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To stop automatic PS5 system-software updates, open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings, then turn off both Download Update Files Automatically and Install Update Files Automatically. These are separate controls: switching off only one does not disable the other. Game and app updates have their own settings, so change those separately if you want to stop game patches too.
For overnight isolation, you can also turn off the PS5’s rest-mode internet connection or fully shut down the console. These choices have different trade-offs: an offline PS5 in rest mode can still provide enabled rest-mode features, while a fully powered-off console cannot download updates in the background.
What should I turn off to stop PS5 system updates?
Turn off both system-software switches: Download Update Files Automatically and Install Update Files Automatically. The first controls fetching update files; the second controls automatic installation. Sony documents how to enable them, and disabling them means setting those same controls to off.
The two controls are independent. If you leave downloads on but turn installations off, the PS5 can fetch update files without automatically applying them in rest mode; you can decide when to install. If you want to stop automatic firmware fetching as well as installation, turn both off. Turning off the download setting does not erase an update file that was already downloaded.
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Steps to disable automatic system updates
- From the PS5 home screen, select the Settings gear icon.
- Go to System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
- Set Download Update Files Automatically to off.
- Set Install Update Files Automatically to off.
- Before leaving the screen, check that both switches show off.
You do not need to change a network address, use a USB drive, or install anything to disable these options. Menu wording can vary with system-software version, language, and region, but Sony’s US support instructions use the labels above. On the Italian-language menu documented by Everyeye on October 21, 2026, the corresponding controls are Scarica i file di aggiornamento automaticamente and Installa i file di aggiornamento automaticamente.
BGR reported in 2026 that these system-update settings apply to the console rather than to an individual user profile. That means one person changing the settings may affect other users of that PS5. Sony’s auto-update support article does not explicitly describe the controls as per-console or per-profile, so treat the global-setting detail as BGR’s reporting rather than a Sony statement. BGR also says the switches are enabled by default; Sony does not state their factory-default position in its public auto-update instructions.
What each system-update switch does
| Setting | What it controls | What happens when it is off |
|---|---|---|
| Download Update Files Automatically | Fetching system-software update files automatically. | The console does not automatically fetch system-update files through this setting. |
| Install Update Files Automatically | Automatically installing system-software updates, including in rest mode when the required conditions are met. | The console does not automatically install system updates through this setting. |
Think of downloading and installing as separate decisions. Leaving downloads on and installs off may be useful if you want update files ready but do not want firmware applied automatically. Turning both off is the more direct choice if your priority is to prevent automatic system-update downloads altogether. Neither setting is a guarantee that you will never see an update prompt: Sony says there may be times when an update needs your approval, and some applications or content may require updated system software.
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Can a PS5 still update in rest mode?
Rest mode is Sony’s background-update route: automatic system updates in rest mode require Stay Connected to the Internet to be enabled. If the system-update switches remain on, the console is online in rest mode, and it has entered rest mode, it can download or install updates according to those settings. Sony describes the purpose as having system software updated by the next time you use the console.
If you want to stop the overnight update path without turning off every rest-mode feature, you can disconnect the PS5 from the internet while it rests. If you need a stronger pause, fully turn it off. The simple comparison is:
- Rest mode, connected: background downloads or installations may occur if the relevant automatic-update settings are on.
- Rest mode, offline: background internet downloads stop, while other enabled rest-mode functions can remain available.
- Fully powered off: the console cannot perform rest-mode downloads or installations, but it also cannot provide rest-mode functions.
Turn off internet access in rest mode
- Open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Set Stay Connected to the Internet to off.
This prevents rest-mode internet activity, including background update downloads, while the console stays in rest mode. It is an additional way to pause background activity, not a replacement for checking the two system-software switches. A PS5 in rest mode can still provide other enabled rest-mode features; for example, USB ports can continue supplying power for supported controller charging.
The same screen includes Enable Turning On PS5 from Network, which allows the PlayStation App or Remote Play to wake the console from rest mode. Turning that option off is another layer of isolation, but it is not a substitute for disabling the system-update switches or rest-mode internet. If you want to keep charging a DualSense controller from the console, USB power can remain enabled even when rest-mode internet is off. Sony documents adaptive USB charging for CFI-2000 model-group consoles and later mentions CFI-2000/7000 models.
