Just because the PS5 is here, this doesn’t make PS4 obsolete. In fact, it doesn’t even make it an outdated tech. Frankly speaking, it’s still a gaming platform in its prime, and you need to treat it that way. This means that lag, latency, and general underperformance is not to be tolerated. Moreover, some of the most-played games of today are still waiting for a next-gen re-release, which means that your PS4 may (still) be the pinnacle of modern gaming technology.
Be that as it may, over the course of time, you might start noticing that your PS4’s performance is no longer what it used to be. This is especially easy to notice on games which, up to recently, performed admirably.
With that in mind and without further ado, here are some of the main reasons why your PS4 is slower than it’s supposed to be (or, at least, than it used to be).
Problems with Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
This is a condition that all your devices share – a full drive will slow down your laptop, desktop, and mobile device, as well. Therefore, the fact that your PS4 might struggle with it might not be that surprising. Then again, the available space is not the only culprit. You also need to pay attention to the integrity of the hard drive. Hardware is just as likely a source of a problem.
The first thing you need to do in order to fix the problem is to check the hard drive. You see, if you’re 100% sure that it’s not supposed to be full yet, it’s likely that it’s faulty. The way in which this manifests is through unusual noises or unprecedented lag. The only way to tell for sure is to take it to a specialist and ask them to examine the disk in your stead.
If the amount of space is the issue, you can resolve the problem by clearing it up. All you need is to go to System Storage Management and select all the content that you want to delete. This includes applications, capture gallery, saved data, and themes.
In an extreme scenario, you might want to rebuild the database from scratch. This is really the most effective method but might delete everything you have stored on the device. If the problem is space- or software-based, this is likely to make it alright.
Slow Internet Connection
Your PS4 is heavily dependent on your internet connection. Therefore, by fixing the connection, you stand a chance of boosting the performance of your PS4, as well. Now, one way to solve this problem from square one is to look for fiber optic internet providers in your vicinity. Other than solving your PS4 issues, this move will benefit the rest of your household and lifestyle quite a bit.
While you can go for an improvised solution like a Wi-Fi booster, the truth is that you’re always better off with an ethernet connection. Even here, your broadband plan will make all the difference. If you have no other options and have to go with a Wi-Fi connection, setting up your router properly might help sort this issue out.
Another thing you can do is set up port forwarding. Sure, this isn’t a huge boost, but it can make a difference. The process is a lot simpler than you assume it to be.
Update Your PS4
The next thing you can do is get the right update for your device. One of the reasons why the device may lag is due to the fact that it has a new lag-fixing update pending.
The way in which this can be solved is incredibly simple. With the connection to the internet, the update should be automatic. All you need to do is restart your PS4 (which is a habit that a lot of PS4 users sadly lack), and there you have it.
However, it can also be done via firmware. This includes you downloading the update to a device like a USB stick and issuing an Update System Software command from the Safe Mode.
Odd Yet Effective Fixes for Your PS4
While turning your device off and on again may sound as ridiculous in this day and age, the truth is that it can be effective in some instances. By giving the device a chance to reset, you might sort out these issues quite effortlessly.
Next, one of the reasons why your PS4 is underperforming is because it has a hardware problem. A hardware problem that often causes a slow-down to your system is the issue with ventilation. Having the fan fixed will do the trick, but this has to be done by a professional in order not to cause additional damage to the hardware. Simply moving a device to a new position might also result in a slight improvement here. After all, the overall ventilation is a matter of airflow.
Although everything is digital in this day and age, traditionalists still prefer to get a physical copy of the game. An issue with a freezing disc might be due to the flaw with the disc, not one with the device itself. In this scenario, contacting the retailer might be a sensible move.
In Conclusion
Lastly, PS4 is a valuable piece of equipment, which is why it might be for the best to take it for a service at the first sign of slowing down. It is a console designed to provide you with hours, days, weeks, and years of enjoyment, and, seeing as how the original price wasn’t low, there’s nothing bad with trying to get the most value out of it. With a bit of routine maintenance, extra care, and some professional help, you might drastically prolong the life of your console.
Finally, if you found the article “why is my PS4 so slow”, we would appreciate it if you share this article on your social media profile so that it reaches to the wider audience.
For any suggestion on the topic “why is my PS4 so slow” please comment on the comment box below so that we can add value to the content for our readers.
