How to Turn Off PS5: Full Shutdown vs Rest Mode Explained

How to turn off PS5 is less obvious than it sounds because Sony’s console offers two different ways to stop playing: Turn Off PS5 and Enter Rest Mode. Both make the screen go dark, but only the first is a complete shutdown. If you’re about to unplug the console, move it or deal with a power problem, knowing the difference matters.

The quickest safe method is to press the PS button, open the power menu and choose Turn Off PS5. You can also use the console’s physical power button. Below are the exact steps, what its lights mean, and how to avoid accidentally leaving it in Rest Mode.

How to turn off PS5 with a controller

1. Finish or save your game where possible so that no unsaved progress is lost.
2. Press the PS button in the middle of your paired DualSense controller to display the control center.
3. Move across the control center to the Power icon.
4. Choose Turn Off PS5, rather than Enter Rest Mode or Restart PS5.
5. Wait while the screen goes blank and the console’s power indicator flashes white. When the indicator goes completely dark, the shutdown has finished.

Sony describes this sequence in its official PS5 power-saving and shutdown guide. Menu layout and icon position can vary with software updates, but the named power choices are what you should check.

How to turn off PS5 without a controller

Use the physical power button on the console when your controller is disconnected or not responding.

1. Locate the power button on your PS5. Its position varies slightly with console model and how it is oriented.
2. Press and hold the power button until you hear the shutdown beep, then release it.
3. Let the indicator finish flashing white and turn completely off.

Don’t confuse the power and eject buttons

PS5 models with a disc drive can have a separate eject button. If you see two buttons, identify the power button before pressing one repeatedly. On a digital-only console, there is no physical disc-eject control for an optical drive. Do not assume the position used in a photo of a different PS5 revision matches your unit.

Why a quick press can put PS5 into Rest Mode

According to PlayStation, a single press of the power button can enter Rest Mode instead of performing a full shutdown. If you’re using the button because you want to disconnect the console, hold it for the shutdown action and wait for the indicator to go dark.

PS5 Rest Mode vs full shutdown: what changes?

Full shutdown: the power light goes out

With Turn Off PS5, the console closes its running session and powers down. The indicator flashes white during shutdown and then goes off. This is the appropriate state to reach before disconnecting the console’s power cable for transport, rearranging cables or long-term storage.

Rest Mode: low-power features may remain available

Rest Mode is a deliberately low-power state, not the same as a powered-off console. Depending on your settings, the PS5 may still supply power to USB ports, charge controllers or maintain an internet connection to support downloads and updates. Those features depend on the options enabled under Settings → System → Power Saving. If you want downloads to continue when you’re away, Rest Mode may be useful.

What do the white and orange lights mean?

• White indicator: the PS5 is running, or is flashing white as it transitions through shutdown.
• Orange indicator: the PS5 is in Rest Mode or moving into it.
• No illuminated indicator after a normal shutdown: the PS5 has finished turning off.

A TV showing a black screen is not proof that the console is fully shut down. If you plan to unplug it, use the console’s own light as your check.

Can you unplug PS5 right after selecting Turn Off?

No. Let the shutdown process finish. PlayStation specifically warns against disconnecting the AC power cord while the power indicator is lit or blinking, because doing so may cause data loss, corruption or console damage. Wait for the light to turn off before removing power. This is especially important after software updates, game installations or downloads.

If you need to clean the outside of the console, switch it off fully and unplug it first. Do not open internal components just to remove dust without checking Sony’s service advice.

How to stop PS5 automatically entering Rest Mode

Do you come back to find your console in Rest Mode when you expected it to stay awake? Sony lets you adjust the idle timer:

1. Go to the PS5 home screen.
2. Open Settings → System → Power Saving.
3. Select Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode.
4. Choose a longer idle period if needed, or the option to avoid automatic Rest Mode when appropriate.

Keeping a console on indefinitely consumes more electricity than letting it rest; the longer timer is a convenience setting, not a recommendation to leave games running unattended. In the same Power Saving area, Features Available in Rest Mode controls USB power and internet-connected functions.

If you’re troubleshooting a DualSense that does not charge while the console rests, see our PS5 controller charging and Rest Mode guide before assuming the controller battery has failed.

What if the PS5 will not turn off normally?

Check whether the console is responding slowly

Give the console a moment to finish loading menus or ending a game. If the controller does not respond, try the console’s physical power button instead. Do not pull the power cable as a substitute for the normal shutdown process.

Is the screen black but the PS5 still lit?

The TV may have changed inputs or lost its video signal while the PS5 is still on. Look at the console’s own indicator and listen for its operation. Avoid repeating random power-button presses without checking whether it is running, entering Rest Mode or shutting down.

When is Restart PS5 better than Turn Off PS5?

If you’re troubleshooting a temporary interface or connection problem, Restart PS5 performs a shutdown-and-startup cycle. For some controller connection problems, our DualSense reset and re-pairing guide covers the separate controller procedure. A console restart is not the same as resetting the controller or erasing console data.

FAQ

How do I turn off PS5 from the home screen?

Press the PS button, choose the Power icon in the control center, then select Turn Off PS5. Wait for the power indicator to turn dark.

Does tapping the PS5 power button turn the console off?

A quick press can enter Rest Mode. To perform a full shutdown with the physical button, hold it until the shutdown beep, then wait for the indicator to go out.

Does the DualSense controller turn off when the PS5 shuts down?

Yes. Sony states that the controller also turns off when the console is shut down or enters Rest Mode. An independently paired controller connected to another device is a separate situation.

Should I use Rest Mode or fully turn off PS5 overnight?

Both are supported choices. Rest Mode can preserve certain low-power charging and network features if enabled; full shutdown is better when you intend to unplug or move the system. Choose based on whether you want background features available.

Can I turn PS5 back on with the controller?

Yes, a paired controller’s PS button can power on the console from off or Rest Mode. The physical power button also works.

In short: Use PS button → Power → Turn Off PS5 for normal shutdown. Use a long press of the physical power button if you cannot access the menu. In either case, let the white light finish flashing before you disconnect anything.