PlayStation 5 is Sony’s latest gaming console with a 4K Blu-ray drive, fast SSD storage, ray tracing graphics and a redesigned DualSense controller. But sometimes you want to turn it off properly for many reasons, e.g., to save power, to fix a frozen game, before a software update or because the system has been on for hours.
Quick fix. Most people use the power button and that is wrong. It puts the console into Rest Mode, not Off. Real shutdown takes one more step.
This easy guide will help you turn off your PS5 properly by showing you all three shutdown methods, explaining the difference between Rest Mode and Off, and helping you avoid the data corruption bug that hits some Rest Mode users.
Rest Mode vs Off vs Restart
Real talk. Most PS5 users do not realize there are three different power states.
- Rest Mode is sleep. Console keeps power for downloads, controller charging and instant resume. White light blinks then stays solid orange.
- Turn Off is full shutdown. No power draw. Light goes out completely.
- Restart PS5 reboots the system. Useful when a game freezes or the dashboard glitches.
Different situations need different choices. Off is the safe one when in doubt.
Method 1: Turn Off PS5 from the Quick Menu (Easiest)
This is the fastest way. Three button presses and done.
- Press the PS button on your DualSense controller. Quick Menu opens at the bottom.
- Navigate left to the Power icon.
- Select Turn Off PS5.
- Wait until the light goes completely dark.
Done. Console is fully off. No power draw, no Rest Mode background activity.
Method 2: Turn Off PS5 from the Control Center
If your controller is dead or you want a different path:
- From the home screen, navigate to your profile icon at the top right.
- Scroll right to the Power icon.
- Select Turn Off PS5.
Same result. Console powers down. Skip that 50-step process people post online.
Method 3: Turn Off PS5 with the Power Button
Heads up. The power button on the front of the console does NOT just turn it off. Default behavior is Rest Mode.
To force a real shutdown:
- Press and hold the power button on the front of the PS5.
- Wait until you hear two beeps. The first beep is Rest Mode. Keep holding.
- After the second beep (about 7 seconds), the console fully powers off.
Light goes out completely. Full shutdown.
How to Change Default Power Button Behavior
You can set the PS5 to power off (not Rest Mode) on a short power-button press. Faster shutdowns.
- Go to Settings > System.
- Select Power Saving.
- Choose Features Available in Rest Mode > Stay Connected to the Internet: OFF.
Now Rest Mode is basically off. Power button = real shutdown.
What If PS5 Will Not Turn Off
Sometimes the console freezes and ignores power commands. Happens after a buggy game.
Force shutdown.
- Hold the front power button for 10+ seconds until the system shuts down hard.
- If even that fails, unplug the power cable. Wait 30 seconds. Plug back in.
- Boot to Safe Mode (hold power until second beep) and select Rebuild Database if it keeps freezing.
Force shutdown is safe occasionally. Do not make it a habit.
My Honest Opinion
I leave my PS5 in Rest Mode most of the time. Faster game launches, charges the controller overnight. But once a week I do a full shutdown to clear cache and avoid the random crash bugs that hit some users.
If you have had a corrupted save or random crashes, switch to full shutdown every time. Skip Rest Mode entirely. Some 2021 PS5 firmware had a bug that ate save files in Rest Mode. Fixed now but I do not trust it 100%.
Final Thoughts
Turning off PS5 properly takes three button presses. PS button. Power icon. Turn Off PS5. Done.
If you only use the front power button, hold for the second beep or change power settings so a short press does full shutdown.
Also, if you follow our steps and still face difficulties turning off your PS5, seek help from PlayStation support or leave a comment in the comment section of our blog.