How to Reset Your PSP

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-1-Version-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>"}
    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.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-2-Version-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>"}
    It's a good idea to wait about 30 seconds before starting your PSP up again.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-3-Version-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>"}
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Resetting a Slow PSP to Defaults Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-4-Version-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>"}
    This will allow you to access the Settings menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-5-Version-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>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-6.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-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>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-7.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-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>"}
    • If you want to format your memory stick too, select "Format Memory" from the System Settings menu.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-8.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-8.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>"}
    When the Sony logo appears, you will be asked to setup the PSP as if it was new.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Resetting a PSP to Factory Defaults

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-9.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-9.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>"}
    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.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-10.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-10.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>"}
    You may have to lay your PSP down in order to accomplish this.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-11.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-11.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>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-12.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-12.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>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Reset-Your-PSP-Step-13.jpg\/aid698797-v4-728px-Reset-Your-PSP-Step-13.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>"}
    • This method will not delete any custom firmware, will not downgrade your PSP, and will not delete any games stored on the memory card.
    6. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • 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.
    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 10 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.
    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 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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 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
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to Download PSP Games to a PSP
      How to
      Run Downloaded Games on a PSP
      How to
      Hack a PlayStation Portable
      How to
      Charge Your PSP
      How to Connect a PSP to WiFi
      How to
      Upgrade Your PSP Firmware
      How to
      Connect Your PSP to Your Computer
      How to
      Download Free PSP Games
      How to
      Use Your Sony PSP
      How to
      Download and Install Themes on the PSP
      How to
      Unbrick a PSP
      How to
      Play Two Players on PSP
      How to
      Transfer a Downloaded Game to a PSP
      How to
      Put Game Saves on Your PSP
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 303,046 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement