PS4 Users Reporting Bug That Bricks Consoles- How to Prevent It

Over the weekend, PS4 users have been reporting a messaging bug is crashing their consoles, leading them to do a complete factory reset of their system. The bug, which ultimately bricks the console, has been reportedly linked to malicious character strings, which have been popping up with an error code. Some Reddit users have reported they were sent a message while playing Destiny, with players doing it in order to win. Others have said they have also received the malicious message while playing Rainbow Six Siege. 

For those who are hesitant of doing a complete factory reset (games saves, settings, etc. will be lost), there seems to be a way to get your PS4 back up and running. Polygon is stating that users can manage their received “messages and messaging preferences from a web browser or the PlayStation smartphone app”, as this is the best way to prevent your system from crashing.

Another option users may want to try after deleting the message app, is to boot up your PS4 in safe mode. Turn off the system and hold the power button down until the PS4 beeps. From there, choosing the “Rebuild Database option”, which will clear the message from the PS4 database. To be on the safer side next time, set your message preferences to receive from Friends Only.

Though there was initially no comment from Sony or help from the official AskPlayStation Twitter account earlier, the company is now working to fix the glitch. In an email to VG247, the company explained, “We are aware of the situation and are planning a system software update to resolve this problem.”