Why is My PS4 Saying I Have No Storage? The Ultimate Guide

Your PlayStation 4 (PS4) flashing the dreaded “Not Enough Storage Space” notification? It’s a common gamer woe, and frustrating to encounter when you’re geared up for a gaming session. The core reason is simple: your PS4’s hard drive is full or nearing capacity. This means you can’t save game data, download new content, or even install updates. While the PS4 boasts a 500GB or 1TB drive, modern games are storage hogs, quickly filling up available space. Let’s dive into the causes and solutions for this problem.

Understanding the Storage Culprits

Game Installations

Modern games are massive. Titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, and The Last of Us Part II can easily eat up 80GB to over 150GB of storage each. Installing just a few of these heavy hitters will quickly max out your PS4’s capacity. Digital game downloads are convenient but come at the cost of significant storage space.

Game Saves and Downloaded Content

Don’t underestimate the impact of game saves. Although individual save files may seem small, they accumulate. Some games create larger save files than others. Digital content such as DLC (Downloadable Content), add-ons, themes, and game updates also contribute to storage usage.

Captured Screenshots and Videos

Recording epic gaming moments is tempting, but screenshots and video clips take up space, especially if you record in high resolution. Regularly reviewing and deleting unwanted captures will reclaim valuable gigabytes.

Application Data

Applications, including streaming services, web browsers, and other utilities, store cached data and temporary files. Over time, this data can balloon and contribute to storage woes.

Solutions: Reclaiming Your PS4 Storage Space

Delete Unwanted Games and Applications

This is the most straightforward solution. Identify games you no longer play or are unlikely to replay soon. Deleting them frees up a significant amount of storage.

1. Go to Settings > Storage.
2. Select System Storage.
3. Select Applications.
4. Press the Options button on your controller and select Delete.
5. Choose the games and applications you want to remove, then select Delete again to confirm.

Manage Saved Data

Deleting old save files, especially for games you’ve completed, is another way to claw back storage space.

1. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Delete.
2. Select the game and choose the save files you want to remove.
3. Select Delete to confirm.

Review Captured Screenshots and Videos

Regularly audit your Capture Gallery and delete unwanted screenshots and video clips.

1. Go to Library > Applications > Capture Gallery.
2. Select the media you want to delete, press the Options button, and select Delete.

Clear Application Cache and Temporary Files

While the PS4 doesn’t offer a direct way to clear application cache, completely closing and restarting applications can sometimes help.

1. Close the application.
2. Highlight the application on the PS4 home screen and press the Options button.
3. Select Close Application.
4. Restart the application.

Upgrade Your Internal Hard Drive

Replacing the internal hard drive with a larger capacity drive is a more permanent solution. This requires some technical knowledge, but it’s a viable option if you consistently run out of storage. You can upgrade to a larger HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). SSDs offer faster loading times and improved performance but are typically more expensive.

1. Purchase a compatible 2.5-inch SATA hard drive or SSD that’s no thicker than 9.5mm.
2. Back up your PS4 data to an external hard drive or the cloud.
3. Follow online guides to replace the internal hard drive.
4. Reinstall the PS4 system software.

Use an External Hard Drive for Extended Storage

The PS4 supports using an external hard drive as extended storage. This is a simple and convenient way to expand your storage capacity without replacing the internal drive.

1. Purchase a compatible USB 3.0 external hard drive with a capacity of 250GB to 8TB.
2. Connect the external hard drive to your PS4.
3. Go to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.
4. Select the external hard drive and choose Format as Extended Storage.

Addressing Potential System Errors

Rebuilding the Database

Sometimes, a corrupted database can lead to storage issues. Rebuilding the database can resolve these problems.

1. Turn off your PS4 completely.
2. Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps (this puts the PS4 into Safe Mode).
3. Connect your controller via USB.
4. Select Rebuild Database from the Safe Mode menu.

Initializing the PS4

As a last resort, you can initialize the PS4, which will restore it to its factory settings. This will erase all data on your PS4, so back up your data first.

1. Turn off your PS4 completely.
2. Enter Safe Mode as described above.
3. Select Initialize PS4 from the Safe Mode menu.

Preventing Future Storage Problems

• Regularly manage your storage: Make it a habit to delete unwanted games, saves, and media.
• Consider cloud storage: PlayStation Plus members can upload save data to the cloud, freeing up space on the internal drive.
• Uninstall games after completion: Only keep the games you actively play.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I check how much storage space is available on my PS4?

Go to Settings > Storage to view the available storage space on your PS4’s system storage and any connected extended storage devices.

2. Can I use any external hard drive with my PS4?

No. You need a USB 3.0 external hard drive with a capacity between 250GB and 8TB. It must be formatted correctly, which the PS4 will guide you through.

3. Does deleting a game also delete my saved data?

No, deleting a game doesn’t automatically delete your saved data. Saved data is stored separately. You need to manage saved data separately under Application Saved Data Management.

4. Will upgrading to an SSD make my PS4 faster?

Yes, upgrading to an SSD will significantly improve loading times in games and overall system responsiveness compared to the stock HDD.

5. What is “Safe Mode” on the PS4, and how do I access it?

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to troubleshoot various issues. To access Safe Mode, turn off your PS4 completely. Then, press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps.

6. What does “Rebuilding Database” do on the PS4?

Rebuilding the database scans the hard drive and creates a new database of all content. This can fix issues caused by corrupted data.

7. Is it safe to unplug an external hard drive while the PS4 is running?

No. Always properly eject the external hard drive through the PS4’s settings before unplugging it. Failing to do so can cause data loss or corruption.

8. How do I back up my PS4 data?

You can back up your PS4 data to an external hard drive or the cloud (if you have PlayStation Plus). Go to Settings > System > Backup and Restore.

9. What is the difference between “Quick Format” and “Full Format” when formatting an external hard drive for use with my PS4?

Quick Format is faster but doesn’t thoroughly erase data. Full Format takes longer but completely erases all data on the drive.

10. Can I use the same external hard drive for both PS4 and PC?

No, you cannot use the same external hard drive for both PS4 and PC simultaneously. Once formatted for use with the PS4, it cannot be used with a PC without reformatting, which will erase all data.

11. My PS4 says “Checking System Storage Status.” What does this mean?

This means your PS4 is checking the hard drive for errors. If it gets stuck in a loop, it could indicate a corrupted file system or hardware issues. Try rebuilding the database.

12. I deleted a game, but my storage space didn’t increase. Why?

Sometimes, the PS4 may not immediately reflect the freed-up space. Restarting the PS4 usually resolves this issue.

13. What is the error code CE-34335-8 on the PS4, and how do I fix it?

CE-34335-8 indicates that the PS4 cannot detect the hard drive. Check that the hard drive is correctly installed. If the problem persists, the hard drive may be faulty.

14. Is there a limit to the number of games I can install on my PS4?

There’s no specific limit, but you are limited by the available storage space on your hard drive. Once you run out of space, you’ll need to delete games to install new ones.

15. How do poorly optimized games affect storage on the PS4?

Poorly optimized games can create large files that consume excessive disk space. Removing saves and data for such games that you no longer play can significantly free up space. The Games Learning Society provides resources and insights into game design and optimization, highlighting the importance of efficient resource management in game development. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more!

By following these steps and understanding the causes of storage issues on your PS4, you can reclaim valuable space and keep gaming without interruption.