How to Turn Off PS5 – Complete Guide to Every Shutdown Method

Turning off a PlayStation 5 seems straightforward, yet many users find the process less intuitive than on previous consoles. Whether you need to shut down the system, put it into rest mode, or force a power-off during a freeze, understanding the available methods helps avoid confusion and potential data issues.

Unlike the PS4, which allowed a direct hold of the PS button to power down, the PS5 routes all shutdown commands through the Control Center. That design choice prioritises preventing accidental shutdowns, but it also means learning a slightly different sequence of steps.

This guide covers every verified method for turning off a PS5, including standard controller-based shutdowns, power button use, controller-only power-off, and emergency force shutdowns for frozen consoles. Instructions apply to the standard PS5, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro unless otherwise noted.

How to Turn Off Your PS5 Console Using the Controller

• Most users find the PS5 shutdown process unintuitive compared to PS4, but it is consistent once learned.
• The Control Center method is the recommended and official way to turn off the console.
• Power button behaviour differs between rest mode (short press) and full shutdown (long press or menu selection).
• Turning off the PS5 controller individually can be done from the Control Center without turning off the console.
• PS5 Pro uses identical shutdown methods as the standard PS5.

How to Turn Off PS5 Without a Controller (Using the Power Button)

Location of the PS5 power button

The power button sits on the front edge of the console. On disc models it is the smaller button next to the eject button. The same placement applies to the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro, as confirmed by multiple sources including Webnetic.

Short press vs long press: shutdown vs rest mode

A single quick tap of the power button triggers a normal shutdown on most configurations. The console emits a short beep, the white light blinks, and the system powers down. Holding the button for one to two seconds, by contrast, may enter rest mode depending on your settings. Users who want a full shutdown every time should use the Control Center menu or verify their power button mapping in the system settings.

Turning off PS5 when the system is unresponsive

When the screen is frozen or the controller does not respond, the power button becomes the primary tool. A long press of 10 to 15 seconds forces a hardware-level shutdown. According to Asurion and several verified YouTube tutorials, the critical cue is to wait for two beeps — the first short beep around seven seconds, then a second longer beep. Releasing after only the first beep may put the console into rest mode instead.

How to Turn Off Your PS5 Controller Individually

Turning off the controller from the control center

Press the PS button to open the Control Center, then navigate to Accessories. Select the controller from the list and choose Turn Off. The controller powers down while the console continues running — useful when watching a movie or streaming content. A YouTube guide demonstrates the same sequence for both the standard DualSense and the DualSense Edge.

Automatic timeout settings

The PS5 includes a setting that turns off the controller automatically after a period of inactivity. This can be adjusted under Settings > Accessories > Controllers > Turn Off Controller After. The default is 10 minutes, but users can choose 30 minutes or disable the timeout entirely.

For PC use: disconnecting via Bluetooth

When the DualSense is connected to a PC, turning it off requires a different approach. On Windows, open Bluetooth settings, locate the DualSense controller, and select Disconnect or Remove Device. On macOS, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find the controller, and click Disconnect. The controller may also power down automatically after a few minutes of inactivity when no data is being transferred.

How to Turn Off the PS5 Pro (Any Differences?)

Same methods as standard PS5

The PS5 Pro follows the exact same shutdown procedures as the standard model and the Slim. The Control Center route, the power button, and the force shutdown gesture all work identically. No dedicated power-off command exists on the Pro controller, and Sony has not introduced any model-specific changes to the power menu. Bajaj Finserv confirms the consistency across all current PS5 variants.

Using the power button on PS5 Pro

The power button on the PS5 Pro is in the same front-edge position. A quick tap triggers a normal shutdown; a 10-second hold forces a hard shutdown. The audio and visual cues — single beep for normal, two beeps for force shutdown — are unchanged.

Rest mode vs full shutdown on PS5 Pro

Rest mode behaves identically on the PS5 Pro. It keeps the console in a low-power state for background downloads and remote wake, consuming roughly 10 to 20 watts. A full shutdown draws zero power. The choice between the two depends on whether the user prioritises quick resume or energy savings.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When Your PS5 Won’t Turn Off

Force shutdown using the power button

If the console becomes completely unresponsive — frozen on a game screen, a loading loop, or a black screen — a force shutdown is the primary fix. Press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds. Listen for two distinct beeps. The first beep occurs after about seven seconds; continue holding until the second, longer beep sounds. Release and wait one to two minutes before tapping the power button to restart. A verified YouTube tutorial stresses that releasing after the first beep may send the console into rest mode rather than a full shutdown.

Unplugging the console as a last resort

When the power button does not respond at all, disconnect the AC power cord from the back of the console. Wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. On the next boot, the PS5 may display a “repairing storage” message — this is normal and indicates that the file system is checking for consistency. Repeated reliance on this method is not recommended, as it carries a small risk of data corruption if the console was actively writing or downloading at the time.

Preventing frozen states

Regular firmware updates, adequate ventilation, and avoiding prolonged rest mode sessions can reduce the likelihood of freezes. Keeping the console in a well-ventilated area and cleaning dust from the vents helps prevent overheating, which is a common trigger for unresponsive behaviour.

Evolution of PS5 Power Off Methods

1. November 2020 — PS5 launches with Control Center; users adapt to new shutdown flow.
2. 2021 — Firmware updates improve power menu responsiveness, but core method unchanged.
3. 2023 — PS5 Slim released; power button location changed slightly, but same software method.
4. 2024 — PS5 Pro announced; shutdown instructions confirmed same as standard PS5.
5. 2025 — Still the standard method; no fundamental changes reported.

Sources: wikiHow and Sony support documentation.

Is It Safe to Force Shutdown Your PS5?

Why Is Turning Off the PS5 Different from the PS4?

The PS5 shutdown procedure has been a point of confusion since launch, partly due to the removal of the direct “hold PS button” method from PS4. The Control Center approach adds an extra step but provides more options — rest mode, full shutdown, and the ability to turn off the controller separately. The design deliberately prevents accidental shutdowns that could interrupt gameplay or downloads.

For user experience, the controller method is fastest when the controller is in hand. The power button method is essential for accessibility situations such as a dead controller. The lack of a dedicated power-off button on the controller itself is a deliberate design choice to reduce accidental presses.

Readers interested in other gaming accessories may find the guide to Sims 4 Expansion Packs useful for expanding their library.

Where Can I Find Official PS5 Shutdown Instructions?

“Select Power from the control center. Select Turn Off PS5. The power indicator blinks white, and then the console turns off.”

Sony PlayStation Support (official support page)

“You literally press the ps button, press down to get to control panel, press left to go to ‘power’ and turn off.”

The Verge (via Reddit comment)

What Is the Best Way to Turn Off Your PS5?

The safest and most reliable method for everyday use remains the Control Center route: press the PS button, navigate to Power, and select Turn Off PS5. It preserves data, avoids wear on the power button, and works on all PS5 models. For those times when the controller is dead or the console freezes, the power button — tapped for normal shutdown or held for force shutdown — serves as a dependable backup. For additional tech tips, see the guide on YouTube to MP3 Converter.

Frequently Asked Questions