It seems that the most recent firmware update for the PlayStation 4 is causing some issues with players trying to boot the console back up after installing it. These downloadable software patches are a common occurrence for fans of Sony’s console, with the majority of them dealing with minor issues that most players seldom notice.
The more noteworthy of these updates serve to add additional features to the PS4, like 2016’s 3.50 patch that added PC remote play. Another update from last year was rumored to give players the ability to give digital games as gifts and track in-game trophy progression, although nothing came of the former. The most recent PlayStation 4 update, 7.50, was released earlier this week and didn’t provide anything quite that grand, instead merely making a few minor enhancements to the PS4’s performance as Sony prepares to make the transition to its upcoming next-gen video game console, the PlayStation 5.
As reported by VG24/7, the PS4’s most recent update, 7.50, has caused some consoles to fail to start up again after installation. Some players report their systems shutting down, restarting, and then shutting down again in an infinite, repeated loop, while others only see a black screen as their console turns on but doesn’t transmit a signal to their TV set. In addition, there are also reports of an issue with the console’s Blu-Ray drive installing, although that reportedly isn’t new to the PlayStation 4’s recent 7.50 update and seems to have more to do with the drive itself.
This could prove problematic for some players, as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is forcing many to stay home and play more video games instead of going out, a practice which has even gained endorsement from the World Health Organization. Online game retailers like Steam and Epic Games have been offering up more free downloads than usual in recent months to accommodate this, and even Sony itself is starting to give away hit titles like Journey and The Uncharted Collection as part of their new Play At Home Initiative.
Still, free games don’t mean much if the players can’t get their consoles to boot up, hence the growing issue with the PlayStation 4’s 7.50 update. So far there isn’t any real fix to the problem, save for booting up the affected console in Safe Mode via holding down the power button for ten seconds and trying to reset the system from there, but hopefully a better solution comes soon so players affected by these new issues can get back to enjoying their PlayStation 4 games.
