of your PSU is printed on the sticker (ex. ADP-160CR, ADP-200ER).
Match the form factor and connector type exactly. Even if the wattage looks similar, the mounting holes and plug alignment differ between revisions.
Used replacements are usually available on eBay or AliExpress. Prices are moderate compared to a mainboard.
So yes—if PSU is the issue, buy the same model that is in your unit.
crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0 Markus Norstrøm crwdne2934271:0