How to fix the PS5 stuck on "Please wait..." screen issue

Whether you own a standard PS5, the sleek PS5 Slim, or the advanced PS5 Pro, one common issue that unites users across all models is the PS5 getting stuck on the dreaded "Please wait" screen.

This glitch, seemingly small, has the power to halt your gaming journey, turning excitement into frustration as you find yourself unable to proceed. It's a scenario that can disrupt the most engaging gameplay, leaving players searching for solutions to reclaim their immersive experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the realm of troubleshooting, presenting a variety of strategies tailored to address and resolve the "Please wait" screen issue.

How to fix PS5 stuck on "Please wait" screen

When your PS5 get stuck on the "Please wait" screen, the first thing to do is wait for a few minutes to see if the situation resolves itself. But if you've given it a minimum of five minutes, and nothing is happening, then more drastic action is most likely needed.

If your PS5 is still stuck on the "Please wait" screen, here are the steps you need to take:

• Start by switching off your console. Make sure this is a full power down, as opposed to Rest Mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and keep it held down until you hear it beep twice.
• At this point, once the console is off, we'd recommend unplugging it from the wall for another five minutes, before attempting to reboot.

This may be enough to resolve your issue. But for some users, this problem is more of a recurrent issue. In this situation, there are some additional steps to take.

When it's a recurring issue

• Repeat as above, but when switching your PS5 back on, keep the power button held down for seven seconds, until you hear the second beep.
• This will put your console in Safe Mode.
• From here, select Option 5 - Clear Cache and Rebuild Database, and then select Rebuild Database. According to Sony, this will scan the drive to create a new database of all content on your system.
• If this doesn't resolve the problem, then you may need to consider pressing the nuclear button, and performing a factory reset on your console. This is Option 6 - Reset PS5 in Safe Mode. This will also clear all user data, so it is a last resort. If you are a PS Plus subscriber, you can back up your data to the cloud.

If none of these options resolves the issue, then it's time to contact PlayStation Support. A hardware repair may be required, but they'll be best placed to advise you on that.

Can I do anything to avoid this in the first place?

Without a definitive cause for the issue, it is difficult to guarantee any course of action will prevent you from experiencing this issue. But there are definitely a few things you can do to keep your PS5 in optimum working order.

The first, and most obvious thing to do, is to make sure you download any pending updates for your console. Updates are often delivered to improve system stability, or fix known issues. So it's important to keep your console updated.

It's also important to turn off your console properly. If you don't, you run the risk of corrupting data, or losing game progress. So try to avoid any rage quitting.