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There is a power trade-off to keeping rest-mode features enabled. Sony Interactive Entertainment says that if you enable any feature under Features Available in Rest Mode, the PS5 does not automatically lower rest-mode power consumption below 0.5 W; more enabled features mean more rest-mode power use. That is Sony’s stated floor when features are enabled, not a claim that every console draws exactly 0.5 W.
Rest mode versus fully turning off the PS5
To enter rest mode, press the PS button, open Control Center > Power > Enter Rest Mode, or press the console’s power button once. The power indicator is orange in rest mode. To shut down fully, choose Control Center > Power > Turn Off PS5, or press and hold the console power button until it beeps. A fully powered-off console cannot download or install updates in the background.
Rest mode is a low-power state, not the same as a complete shutdown. It can preserve convenience features such as USB charging and network wake-up, depending on your settings. BGR reported in 2026 that Sony product-management vice president Cory Gasaway described PS5 owners as being split about evenly between rest mode and full shutdown. BGR also reported a Reddit poll with 308 votes for shutdown and 202 for rest mode out of 510 votes; that is a forum poll, not a Sony study.
Prevent the console from entering rest mode automatically
Sony says factory settings put the PS5 into rest mode after a period of inactivity. To adjust that timer, go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode. Choosing Don’t Put in Rest Mode keeps the console on instead, but it uses more power than rest mode. If the console is allowed to enter rest mode and its internet connection and update settings are enabled, it may still update while idle.
Changing the inactivity timer is not the most direct way to stop automatic system updates. It changes when the console enters rest mode; it does not turn off either firmware-update switch. If your goal is to keep the PS5 available for use but prevent background firmware fetching, change the two update settings. If the goal is overnight isolation, turn off rest-mode internet or use Turn Off PS5.
How do I stop automatic game and app updates?
Game and app patches use a separate menu from system firmware. To control them, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates and adjust Auto-Download and Auto-Install in Rest Mode.
| Setting | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Auto-Download | Automatically downloads game and app update files. |
| Auto-Install in Rest Mode | Automatically installs game and app updates while the console is in rest mode. |
Turning off system-software updates does not turn off these game and app controls, and changing game-update settings does not stop firmware updates. If your concern is overnight bandwidth use, review both menus. Game downloads may compete with streaming or online play on the same home connection; stopping game downloads can address that even when you leave system updates enabled. A large patch downloading while someone else is streaming video is one example of why you might want to disable game Auto-Download as well as firmware downloads.
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Keep a suspended game from being closed by an update
Sony advises turning on only Auto-Download if you do not want a suspended game closed by an automatic install. The download can happen in rest mode, and when you resume the game, you can choose whether to install the update. However, Sony also says that starting a game or app automatically updates it to the newest version available. With auto-install off, a waiting patch may therefore still be applied when you launch that title.
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The game-update settings apply to installed titles, whether they came from a disc or a digital download. A disc game still requires its disc to be inserted to play, but update files can download for an installed title when the relevant network and update conditions are met. A disc copy does not create a separate firmware-update setting.
What if the update has already downloaded or started installing?
Turning off automatic downloads does not delete a system-update file already on the console. If an update is queued but has not started installing, check PS button > Control Center > Downloads/Uploads. A queued item may offer Cancel and Delete; use that only if the option is available before installation starts. Availability may depend on the state of the update.
Sony’s troubleshooting path for a stuck system download is PS button > Control Center > Downloads/Uploads, highlight the system-software update, select View Error Info, then choose Try Again. That path retries a download; it is not a cancellation command. If the system update is simply waiting, changing the automatic-download setting does not remove it from the queue.
If installation has begun, do not turn off the console or disconnect its AC power cord. Sony warns: “Don’t turn off your console during the installation. Interrupting the installation can cause your console to be damaged.” Sony also cautions against disconnecting the power cord while the indicator is lit or blinking because that may cause data loss, corruption, or damage. Let the installation finish before changing settings or shutting down.
How can I check which system-software version is installed?
Go to Settings > System > System Software > Console Information. The installed version appears there; Sony says the console is current when Up to date is shown beneath the version. A notification offering an update does not, by itself, prove that the update has already installed. Console Information also displays the console name, IP address, and MAC address, so hide those identifiers along with any serial number if sharing a photo of the screen. The firmware number is enough to show which version is installed.
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To check for an update manually later, open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. If a newer version is available, the screen shows Update Available; select Update System Software when you are ready. For an individual game, highlight its tile, press the Options button, and choose Check for Update. These manual checks let you review updates on your own schedule, but Sony still recommends keeping the console current.
