PS4: “Too Many USB Devices Connected” Fixed By Experts
One of the most frequent error messages encountered by PS4 users is the notorious prompt that reads: “Too Many USB Devices Connected” This error can be incredibly exasperating, particularly when no USB devices are actually connected to the PS4. Consequently, users find themselves at a loss as to how to proceed in such a situation, resorting to restarting the PS4 and hoping for a stroke of luck on their subsequent attempts.
On the other hand, this error occurs when connecting a USB device that the PS4 system has conflicts with. Consequently, that leads the PS4 to freeze up and stop working.
Before trying to fix this error, lets learn more details about it.
Why Does This Error Occur?
The error message: “Too Many USB Devices Connected” on PS4 occurs due to several reasons:
- An abrupt logical (programmatic) error within the PS4 system itself. This can be caused by a faulty game/application file, or simply, just some PS4 system files got corrupted. This situation happens to all systems, whether on computers or game consoles.
- A sudden electric surge that negatively impacted the functionality of the PS4 USB ports. That results in the confusion of reading the signals coming from the PS4 USB ports causing the system to think there’re too many USB storage devices connected.
- Using a USB hub with the PS4 and connecting too many USB devices to it.
- Connecting a defective PS4 controller to the USB port, which sends corrupted signals to the system that can’t properly understand.
- A defective PS4 USB port that generates electrical shorts once any USB device connects to it. Accordingly, the PS4 system will realize there’s an issue with the USB connection, therefore this error message appears.
- A malfunctioning USB connector of the USB device might be a cause for this situation.
These are the most common reasons for this error. So, let’s learn now the suggested methods to fix it.
Fixing “Too Many USB Devices Connected” Error
Fixing this error can be way too easy and quick that any average user can carry out. On the other hand, it can also be difficult and need a specialized technician to fix it. We just hope that your case is classified under the “easy-to-fix” title.
Turn Off the PS4 then Turn It On Again
This is the easiest and quickest solution here. It will eliminate all sorts of electric shocks that might generate that error.
What you have is the following:
1. Turning Off the PS4
- Select (Power) from the function screen, and then select [Turn Off PS4].
- Select [Power] > [Turn Off PS4] on the quick menu.
- Press and hold the power button for at least 7 seconds (until the system beeps twice).
When you turn off your system, the display darkens, the power indicator blinks white, and then turns off.
2. Disconnect All USB Devices
This is mandatory. After completely turning off the PS4, you have to leave all PS4 USB ports free while trying to fix this error. So, remove all USB devices that are currently connected to the PS4, whether it’s the controller, VR, external HDD or whatever.
3. Unplug the Power Cable
The next step is to unplug the PS4 power cable from the electric socket. Note that it doesn’t suffice to just switch off the socket power. You have to unplug the cable as well.
Now, leave your PS4 for around 30 seconds before plugging the power cable back and turning it on.
4. Turn On the PS4
You can turn on your PS4 system in either of the following ways.
- Press the power button.
- Press the PS button on a paired controller.
The power indicator blinks blue and then turns white to let you know your system is on.
5. Connect the USB Devices to PS4 One By One
Now, if everything seems fine so far, start to connect the USB devices one by one. Once you connect one of them, go and use it and see whether it operates properly or not. Keep working on it for 5 minutes. If it works fine without an issue, connect the next device and just do the same, until this message shows up.
Now, you discover which USB device is responsible for this error. If it’s the PS4 controller, try to reset it. Otherwise the faulty USB device either needs maintenance or replacement.
Rebuild the PS4 Database
When the PS4 database becomes corrupted, weird errors occurred, such as this one.
In order to rebuild the PS4 database, you have to follow these simple steps:
- Reboot the PS4.
- Login to Safe Mode.
- Choose Option #5.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Full Initialize the PS4
The PS4 system files might become damaged/corrupted due to several reasons. Once this happens, you could get the “too many USB devices connected” error, as a result of this situation.
But whatever the reason is, you have to eventually initialize the PS4 and reinstall the PS4 system software from scratch.
Note that this operation will wipe off all your data. It’s strongly recommended to take a backup first if you have important data stored.
Additionally, you have to download the full installation package of the PS4 system software on a computer and save it on a USB storage device (i.e. flash memory or an external HDD).
Reinstalling the PS4 System Software
Please carefully follow these steps in order to successfully get a fresh and clean copy of the PS4 system software.
- Download the official PS4 firmware
Head to your PC and download the latest system software from the PlayStation website. You’ll also need an external hard drive with a USB connection or a USB flash drive to transfer the update to your PS4. Grab an external hard drive or USB flash drive with about 1.1GB Mb of free space. - Create a new folder on your USB device and name it PS4
Inside that folder, create a folder and name it “UPDATE” in all caps. Save the firmware file into the “UPDATE” folder and you should be good to go. Make sure the file is named “PS4UPDATE.PUP” when you save it. - Boot up your PS4 in Safe Mode
Do it as described above by fully powering down your PS4 and then holding the power button until it beeps twice and boots to Safe Mode. - Choose Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software) on your PS4
Just follow the prompts. The console will wipe all data including system software, and then require you to plug in the USB device you saved the update to in order to reinstall the system software. When that’s done, your PS4 will be returned to factory settings.
Now, restart the PS4 and check whether you still get the “Too many USB devices connected” error message or not.
If you still get it, please try the next method.
Repair the Faulty Hardware
If nothing above works, most probably it’s a faulty hardware that causes the whole issue. You have to run several tests in order to figure out which one is it.
If no USB device is connected to the PS4 and you still get this error despite your attempts to fix it, it means the PS4 itself needs maintenance. It can be the USB port or even the motherboard. Only a technician can fix that for you.
