How to Reset Your PSP

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If your PSP is frozen, a hard reset can get it up and running again. If your PSP is performing poorly, you may be able to improve its performance by performing a factory reset. A factory reset will not delete any of your game (unless you also format the memory card).

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Performing a Hard Reset on a Frozen PSP

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    In most cases, this will force the PSP to shutdown.
    • If this doesn't work, try holding the Right Shoulder button and then hold the Power switch for about 5 seconds. This should power your PSP down.
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    It's a good idea to wait about 30 seconds before starting your PSP up again.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Resetting a Slow PSP to Defaults Settings

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    This will allow you to access the Settings menu.
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    • If you want to format your memory stick too, select "Format Memory" from the System Settings menu.
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    When the Sony logo appears, you will be asked to setup the PSP as if it was new.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Resetting a PSP to Factory Defaults

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    Once the PSP powers down, let it sit unpowered for at least 30 seconds.
    • This method may be useful if you can't get your PSP to turn on normally.
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    You may have to lay your PSP down in order to accomplish this.
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    • This method will not delete any custom firmware, will not downgrade your PSP, and will not delete any games stored on the memory card.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What do I do if my PSP is crashing?
    Community Answer
    It might be bricked, so you might have to get a pandora battery and magic memory stick.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 22
  • Question
    Will the reset be safe and not delete any of my games?
    Community Answer
    Only if you don't format the memory stick. The reset will download its update without deleting your memory stick or anything else you have on it, e.g. music, videos, games, photos, etc.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
  • Question
    How do I connect a camera to my PSP?
    Community Answer
    Where the WLAN switch is, you will see a USB port, which is where the camera goes. Next to the USB port, you will see two holes, which is where you put the two metal cylinders on the camera.
    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
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