PS4 USB Ports Not Working | Fixed by Experts
Have your PS4 USB ports stopped working? To fix this, you need to diagnose the root of the problem. In fact, when your PS4 USB ports suddenly stop working, the problem can always be tracked down to either a hardware or software failure. Some of these problems are the same across all game consoles, while others are unique to just one or the other.
Why PS4 USB Ports Not Working
There are several reasons why a USB device is not recognized when you connect it to the PS4 USB port. You might think then the problem is in the PS4 USB port whereas it might be the USB device you’re connecting. You could have a damaged device, or there could be a problem with the port itself. It could be:
- Physical damage to the USB port
- Corrupted PS4 system software
- PS4 has difficulty detecting USB devices due to reasons outlined below
Don’t freak out just yet! In most cases, PS4 USB ports not functioning is an easily fixed problem. First, you’ll need to discover whether it’s the USB device or the port itself that is malfunctioning.
Fixing PS4 USB Ports Not Working
Before suspecting the PS4 USB port of being unfunctional, let’s start with the obvious: are you sure you’re not dealing with a damaged USB device? First, check the device to see if it is damaged in some way. Make sure to look carefully at the connector. If you don’t see any damage to the device and don’t find any non-physical damage, test it on your computer to see if it works. If it does, then you know you probably have an issue with the PS4 USB port itself.
If you don’t have a computer, but you do have an extra flash drive laying around, or any other USB device, then try plugging that in before you move on to anything more complicated.
If your other device works just fine, then you’ll know that your ports are in good working order. In this case, you may need to fix or replace the device that failed to connect.
Once you make sure that the USB device is working properly after connecting it to a computer or another game console, and that the PS4 USB port you’re connecting the device to is the culprit, let’s try different methods in order to work around this issue:
1. Restart your PS4.
Sometimes you get lucky, and the easiest solution ends up fixing the biggest of problems.
If restarting doesn’t do the trick and still the PS4 USB ports not working, then you’ll want to move on to more complicated fixes.
2. Look for debris in the USB port.
PS4 USB ports are wide open whenever you don’t have a device plugged in so it’s easy for debris, like dust or food, to get wedged inside. As a result, the PS4 USB ports won’t work properly or at all.
If you see anything stuck inside, turn off your PS4 and gently remove the obstruction with a thin plastic or wooden implement like a toothpick.
In some cases, a product like canned air can be useful in blowing obstructions out of a PS4 USB port. Just be careful not to shove the obstruction further in.
3. Check for loose or broken internal connections.
One way to test this is to insert your USB device into the unfunctional PS4 USB port and then gently wiggle the connection. Do not be rough while doing this; you could damage it further or break your device’s connector. If it briefly connects and disconnects, then there is a physical problem with either the cable or the PS4 USB port.
If you feel a great deal of movement when you gently wiggle the USB connector, that indicates it may be bent or broken off the board. And while it is sometimes possible to fix this type of problem, you’re probably better off taking it to a professional.
4. Try a different PS4 USB port.
All PS4 models have more than one USB port, so a good way to rule out a single broken port is to unplug your USB device and try it in different ports. You have to make sure of using an already-tested, working USB device.
If your device starts working when plugged into different ports, then the first port probably has a physical problem that needs to be fixed. In this case only a technician can help. Take your PS4 to a repair shop for this purpose.
5. Swap to a different USB cable.
USB cable failures are more common than USB port failures, so make sure to swap in a different cable if you have one handy. If your device suddenly starts working, then you know that the problem was a broken wire inside the other cable.
6. Update PS4 System Software
The Ps4 USB ports driver files might have compatibility issues with newly installed app/game. Updating the PS4 system software to the latest version may help resolve this issue.
7. Rebuild PS4 Database
Rebuilding the database of PS4 can resolve so many performance issues in the PS4 system (read more on the benefits of rebuilding PS4 database).
8. Initialize the PS4
Your PS4 USB ports might be functioning properly physically, but the system drivers that manage these ports might be corrupted. The only way to work around this issue is to fully initialize the PS4 and reinstall the PS4 system software from scratch.
9. Check for any power issue
If your PS4 has been subjected to a sudden power outage or surge, that might have impacted the functionality of the USB ports. Moreover, a faulty PS4 power supply or a damaged PS4 power cord can also have the same result.
You better get the assistance/advice of a well-versed technician here to figure out the real cause of this problem.
Conclusion
After trying all the tips above and the PS4 USB ports are still not working, it might be a serious hardware issue that stops the PS4 USB ports from working, such as a broken USB card. Only a technician can help here by replacing the USB card with a new one. This might be somewhat costly, but unfortunately it’s the only solution in this case.
Recently my PS4 USB port just randomly stopped working.
If your PS4 USB isn’t working, it’s because of a file system restriction. Sometimes it’s because your USB is in NTFS format, which PS4 doesn’t support. PS4 can only recognize and read the exFAT and FAT32 file systems.
Okay, so every time I attach my brand-new Sony Playstation 2.0 headphones, they randomly disconnect and reconnect. It occurs frequently. It operates without a hitch on a PC. The problem occurs when I use both wired and wireless, despite the fact that I have properly configured them.
Change the charging port for the PS4 controller. The only solution is to replace the charging port if you discover that it is loose or damaged. To accomplish this, you must disassemble the controller, remove the charging port board’s screws, and cut the ribbon cable that links it to the main board
I tried doing everything but the usb storage is not connected is not connected can you tell me why please and I’m trying to update the PS4 9.03 update please tell me why
Your PS4 system data is most probably corrupted which affected the functionality of your PS4 USB ports and you need to fully initialize it.
When I use a charger in my USB port it works perfectly fine, but when I use a mouse, keyboard or even a USB / Hard drive, it doesn’t work at all
Tell us first when did this happen to you (after what action?) Have you, for example, updated your PS4 system to the latest software version then this happened? Please provide us with more details so we can better help you.
Am I missing something?
The following suggestions…
2.6 6. Update PS4 System Software
2.7 7. Rebuild PS4 Database
2.8 8. Initialize the PS4
..are made to fix the usb ports, but each of these require the usb ports to be working.
Am I missing something here?
Thanks for your time!
Tom Malcolm
Hi Tom,
That’s in case the USB port doesn’t work when the PS4 operating system is loaded. Sometimes that happens, it works in Safe Mode but doesn’t work when the system is loaded. But if it doesn’t work at all, you must take it to a technician, there is no other way.
Thanks for your feedback.
My PS4 slim keeps showing too many usb devices connected and there is no usb devices connected to the port and the usb port stopped working is there a way of fixing it
Seems like you need to full-initialize the PS4 as some core system files may be corrupted.