Blue Light of Death (BLOD)
Pulsing Blue Light / No Video Output
⚠️ Important Warning
Apply these solutions with caution.
Refer to official manufacturer website for authoritative information. For reference only.
Official Solution
A pulsing blue light on your PS4 that does not transition to a solid white light indicates the console is not completing its startup sequence. This may be due to TV compatibility issues, problems with the console's power supply, hard drive, or other hardware.
Check your HDMI connections and try booting into Safe Mode. If Safe Mode is inaccessible, there is likely a significant hardware failure.
Common Symptoms
- The console turns on and the light bar pulses blue continuously.
- The light never turns white, and no video signal is sent to the TV/monitor.
- The console may shut itself off after a short period of pulsing blue.
- You are unable to boot into Safe Mode by holding the power button.
- This can happen suddenly to a previously working console.
Hardware Information
The Blue Light of Death is a classic sign of hardware failure. While it can be caused by a faulty power supply or hard drive, the most common culprit is a motherboard issue, specifically a failure of the connection between the APU and the motherboard. This is not a user-serviceable problem for most people.
Components
- • APU (Accelerated Processing Unit)
- • Power Supply Unit (PSU)
- • Internal Hard Drive (HDD)
Tools
- • Phillips screwdriver
Difficulty
AdvancedStep-by-Step Solutions
The BLOD is a generic symptom for several severe hardware failures. The steps below can rule out simple issues, but often this problem requires professional repair.
Check TV and HDMI Connections
Turn everything off. Unplug the HDMI cable from both the PS4 and the TV, then plug it back in firmly. Try a different HDMI cable and a different HDMI port on your TV. Also, try connecting the PS4 to a completely different TV to rule out a compatibility issue.
Check Power Supply Connections
Unplug the power cord from the PS4 and the wall outlet. Wait for at least 60 seconds. Reconnect it firmly and try to power on the console again.
Check the Hard Drive (HDD)
Power off and unplug the console. Remove the PS4's hard drive cover and ensure the HDD is properly seated in its bay and that the screws are secure. If possible, try installing a different, known-good hard drive to see if the console will boot.
Professional Hardware Repair
If none of the above steps work, the console has a critical motherboard failure. This is commonly due to cracked solder joints under the APU (the main processor) caused by heat cycles. This requires a professional technician with micro-soldering equipment to perform a 'reball' or 'reflow'.