The PlayStation 5’s rest mode is a convenient feature that allows you to suspend games and applications while keeping the console in a low-power state. However, there have been some reports from PS5 owners of issues when using rest mode, which has led to questions about whether it is safe to use.
What is rest mode on the PS5?
Rest mode on the PS5 allows you to suspend the console and quickly resume where you left off later. When you put the PS5 into rest mode, it will enter a low-power suspended state rather than fully powering off.
This means that any open games or applications will be suspended in memory. The console will continue to download any updates, install downloaded games, and charge controllers in rest mode. You can then turn on the PS5 from rest mode to immediately jump back into your game right where you left off.
Rest mode is enabled by default on the PS5. To put the console into rest mode, you just need to press the power button on the front of the system until you hear a beep and the light bar pulses blue. The console will rapidly go into its suspended low-power state to save energy.
What are the benefits of using rest mode?
There are several benefits to using the PS5’s rest mode feature:
- Saves time – You can jump right back into a game instantly without waiting for it to fully load up again.
- Convenience – Download updates and install games without needing the console powered on.
- Saves energy – Rest mode uses less power than leaving the console fully on.
- Charges controllers – PS5 controllers charge while the console is in rest mode.
Overall, rest mode provides a convenient always-ready suspended state for your PS5. You don’t have to wait for lengthy startup and loading times when you want to play again.
Are there risks or issues with rest mode?
While rest mode can be very useful, some PS5 users have reported issues when trying to use the feature:
- Game crashes or data corruption – In rare cases, suspending gameplay during rest mode has caused crashes or data corruption.
- PS5 won’t wake from rest mode – Some users find their console unresponsive when trying to wake from rest mode.
- Controller issues – Occasionally controllers won’t charge or connect properly after using rest mode.
- External hard drive problems – External storage devices can sometimes disconnect or be unrecognized after rest mode.
These type of issues don’t affect all PS5 consoles, but have been reported by a subset of users. The main risks seem to revolve around potential game stability and hardware connectivity problems.
PS5 rest mode issues – a closer look
To better understand the potential downsides of using rest mode on the PS5, let’s take a closer look at some of the specific issues that have been reported:
Game crashes and data corruption
One of the most worrying issues is game crashes or save data corruption that can occur when suspending gameplay during rest mode. Some example reports from users include:
- Game crashed upon waking PS5 from rest mode, losing hours of gameplay progress.
- Game save data disappeared after console woke from rest mode.
- Console had to repair external hard drive after crashing coming out of rest mode.
While occasional, these types of issues show the risks of game stability problems from using rest mode. Suspending open applications like games to RAM can lead to crashes or data problems in some cases.
PS5 won’t wake from rest mode
Another problem seen by some PS5 owners is getting their console stuck in rest mode and being completely unresponsive to being woken up. For example:
- Pressing PS button on controller won’t wake PS5 from rest mode.
- PS5 light stays blue but no display output when trying to wake from rest mode.
- Unplugging and replugging PS5 HDMI cable does not wake from rest mode.
These types of issues require forcibly rebooting the console by holding down the power button. The PS5 ceasing to respond when trying to exit rest mode suggests potential hardware instability in low-power mode.
Controller problems
The PS5’s DualSense controller is designed to charge while the console is in rest mode. However, some users report problems with connections after waking the console:
- Controller does not automatically reconnect after exiting rest mode.
- Charged controller shows empty battery after using rest mode.
- Controller fails to charge while console is in rest mode.
These controller issues after rest mode suggest potential USB/Bluetooth connectivity problems in low-power mode. The controller connections seem to be inconsistently maintained in some cases.
External hard drive issues
Finally, another hardware connectivity issue involves external storage drives. Some PS5 owners report external hard drives becoming unrecognized, corrupted, or disconnecting from the console after rest mode:
- External HDD fails to mount/reconnect after PS5 exits rest mode.
- Games on external storage disappear or crash after rest mode.
- External SSD not showing up and needs to be reformatted after using rest mode.
As with the controller connectivity, maintaining external drives in a suspended low-power state seems prone to hardware communication issues in some instances.
Should you use rest mode on your PS5?
Based on the potential downsides covered, is it safe to use rest mode on your PS5?
For most users, rest mode will work as intended most of the time. The convenience and speed benefits often outweigh the small risk of issues. However, problems like game crashes or hardware disconnects can occur in rare cases.
Here are some best practices to follow if you decide to use rest mode:
- Avoid suspending games in rest mode if you have unsaved progress – Only rest with safely saved games.
- Exit running games before entering rest mode when possible.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection for downloads.
- Don’t disconnect external storage devices while in rest mode.
- Restart your PS5 fully on occasion – Don’t only use rest mode.
Overall, rest mode is very convenient but has some minor inherent risks. Using it sensibly and understanding the potential downsides can help avoid any significant problems.
Summary of PS5 rest mode risks
Here is a quick summary of the main risks reported by PS5 users when using rest mode:
Rest Mode Issue | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
Game crashes | Software | Suspended games crash or have errors when resuming from rest mode. |
Data corruption | Software | Game save data can become corrupted or lost after rest mode. |
Won’t wake up | Hardware | PS5 does not respond and has to be rebooted when trying to exit rest mode. |
Controller problems | Hardware | DualSense controllers fail to reconnect, charge, or function after using rest mode. |
External drive issues | Hardware | External storage devices like hard drives disconnect or have errors after rest mode. |
These issues seem to stem from instability in suspending games in memory, and maintaining hardware connections in a low-power state. Though occasional, they are worth being aware of when deciding whether to use rest mode.
Tips for avoiding PS5 rest mode problems
If you want to utilize your PS5’s rest mode, here are some tips to help avoid potential problems:
Exit games before rest mode
Fully quit any open games before entering rest mode. This avoids game suspension issues crashing or corrupting data.
Don’t use rest mode during important game progress
Avoid the temptation to use rest mode if you are midway through important gameplay you don’t want to lose. Only rest at safe save points.
Check for software updates
Make sure your PS5 firmware and games are fully updated before using rest mode. Updates may improve rest mode stability.
Reboot fully on occasion
Don’t solely rely on rest mode. Do full reboot cycles of your PS5 periodically to clear any background issues.
Use offline mode if downloading
If you want to download game updates in rest mode, switch PS5 to offline mode to avoid network interruptions waking the system.
Disconnect external storage devices
External hard drives can be disconnected before entering rest mode to avoid any connectivity issues.
Conclusion
The PS5’s rest mode can certainly be useful for quickly resuming games and keeping your console ready for action. However, occasional issues reported by users like game crashes and hardware disconnects show there are some inherent risks. Using rest mode sensibly by following the tips outlined here can help you avoid major problems. Overall, rest mode is a convenient feature that most PS5 owners will want to take advantage of, despite the small chance of stability issues. Just be prepared for the minor possibility of errors by taking some basic precautions.