‘To fix a corrupted game on PS4, try restarting your console, deleting and reinstalling the game, checking for system updates, or rebuilding the PS4 database.’
Have you ever sat down, ready to dive into your favorite game, only to be met with frustrating errors? It can be incredibly annoying when a game refuses to load. These moments make you consider how to fix a corrupted game on PS4, right?
Don’t worry, it happens to many players. Luckily there are several solutions you can try at home. We will guide you through the common steps to get you back to gaming.
How to Fix a Corrupted Game on PS4
Having your favorite PlayStation 4 game suddenly stop working because of corruption can be super frustrating. It’s like when your ice cream falls off the cone – totally not fun! But don’t worry, it happens to lots of players, and there are many ways to try and fix it. This guide will walk you through the steps to get your game back up and running, just like new.
Understanding Game Corruption
First, let’s talk about what “game corruption” actually means. Basically, it means something went wrong with the game’s data. Imagine a puzzle where some of the pieces got bent or lost. The picture doesn’t look right anymore, and you can’t finish it. Game corruption is similar. It can happen because of several reasons:
- Bad Downloads: If your internet connection hiccups while downloading a game or an update, the files might not download completely or correctly. Think of it like trying to pour juice when your hand is shaky – you’ll spill some, and that’s what can happen with download data.
- Power Issues: If your PS4 loses power unexpectedly while saving game data or installing an update, it can mess up the files and cause corruption. Imagine suddenly turning off the lights when you are writing a story – the last part might be missing, or the letters might be jumbled.
- Storage Problems: Sometimes your PS4’s hard drive might have trouble storing and retrieving data correctly. This could be due to it being almost full, or it might have some bad spots on it.
- Software Errors: Sometimes, the game itself can have a bug or a problem that causes corruption. It’s like a typo in a book – it can make things hard to understand or function correctly.
It’s essential to identify what might be causing the problem because this can affect which solution you’ll need to try. It’s like being a detective, finding the clue and fixing the problem.
Initial Troubleshooting Steps
Before diving into more complicated fixes, let’s start with some simple things you can try. These are often the quickest ways to get your game working again:
Restart Your PS4
This is the first, and often easiest, solution. Just like restarting your computer, this often fixes temporary glitches. To restart your PS4:
- Press and hold the PlayStation button on your controller.
- Select “Power.”
- Choose “Restart PS4.”
After your console restarts, try launching your game again and see if it’s fixed.
Check for Game Updates
Sometimes, game developers release updates that fix bugs that can cause corruption. To see if your game has an update:
- Go to the PS4 home screen.
- Highlight the game you’re having trouble with.
- Press the Options button on your controller.
- Choose “Check for Update.”
If an update is available, download and install it. Then, try playing your game again.
Check Your Internet Connection
A bad internet connection can cause problems with downloaded games. Make sure your PS4 is connected to the internet and that the connection is stable. You can test your internet connection:
- Go to “Settings” from the PS4 home screen.
- Select “Network.”
- Select “Test Internet Connection.”
If the test shows problems with your connection, restart your modem and router, and try connecting again. You can also move the PS4 closer to your router, or you can use an ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
Rebuilding the PS4 Database
If the simple steps don’t work, the next thing you can try is rebuilding the PS4 database. Think of the database like a library catalog. If the catalog is messy or broken, it will be hard to find books. Rebuilding the database reorganizes the system and can fix corruption.
How to Rebuild the Database
This process is done in Safe Mode. Here’s how to access Safe Mode and rebuild the database:
- Turn off your PS4 completely. The light bar on the console should be off.
- Press and hold the power button on the PS4 console until you hear two beeps. This will put the PS4 into Safe Mode.
- Connect your DualShock 4 controller to the PS4 using a USB cable.
- Press the PS button on your controller.
- Select “Rebuild Database.”
The database rebuilding process can take some time, so be patient. After it’s done, your PS4 will restart automatically. Once you are back to the home screen, check if your game is working now.
