Hello, welcome to Mos Tech Tip. If you’re encountering the “PS4 controller flashing white” error, don’t worry. In this post, I’ll show you the methods to fix this annoying error and get you back on your gaming adventures. Just read on to learn the specific methods.
What Causes Your PS4 Controller Flashing White Light?
Apparently a flashing white light is different from a solid white light. A solid white light often indicates that your controller is syncing up or charging. However, every time when the PS4 controller displays a flashing white light, it won’t connect to the playstation console. This indicates something is going wrong. It might mean low battery, sync issues, connection issues or even firmware glitches.
- Low Battery: A drained battery could trigger the flashing white light.
- Syncing Issues: If the controller and the console do not sync well, the flashing white light error can occur.
- Connection issues: The error can be due to bad connections.
- Firmware Glitches: Firmware glitches can lead to unexpected light displays.
8 Quick Fixes:
- Check the Battery Level
- Reconnect the Controller to the Console
- Reset Your PS4 Controller
- Press the Playstation and Share Buttons at the Same Time
- Restart PS4 in Safe Mode
- Use a Micro USB Cable
- Switch to Another USB Cable
- Update Firmware
1. Check the Battery Level
Whenever the lightbar on the controller keeps flashing white, it’s probably low on battery. So the first thing you can do is to check the battery level. Simply connect the controller to your PS4 console using a USB cable for a recharge. As long as the PS4 is turned on, the controller will commence charging.
Check the charging status until you assume it’s fully charged. Generally, it takes about two hours for a PS4 controller to get fully charged.
2. Reconnect the Controller to the Console
To fix PS4 controller flashing white light issues, you can try reconnecting the controller to the console, which will re-sync the controller and the console. To do so:
1) Open the playstation controller app.
2) Navigate to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth devices.
3) Locate your DUALSHOCK 4 controller.
4) Select your controller that has the problem.
5) Press the Options button on your controller. This will bring up a new menu.
6) Hit Forget the device.
7) Hold download the Share and the Playstation buttons. Then the device will show up on the device list again.
7) Check to see if the flashing white light issue still occurs.
3. Reset Your PS4 Controller
Resetting your PS4 controller is to make all settings back to default. It can help resolve different controller not working issues including the flashing white light issues.
How to reset your PS4 controller:
1) Power off your playstation by pressing the power button for 5-10 seconds.
2) Turn off the controller by pressing the playstation button for 5-10 seconds.
3) Unplug the playstation from the wall outlet to power cycle it.
4) Reset your controller. To do so:
4a) Turn the controller over and look for the tiny reset button on the back of the controller.
4b) Use a paperclip or a pin to hold the button for a few seconds, then release. After that, the controller should reset.
5) Once resetting the controller, turn it on and check if you see flashing white light.
4. Press the Playstion and Share Buttons at the Same Time
Pressing the PS and Share buttons at the same time is a helpful workaround to fix the error. This is actually another way to reset the controller. Many users have reported that this trick worked for them.
Press the Playstation and Share buttons together and wait for the PS4 to turn on. After that, check to see if the flashing white light issue is fixed.
5. Start PS4 in Safe Mode
If the controller’s still flashing white light, let’s try starting PS4 in Safe Mode, which allows you to start your PS4 with only the most basic functions active. There are several options in Safe Mode for you to choose from, for example, Change Resolution, Rebuild Database and Update System Software.
To fix the flashing white light issue, we’ll use the Rebuild Database option and the Update System Software option.
Start Safe Mode to Rebuild Database
1) Turn off your console by holding the power button for around 5 seconds.
2) Once the console is off, press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep – one beep sounds when you first press, and another seven seconds later.
3) Connect the controller with the USB cable and press the Playstation button on the controller.
4) Navigate the Safe Mode menu and choose option 5 Rebuild Database.
5) Once PS4 starts again, try using your controller and see if the flashing white light issue is fixed.
Start Safe Mode to Update System Software
1) Turn off your console by holding the power button for around 5 seconds.
2) Once the console is off, press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep – one beep sounds when you first press, and another seven seconds later.
3) Connect the controller with the USB cable and press the PS button on the controller.
4) Navigate the Safe Mode menu and choose option 2 Update System Software.
5) Once PS4 starts again, try using your controller and see if the flashing white light issue is fixed.
6. Use a Micro USB Cable
If you’re connecting your PS4 controller to the console via bluetooth, you can try using a micro USB cable instead.
Turn off the console and the controller, get a good micro USB cable, then plug one end of the cable to the console and the other end to the controller. After that, turn on the console and the controller again to see if the controller flashing white light error is fixed.
7. Switch to Another USB Cable
If you’re connecting your PS4 controller to the console using a USB cable, you can try switching to another USB cable as the error can be caused by a faulty USB cable. Before switching, ensure the new USB cable is working fine.
8. Update Firmware
Firmware glitches can cause your PS4 controller flashing white. Update firmware and see if it helps.
Head over to the official PlayStation website and check for the latest firmware for your controller. Download and follow the instructions to update.
Pro Tip: Try all workarounds above with no luck? Don’t despair. The professional PS4 support is there to help. Just visit their official support page and submit your ticket with your problem details. They will reply to you and guide you through more advanced solutions or discuss warranty and repair options.
Conclusion
As mentioned in the post above, the PS4 controller flashing white error can be caused by low battery, loose connections, syncing issues and firmware glitches. To fix the error, you just need to follow the steps listed. The last resort is to contact the PS4 support to see professional help.
Thank you for reading. Hopefully you can fix the error easily. Happy gaming, and may your controller’s light guide you to victory!