How To Clear Cache On PlayStation? [PS3, PS4, PS5]

Clearing your PlayStation’s cache is helpful in many cases, for example, when your games are slowing down or the system fails to install new games or apps. Thankfully, there are many ways to clear the cache on PlayStation: through a simple power cycle, via the system settings, and more.

Key Takeaways

• A cache holds temporary data related to the games and apps on your console.
• You can clean the PlayStation cache by rebuilding its database, restoring the file system, clearing the system cache from “Safe Mode,” and power cycling the console.
• The benefits of this process include an optimized console performance, increased RAM storage, error-solving, and elimination of corrupt data.

What Is PlayStation Cache?

A PlayStation cache is a temporary storage area that stores the frequently needed data related to your console’s installed apps and games. Therefore, these games will load quicker the next time you play them.

How To Clear Cache On PlayStation?

Each PlayStation model has varying ways to delete the cache data. However, “Power Cycling” is shared among all three models. Remember to wait until the “Power Light” goes out on your console before disconnecting the wires for the power cycle.

Also Read: How To Update PlayStation? [PS4 And PS5]

PlayStation 3

PS3 offers three different ways to eliminate its cache data. All the methods work well; however, deleting the cache from “Game Data Utility” only clears it for a particular game. Before moving ahead, know how to use two controllers on PC for multiplayer gaming.

Clear Game Cache

1. Select the “Games” menu on the “Dashboard.”
2. Scroll to “Game Data Utility.”

   

3. Next, highlight the game you want to clear the cache for and press the “Triangle” button on your controller.
4. A side menu will appear. Hit “Delete.”

   

Restore File System 

Boot your system into “Safe Mode” by holding the “Power” button on the PS3 until two beeps are audible.

1. Connect the controller and console via a USB cable. 
2. Press the “PS” button on your PS3 Controller to launch “Safe Mode.”
3. Choose the option “Restore File System.”

   

4. The console will restart to clear the piled-up cache.

Power Cycle

1. Ensure you completely turn off your PS3 before proceeding to the next steps.
2. Now, stop the electrical supply to the console by “Turning Off” the concerned switch on the electric board.
3. Plug out the “Power Cord” from your PS3 and wait for 5 minutes.
4. Plug in the “Power Cord” and “Turn On” the power switch.
5. Start your console with the “Power” button.

PlayStation 4

You can wipe the cache for particular games or the whole console. Plus, there is nothing to worry about while rebuilding the database since it does not harm your data. 

Clear Game Cache

1. Go to “Settings” from the “Dashboard.”

   

2. On the settings screen, scroll to “Application Saved Data Management.”

   

3. Pick “Saved Data In System Storage.”

   

4. Hit “Delete.”

   

5. Mark the games you want to clear the cache for and press the “Delete” button on the bottom right.

   

Note: Clearing the game data means you will lose your game progress, including the achievements, characters, and more. Therefore, back up the game data to “Online Cloud Storage” or copy it to an external storage device. Consequently, you can restore the progress after the cache clears.

Also Read: Serious Error Has Occurred In The System Software PS4

Rebuild Database

1. Once the console is shut down, hold the “Power” button for approximately 8 seconds.
2. You need to wait for two beep sounds. Let go on the second beep.
3. It will ask you to attach the wireless PS4 Controller to the console with a  compatible USB cable.

   

4. Press the “PS” button on the controller. 
5. Select the “Rebuild Database” option.

   

6. Pick “OK.”
7. You should see the “Rebuilding Database” screen.

You might also want to learn how to check the PS4 controller battery on a PC.

Power Cycle

1. Turn off your system.
2. Halt the power supply by “Switching Off” on the switchboard.

   

3. Disconnect the “Power Cord” from the back of your console.
4. Let 5 minutes pass.
5. Reconnect the “Power Cord.”
6. Resume the power supply by “Switching On” from the switchboard and start your console.

   

PlayStation 5

The cache for PS5 can be cleared by accessing the “Clear Cache And Rebuild Database” option in the “Safe Mode.” However, for games cache, you can go to the “Settings” menu. 

Clear Game Cache

1. Click on the “Settings” gear on the “Dashboard.”

   

2. Head to “Saved Data And Game/App Settings.”

   

3. Choose “Saved Data (PS5)” on the left menu and go to “Console Storage.”

   

4. Move to the “Delete” section from the upper menu.
5. Select the games and press “Delete.”

   

6. Choose “OK” from the pop-up to proceed with the process.

   

Note: Upload the game data to “Cloud Storage” or a USB device before deleting the cache. This will ensure you do not lose your in-game progress after the process.

Also Check: PS5 Error CE-107891-6 [FIXED]

Safe Mode

1. Shut down your PS5 console.
2. Hold the “Power” button on the console till you hear the second beep sound.
3. Connect the PS5 controller to the console with a USB cable. 

   

4. Then, press the “PS” button. 
5. Move to the fifth option, “Clear Cache And Rebuild Database.”

   

6. Go with “Clear System Software Cache.”

   

7. Choose “OK” to confirm your choice.

You might also be interested in reading about how to fix PS5 controller not working on PC.

Rebuild Database

1. On the “Safe Mode” screen, choose “Clear Cache And Rebuild Database.”

   

2. Pick “Rebuild Database.”

   

3. Your system will initiate rebuilding its database and simultaneously clear the cache.

Power Cycle

1. Completely turn off your device.
2. “Switch Off” from the electric board.
3. Remove the “Power Cable” from the back of your PS5.
4. Wait for 5 minutes before reconnecting the “Power Cord.”
5. “Switch On” from the electric board and turn on your PS5.

When Should You Clear PlayStation Cache?

Deleting cache is a necessary troubleshooting step in several situations, for instance, when your console’s performance is getting slower than usual and is often lagging. Moreover, glitches, bugs, or frequent crashes and freezes could hint at a need for cache clearing.

In addition, eliminating the cache data can help when the storage is almost full, and you need space for storing updated data for your games and apps. Similarly, resort to the process when you face PlayStation or in-game errors.

Also Read: SOLVED: PS4 Won’t Turn ON

The Benefits Of Clearing PlayStation Cache

Eliminating the cache in your PlayStation console can bring several benefits to your system to strengthen its operation. For instance, it can;

• Boost the functioning of your PlayStation.
• Fix persistent system, game, and app errors.
• Delete unnecessary temporary files, including any corrupt data within them. 
• Resolve prolonged loading time issues.
• Eliminate glitches, freezes, and system crashes.
• Free up space in the RAM storage to store new content.
• Get rid of problems faced during the installation process.

Final Words

These are all the ways on how to clear the cache on your PlayStations, along with the reasons why you should do so. Remember to let the console shut down properly before removing the power plugs; otherwise, it may be unhealthy for the system.