Important Note: Rebuilding the database won’t delete any of your saved games, but it may change some settings on your PS4. You might need to change the screen size after it’s finished.
Deleting and Reinstalling the Game
If rebuilding the database didn’t fix the corruption, it’s time for a bigger step. Deleting and then reinstalling the game will often fix corrupted files. This is similar to cleaning your toys up and putting them back in their boxes – starting fresh.
How to Delete and Reinstall
- Go to the PS4 home screen.
- Highlight the game you want to uninstall.
- Press the Options button on your controller.
- Select “Delete.”
Once the game has been deleted, you’ll need to reinstall it. If you have a physical copy of the game, insert the disc. If you have a digital copy, go to your library to download it again. After reinstalling the game, try launching it again.
Note: If you deleted a digital game you need to redownload it, and it might take a bit to do so.
Backing Up Your Saved Data
Before you delete the game, it’s a good idea to back up your saved data to keep your progress. You can do this with a USB drive or using PlayStation Plus cloud storage.
Using a USB Drive
- Plug a USB drive into your PS4.
- Go to “Settings” from the PS4 home screen.
- Select “Application Saved Data Management.”
- Choose “Saved Data in System Storage.”
- Select “Copy to USB Storage Device.”
- Choose the game you want to back up and copy the data.
Using PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage
- Make sure you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
- Go to “Settings” from the PS4 home screen.
- Select “Application Saved Data Management.”
- Choose “Saved Data in System Storage.”
- Select “Upload to Online Storage.”
- Choose the game you want to back up and upload the data.
After reinstalling the game, you can restore your save data. Simply follow the same steps and select “Copy to System Storage” when using a USB drive or “Download to System Storage” if you are using the PSN cloud.
Checking Your PS4 Hard Drive
If the issue keeps happening even after reinstalling the game, the problem might be with your PS4’s hard drive. If you suspect that this might be the problem, you can try to test it by doing a test.
Testing Your Hard Drive
While the PS4 doesn’t have a built-in hard drive testing tool, you can use third-party software. If you are not very confident in doing this, seek the help of a professional.
However, it’s also essential to check if your hard drive is nearly full. A full hard drive can slow your system and lead to issues. If your hard drive is full, try to remove some files, like videos or games that you do not use to free up some space.
Replacing Your Hard Drive
If your PS4’s hard drive is causing problems, you might have to replace it with a new one. Replacing the hard drive is not very difficult, but if you have never done something like this before, or if you are not feeling confident, it’s probably better to ask a professional to do it for you.
Other Potential Issues
If none of the fixes above work, there could be other reasons for the corruption:
Hardware Issues
Sometimes, other parts of your PS4 might be malfunctioning. If you have tried every fix in this article, the problem might be more complex and might require the help of a professional.
Game Disc Damage
If you have a physical copy of the game, the disc could be damaged. Scratches or cracks can cause reading errors that look like game corruption. If your disc has marks, you might need to buy a new copy.
Software Conflicts
Less often, conflicts with other software on your PS4 can cause game corruption. If the issue persists with a particular game, the software of the game might have some problem. If that’s the case, the game developer will most likely release a fix in future updates.
Remember, fixing a corrupted game on your PS4 might take a few tries. Be patient, and work through each step carefully. Most of the time, the issue is fixed with the methods described in this article. You’ll be gaming again before you know it!
How To Fix Corrupted Data On PS4 – Full Guide
Final Thoughts
To fix a corrupted game on PS4, first try restarting your console. If the problem persists, delete the game and reinstall it. Often, this action resolves file corruption issues.
Another method involves rebuilding your PS4’s database. You do this through Safe Mode, which often cleans up faulty data. This process can improve system performance as well.
Finally, if none of this helps, you might have a hard drive problem. In such cases, replacing the hard drive or seeking professional repair services becomes necessary. These methods tackle the core problems related to “how to fix a corrupted game on ps4”.
