Should You Leave Your PS5 in Rest Mode or Turn It Off?
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The debate between leaving your PlayStation 5 (PS5) in rest mode versus completely powering it down is a common one among gamers. Both options have their pros and cons, and the “best” choice ultimately depends on your individual needs and usage patterns. Here’s a direct answer to the question: For most users, it is generally better to leave your PS5 in rest mode rather than turning it off completely. However, there are specific scenarios where turning it off is recommended.
Understanding Rest Mode and Full Power Off
Before diving into the pros and cons, let’s define what each option entails:
- Rest Mode: This is a low-power state where the PS5 is not actively running games or applications, but it remains partially active. It allows the console to perform background tasks, such as downloading updates, charging controllers, and enabling remote play. In rest mode, the PS5 is indicated by a solid orange light.
- Full Power Off: This completely shuts down the PS5, drawing no power and stopping all processes. The console will be completely off, with no lights indicating its state.
Why Rest Mode is Often the Preferred Choice
Here’s why many gamers prefer utilizing rest mode:
- Faster Startup: When you boot up your PS5 from rest mode, it starts up almost instantly. This is because the system isn’t entirely shut down, which is a major time saver compared to a full system start.
- Game Resumption: Rest mode allows you to seamlessly pick up games exactly where you left off. No need to reload saved games or navigate menus, letting you jump right back into the action.
- Background Downloads: One of the most significant advantages of rest mode is the ability to download game updates, patches, and even entire games in the background. This is incredibly convenient, particularly with large-size games, because your console can take care of updates while you sleep.
- Remote Play: If you want to access your PS5 remotely through Remote Play, it needs to be in rest mode to work. The PS5 needs to be in rest mode to be “on” enough to be reached over the internet or local network.
- Controller Charging: The PS5 can conveniently charge your controllers while in rest mode, ensuring they are ready for your next gaming session.
- Minimal Power Consumption: Despite its active background processes, the PS5 consumes very little power in rest mode. Reports indicate that the PS5 uses around 1.3W of energy in rest mode with all features enabled, which is significantly less than the PS4 Pro. This is crucial if you are environmentally conscious, or trying to keep energy costs down.
When Turning Your PS5 Off is Recommended
While rest mode is generally beneficial, there are specific instances where powering down your PS5 completely is advisable:
- Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues with your console, such as freezing or unresponsive behavior, a full shutdown can sometimes resolve the problem, by giving the system a fresh start.
- Extended Absences: If you are going to be away from your PS5 for an extended period (e.g., going on vacation), powering it off fully is sensible to further reduce energy consumption and any potential issues.
- Rest Mode Bugs: If you experience issues where your console fails to come out of rest mode, it’s better to turn it off until the issue is resolved. The article states that “If your console turns off after entering Rest Mode, even though you don’t turn off the console yourself, you should turn off Rest Mode, allowing you to avoid the Rest Mode bug that prevents some PS5s from turning back on.”
- Preventing Overheating: While the PS5 is designed to handle heat efficiently, it’s wise to fully shut it down every once in a while, to let the components completely cool. It can also prevent issues with overheating if the system’s cooling fan becomes less efficient from excess dust or dirt.
The Bottom Line
For the average user who enjoys convenience and often plays daily, rest mode is the ideal choice. It allows for quick start-ups, game resumption, background downloads, and charging, all while using minimal power. However, knowing when to turn it off can also be beneficial for troubleshooting, preventing potential issues and saving power during long absences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does leaving the PS5 in rest mode use a lot of electricity?
No. The PS5 uses very little power in rest mode. It consumes about 1.3W of energy with all features enabled, making it an energy-efficient option.
2. What does the orange light on my PS5 mean?
A solid orange light indicates that the PS5 is in rest mode. This is normal and indicates that it is charging controllers and/or downloading content.
3. Can I download games while my PS5 is in rest mode?
Yes, absolutely. Rest mode is specifically designed to enable background downloads for games, patches, and updates.
4. Can I start a Remote Play session if my PS5 is turned off?
No, your PS5 needs to be in rest mode to initiate a Remote Play session.
5. Should I unplug my PS5 when not in use?
It’s generally not necessary to unplug your PS5 when not in use. However, if your PS5 is in rest mode, do not unplug it to avoid potential SSD damage. If it’s fully turned off, it is fine to unplug it, but it’s generally unneeded, and can be a hassle.
6. Why does my PS5 turn on by itself when I turn off my TV?
This is likely due to HDMI-CEC (or HDMI Device Link) being enabled. You can turn this feature off in your PS5 settings under “HDMI.”
7. How do I know if my PS5 is overheating?
Signs of overheating include a loud fan, graphical glitches (e.g., white or black artifacts), and possibly the system turning off abruptly.
8. Is it okay to leave my PS5 turned on for extended periods?
You can leave your PS5 on for days at a time, as long as there is sufficient airflow around the console to prevent overheating.
9. Does rest mode make downloads faster?
Yes, rest mode can result in faster downloads because it prioritizes the use of your available internet bandwidth for downloads.
10. How do I disable rest mode on my PS5?
Go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Rest Mode, and then select “Don’t Put in Rest Mode.”
11. How often should I clean my PS5?
It’s a good idea to clean your PS5 every three to six months to prevent dust buildup and overheating. Use a low-suction vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the air vents without opening the console.
12. Is it safe to use a vacuum to clean my PS5?
Yes, it’s safe to use a low-suction vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the air vents, provided the PS5 is turned off and unplugged first.
13. What is the “white light of death” on a PS5?
If your PS5 indicator light only blinks white or does not turn solid white after turning on, it may be frozen and require troubleshooting.
14. Is it bad to turn off my PS5 without closing a game?
No, you won’t damage the console. However, sudden power loss could corrupt any active data on your SSD. It is recommended to properly save and exit games, when possible.
15. Is it better to fully shut down the console instead of using Rest Mode, when not using the system?
When you are not actively playing games on the system and your are finished using it for a long time, it may be better to do a full shut down. The system will be completely off and not running any services, which also can slightly help with the life of the system in the long term. However, with the low power usage of rest mode, the choice is up to the user.