How to Enter Safe Mode on a PlayStation 3

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 Fact Checked

Safe mode on PlayStation 3 was originally made so you can fix your PlayStation if it doesn't start. It turns your PlayStation on with minimum required functionality to help you fix any issues and see if your console requires service. If you want to enter safe mode, you came to the right place.

How to Boot into Safe Mode

Turn your PS3 off by holding down the power button.
Hold the power button down again to restart the machine.
Release the button and hold it down again until you hear two beeps.
Press the PS button to open the safe mode menu.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-1.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Know when to use safe mode. This is a good choice if:
- Your PS3 starts up but the XMB menu doesn't come up (you only see the wave screen, instead).
- Your PS3 starts up but nothing happens on the screen.
- You see an error that says, "The hard disk's file system is corrupted and will be restored" but the restoration process is not successful, or you see that same error repeatedly.
- Your console stops working during an update, or after the restart that follows an update.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-2.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If it's on, you can do this by pressing the power button on the front of the console.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-3.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Push and hold the power button. Hold the button down until you hear 3 beeps. If you were successful, the PS3 should power off again.
- The first beep tells you that the PS3 is powering on. Keep holding.
- After about 5 seconds, the second beep signifies the video reset.
- After another 5 seconds, the system will power off again and the power light will go red.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-4.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If done successfully, you will hear the first 2 beeps just as before, but the 3rd third beep will be a double-beep; you should see this screen:
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-5.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The PS3 will proceed to the next screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-6.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6
Review your options. You'll be able to select from a range of choices:
- Restart System: This takes your PS3 out of safe mode and restarts it normally.
- Restore Default Settings: Restores your system to defaults and removes the Sony Entertainment Network account information from your PS3.
- Restore File System: This tries to repair the drive. Any corrupted data may be deleted, so use it with caution.
- Rebuild Database: This deletes all your old messages, playlists, custom changes, video playback/resume history, thumbnails, etc. It may take a while! ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
- Restore PS3 System: This is a complete restoration of your system, back to the state it was in when you bought it. You will lose data if you use this.
- System Update: This allows you to update your PS3 system software, if you have an update file already saved on an external drive (like a USB drive).
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-7.jpg\/aid6109545-v4-728px-Enter-Safe-Mode-on-a-PlayStation-3-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Some do involve a loss of data. PlayStation support site recommends you start with "Restore Default Settings" and see if that works. If it doesn't, move on to 'Restore File System" and see if it successfully fixes your problem. If not, try "Rebuild Database" and finally "Restore PS3 System." ^{[2]
X
Research source} If any of the options is successful, you're done; don't keep trying more!

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What if I have a wireless controller?

Community Answer

Use the included mini USB cable to connect it to the PS3 console. All standard Dualshock 3 or Sixaxis controllers have a mini USB port on them that allows you to connect them to the PS3 to be used wired.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 15
Question

I have tried to restore the file system but it takes forever and then my PS3 freezes, what can I do?

Community Answer

Try clearing up some space on your PS3 and try again. If all else fails, you can contact Sony.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 8
Question

What do I do if my console light's green but turning off after a couple of seconds?

Community Answer

Buy a new console, I've seen this lots of times and even people experienced at fixing consoles generally say it is best to buy a new console when this happens. You could try taking it to a repair person to see what they think.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 6

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can exit safe mode by turning off the system.

Thanks
Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
You can boot safe mode at anytime as long as you have your hard drive installed.

Thanks
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
This can also work on the PlayStation 4.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

You can break your PS3 or lose your data using safe mode. It's only recommended if you know what you're doing.

Thanks
Helpful 16 Not Helpful 3

[1]

[2]

Log in

How to Enter Safe Mode on a PlayStation 3

How to Boot into Safe Mode

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories