Your PS4 will be packed with junk files after using it for a while. You may start noticing slow loading and other signs of malfunction. The solution would be to rebuild the database.
However, there’s a popular saying that you may lose everything on your PS4 if you rebuild the database.
If you want to know if this myth is true, then read on. I’ll also discuss other aspects of rebuilding your PS4 database.
Does Rebuilding Database On PS4 Delete Everything?
Rebuilding the database on your PS4 won’t delete anything. All your files, saved games, and data would remain intact. Rebuilding the database doesn’t do the following:
- It doesn’t delete saved uncorrupted files
- It doesn’t delete your game history
- It doesn’t delete your saved data, apps, videos, installed or updated games, etc.
- It doesn’t delete your saved profile.
However, the only setbacks in rebuilding the database are these:
- It can clear corrupt files, and if any game you’re playing or have downloaded is corrupt, you’ll lose it. You’d have to re-download it.
- It may clear all recent notifications, game updates, history, and recently-played games list. You’ll have to go back to the library to find your games.
Nevertheless, all of the above doesn’t happen all the time, plus, it’s a small price to pay as against the benefits you’ll enjoy. It’s always good to rebuild the database of your PS4 so it can perform better.
When you rebuild the database, here are some benefits to it.
- It rearranges fragmented files for easy access when needed.
- Since the files are arranged, the console finds and loads games quickly.
- It clears old memory, junk, and corrupt files to free up space.
- It’ll allow quick download and locating of downloaded files
- It makes scrolling through the Menu faster.
- It lessens any possibility of stuttering and freezing when playing games.
- It makes game updates and installation fast.
- It positively increases the overall performance of your PS4.
In summary, rebuilding the database sets things in order on your PS4 and serves you better.
A Handy Tip: If you’re skeptical about rebuilding the database because you feel you’ll lose some files, you can back up those files to the cloud. That way, you’re sure you won’t lose your files.
Secondly, rebuilding your database may return most of your personalized configuration to its default mode. For instance, if you have configured the Settings, Video display, and other areas on the console, they’ll return to their original configuration. You’d have to reconfigure them.
Thirdly, if you don’t shut down your console properly when you turn it on again after some time, it may automatically rebuild the database.
Lastly, whatever you do, never click on Initialize PS4 because it’ll clear all stored data unless that’s what you want, of course.
What Causes Corrupt Database Issues On PS4?
You must know why your PS4 database gets corrupted so you can avoid it as much as possible. Here are possible causes of a corrupt database:
- When you unplug your PS4 without first shutting it down via the Menu, or when you unplug it when it has not completely shut down.
- When your hard drive is full or malfunctioning
- When the game you’re downloading gets interrupted during download, probably by a poor network
- Some games, like Arsenal, Destiny, etc., are prone to getting corrupt. So the corruption may be from underlying platforms.
- If the storage media or file header corrupts, it’ll affect the database.
- Power outages when the game is still running can lead to database corruption.
- When you unplug your PS4 when a game is still running
- Some PS4 hardware problems can also cause database corruption.
Your knowledge of these causes can only help you prevent some of them. However, you may be unable to prevent them because some causes aren’t preventable.
How Do I Rebuild Database On My PS4?
You must rebuild the database on your PS4 for overall better performance. Here is how to rebuild the database on your PS4.
Turn off the Console: You should first turn off the console by pressing and holding the power button on it till it shuts down. Ensure the light on it is off before you let go.
Activate Safe Mode: Your console must be in Safe Mode for rebuilding. So, hold the power button again until you hear two beeps. The second beep will come 7 seconds after the first. Once you hear it, release the button. It’s in Safe Mode.
Connect a Controller: Use a USB cable to connect your console to your controller. You need to use a USB cable because Bluetooth won’t work in safe Mode.
Find Rebuild Database: When you’ve connected your console and controller, press the PS button on your controller to turn it on. On the Menu, scroll to Rebuild database (the fifth option), and press the X button on your controller to select it.
Start the rebuilding Process: When you click on it, a warning will appear on the screen informing you that it’ll take some time to rebuild the database. You’ll see two options, Cancel and Ok. Press the X button to click on OK.
Complete the Process: Once you click OK, the rebuilding process begins. The time it’ll take to rebuild the database and the progress level will display on the screen. Ensure you leave the console on till the process is complete. Once complete, the console will restart on its own.
Input Password/Email: When it reboots, you may have to input your PSN password or email to gain access.
When Should I Rebuild Database On PS4?
You should rebuild the database on your PS4 at least once every 3-5 months to improve its overall performance. You can even rebuild every month if you want. It’s safe and would do more good than harm.
You should rebuild the database if you begin to encounter the following problems:
- Slow booting and scrolling of the Menu
- Games begin to load slowly before it finally opens. It may not even open at times.
- Freezing and stuttering of characters when playing games (the frame rate drops)
- Difficulty in accessing downloaded content
- Failure to read optical media
- You begin to see many database errors in the games you’re playing or downloading.
- Failure to install or update games – It may also be that the PS shuts down or restarts during updates or installation of large files.
- A corrupt hard drive disc may appear if you turn on the console.
- It takes longer to download games.
- You just want to rebuild it because you’ve not done it for a while. You may not even be experiencing any challenges.
- It becomes difficult to delete files because the hard drive is full.
- Rebuild the database after downloading or updating large games.
A Handy Tip: The time it takes to rebuild the database on your PS4 depends on the level of stored junk. It can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 4 hours.
It may take time to complete the rebuilding process if you’ve not rebuilt the database for months. It’s best to rebuild the database when you’re not using the console. Give it all the time it needs, and don’t turn it off till the process is complete.
How Else Can I Boost My PS4 Performance Asides from Rebuilding Database?
You may notice that your PS4 no longer functions as effectively as it did when you got it. It may have become slow and may even freeze at some point. You don’t have to worry because there are ways to solve these problems without sending them for repair.
Here are six ways to boost the overall performance of your PS4.
Remove Debris: If you’ve used your PS4 for a long while, there is every likelihood it may have gathered debris and dust. The debris and dust may cause overheating and malfunctioning sometimes.
You must always keep the external and internal parts of your PS4 clean. Ensure you don’t put it enclosed where it’ll be heated up. The heat can increase the work of the system fan, which may break down.
Free Up Space On Your Disc: Your disc has limited space but can take a lot of downloads. However, if you fill up the disc space, it’ll begin to slow and malfunction. Ensure your disc has at least 50-100GB of free space.
You should check the disc space from time to time to see the space left. If it’s less than 50GB, you need to go to Settings and delete some stored files or old downloaded games you no longer play to free up space.
Fix Network Issues: Another reason why you may not be enjoying playing games on your PS4 is poor network. If your Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, your game will go slow and may even stop running, especially when you’re playing online.
Check your network settings to see if it allows the PS4 to connect online. You can also restart your router and console. You should turn them off, and after a few seconds, turn them on again.
Update Downloaded Games: You may encounter issues while playing a particular game because you’ve not updated the game. You should check for the latest updates and update your games anytime you are online.
Your PS4 should automatically update your frequently played games when you’re online, but you may not have updated some older games.
Activate Boost Mode: Boost Mode is mostly found on the PS4 Pro. As its name implies, it boosts the overall performance of the games- graphics, frame rates, etc.- when activated. To activate it, go to Settings> System.
You’ll find Boost Mode on the Menu. Click on it to activate it. Well, you cannot boost all games, but boosting the ones that support this Mode can make gaming much better.
Restart Your Device: The foundation of solving minor issues in most devices is to restart/reboot them. Restart the console and controller if you’re experiencing issues with your PS4, especially after clearing up space in your disc. It’ll reboot, and it will start working properly.
Conclusion
You should rebuild the database on your PS4 from time to time to ensure optimal performance. Ensure you put the console in Safe Mode when rebuilding the database. You don’t need to worry about losing any files or saved games because rebuilding the database doesn’t delete your files. It only reorganizes scattered files and deletes junk and corrupted files.