If the error occurs only when you connect a USB device to the PS4, either the USB connector is defective, the USB device, or even the PS4 USB port. A savvy can discover the exact source of failure by doing varied tests on the PS4 and the USB devices.
Don’t forget to switch between the USB ports with the same USB device. Sometimes this works and it helps also knowing where the error comes from.
Conclusion
Error message: “Too Many USB Devices Connected” indicates that there’s something wrong going on with your PS4. You’ll be really lucky if one of the three methods above can resolve it. But if it’s a hardware issue, here you have to suffer.
In any case, if you have done your best to resolve this issue, yet it still persists, you must take your console to a technician.
PS4 “Too Many USB Devices Connected” Error FAQ
How do I get rid of too many USB devices on my PS4?
Does connecting too many USB devices cause problems?
Yes, connecting an excessive number of USB devices can lead to problems on your gaming console.
How do I fix too many USB devices on my ps5?
How do I fix my PS4 controller that won't connect?
If your PS4 controller won't connect, try resetting the controller by pressing the reset button located on the back of the controller. Then, connect it to the PS4 using a USB cable and press the PlayStation button to establish a connection.
I’m having issues with a PS4 Pro that keeps displaying the message “too many usb devices connected” even after I tried some of the solutions suggested by Sony chat helpers, such as rebuilding the database, initializing the ps4, and disconnecting all cables from the PS4 Pro.
Begin by booting your PS4 into Safe Mode and logging in with your controller’s Bluetooth connection. Unplug your device’s power cord after the main menu has fully loaded. Then, restart it in Safe Mode and select the option to rebuild the database. This step could take several hours.
I really need help. I can’t charge my controllers anymore so my ps4 is unplayable.
Begin by booting your PS4 into Safe Mode and logging in with your controller’s Bluetooth connection. Unplug your device’s power cord after the main menu has fully loaded. Then, restart it in Safe Mode and select the option to rebuild the database. This step could take several hours.
I’m having problems with a PS4 Pro that keep getting this message “too many USB devices connected” after I did some possible solution that the sony chat helpers gave me like rebuilding the database, initializing the ps4, and disconnecting all cables on the PS4 Pro
Start by starting your PS4 in Safe mode and signing into your account via the Bluetooth connection on your controller. Disconnect the power chord from your device once the main menu has fully loaded. After that, restart it in safe mode and choose to rebuild the database. This process can take a few hours.
I tried almost everything(without Initilize ps4).If I want to go to a technician so he can fix it how much would it cost me.
Its sad that “this” is one of the most common problems from playstation, because this is the most annoying thing.
My Controller keeps disconnecting all the time and this is because playstation wouldn’t move a finger to change anything.
If I need to pay too much for this I will say no.
My frind tho said you can buy extra usb ports for 20€ and then it will work is it true tho ?
He had the same ass problem and it works for him now.
Hi Dani,
In most cases, it is a software-related issue (your PS4 USB card is malfunctioning due to system file conflicts). You can’t really be sure what causes this issue unless you fully initialize your PS4 and reinstall the PS4 system software from scratch. If the problem still persists, it’s definitely a hardware issue. There might be a sort of electrical short in one of the USB card circuits that causes that issue. I suggest that you thoroughly clean your PS4 as it helps in such a situation.
You said your controller keeps disconnecting, that is a strong indication that there is a sort of failure in the USB card, but again, try to initialize your PS4 first.
The USB hub your friend suggested might work with your controller not the external HDD. It won’t work always, but in your friend’s case, it worked because the problem might be in the USB port itself not the card. So, don’t rely too much on what he said.
How much would it cost? Well, it depends on what your technician will do. He will most probably replace the USB card with a new one, so it might cost you in total $30 or so.
I suggest that you try everything before taking your console to a technician. If you wait for him to figure out what the problem is, he will charge you too much. But if you tell him directly to replace your USB card, it will take much less (just the price of the card and his little efforts).
Hi Dani,
In most cases, it is a software-related issue (your PS4 USB card is malfunctioning due to system file conflicts). You can’t really be sure what causes this issue unless you fully initialize your PS4 and reinstall the PS4 system software from scratch. If the problem still persists, it’s definitely a hardware issue. There might be a sort of electrical short in one of the USB card circuits that causes that issue. I suggest that you thoroughly clean your PS4 as it helps in such a situation.
You said your controller keeps disconnecting, that is a strong indication that there is a sort of failure in the USB card, but again, try to initialize your PS4 first.
The USB hub your friend suggested might work with your controller not the external HDD. It won’t work always, but in your friend’s case, it worked because the problem might be in the USB port itself not the card. So, don’t rely too much on what he said.
How much would it cost? Well, it depends on what your technician will do. He will most probably replace the USB card with a new one, so it might cost you in total $30 or so.
I suggest that you try everything before taking your console to a technician. If you wait for him to figure out what the problem is, he will charge you too much. But if you tell him directly to replace your USB card, it will take much less (just the price of the card and his little efforts).
you did not address the following:
Using a USB hub with the PS4 and connecting too many USB devices to it.
how do you get the PS4 to recognize multiple usb devices connected to a single port.
example I am trying to run usb cord to controler and USB headphones with built in MIDI for increased sound output for near deafness to a usb hub connected to left USB port. While a hard drive is connected to the other usb port. for 3 total devices connected via 2 USB ports on the PS4. . .
The only two things that won’t work on a USB hub with PS4 are: Storage devices used as extended storage and PSVR. Other devices like speakers and controllers can work flawlessly with PS4 if connected through a USB hub.
You can read more on this issue here.