As of October 29, 2026, Sony’s public PS5 system-software page lists version 26.07-14.20.00 and says it improved messages and usability on some screens. IGN reported the same version and a 1.2 GB update size on October 21, 2026. These details are date-specific; check Sony’s support page and Console Information for the current version when you read this. The previous version, 26.06-14.10.00, listed security fixes as well as performance and stability improvements. Version 26.06-14.00.00 enabled Enhance PSSR Image Quality by default on PS5 Pro only.
What are the trade-offs of stopping automatic updates?
Disabling automatic updates gives you more control over when update files are downloaded and installed, but it also means the console may remain on older system software until you update it manually. Sony recommends keeping system software current and warns that some applications or content may not work until the console is updated. Sony’s notes for version 26.06-14.10.00 specifically list security fixes, so delaying updates can postpone security improvements as well as other changes.
Sony does not publish a live minimum-firmware table for signing in to PlayStation Network in the support material consulted for this article. Do not assume that version 26.07-14.20.00 is immediately required for all PSN access without a specific current Sony notice. The practical risk is that requirements for particular applications or content can change, and Sony says some may need a system update.
- Bandwidth or data-cap control: disabling automatic downloads can prevent updates from using the connection at an inconvenient time. Sony does not publish a measured overnight data volume for system updates; the size of a particular update can vary.
- Control over installation timing: leaving download on but install off lets you decide when to apply downloaded firmware or a game patch.
- Suspended-game continuity: for games, Sony’s Auto-Download-only approach delays automatic installation until you choose to proceed or launch the title.
- Time to see how a patch lands: some players prefer to wait before installing an update, but that choice can delay fixes and compatibility changes.
- Security and compatibility: postponing system updates also postpones included fixes and can eventually affect access to some applications or content.
Choose the setup that fits the reason you are pausing updates. For bandwidth management, you might disable game Auto-Download and system downloads, then manually check when convenient. To keep files ready while avoiding an automatic firmware installation, leave system downloads on and installations off. To reduce overnight network activity while keeping rest mode for controller charging, turn off Stay Connected to the Internet. Full shutdown is the clearest option when you do not want background rest-mode activity at all.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can I install a PS5 update manually later?
Yes. You can use the console’s system-update screen to check and install an available update when you choose. Sony also documents a USB method if an on-console download fails; USB installation is a supported update-management option, not a way to stop automatic updates or install an older firmware version. A USB flash drive is not needed for the settings changes in this guide.
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- Format a USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT.
- Create folders named
PS5/UPDATEon the drive. - Save Sony’s official update file in that folder as
PS5UPDATE.PUP. - Start the PS5 in Safe Mode by holding the power button until the second beep.
- Select Update System Software > Update from USB Storage Device.
Sony states that the USB drive needs approximately 1.1 GB of free space for the update file. Its separate reinstallation file needs approximately 1.2 GB, but reinstalling system software deletes all data on the console. Reinstallation is not a downgrade to an older public firmware release. Use only Sony’s official update files and documented methods; Sony warns that unofficial files or methods can prevent proper operation and affect warranty or repair eligibility. The USB procedure is a fallback for supported manual updating, not a way to reverse a version already installed.
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Custom DNS addresses are not necessary for the official settings steps above, and they are not an official Sony update-management method. A DNS blocklist also cannot be relied on to catch every update connection indefinitely. For a normal pause, use the console’s update switches and network settings rather than unofficial blocking methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PS5 system-update settings enabled by default?
BGR reported in 2026 that the system-update switches are enabled by default. Sony’s public auto-update support instructions explain how to enable them, but do not state their factory-default position.
Do PS5 update settings apply to every user on the console?
BGR reports that the system-update switches apply to the console rather than to an individual profile, so changing them may affect other users of that PS5. Sony’s cited auto-update article does not explicitly describe the setting as per-console or per-profile.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDoes turning off automatic updates stop game patches too?
No. System-software updates are controlled under System Software Update and Settings. Game and app patches have separate Auto-Download and Auto-Install in Rest Mode controls under Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates.
Can the PS5 download updates while it is in rest mode?
Yes, if the relevant automatic-update settings are on and the console is connected to the internet in rest mode. Turning off Stay Connected to the Internet stops rest-mode internet activity, while a full shutdown prevents background rest-mode downloads and installs.
Will turning off automatic downloads delete an update that is already queued?
No. The setting does not delete a file already downloaded. Before installation begins, Downloads/Uploads may offer Cancel and Delete for a queued update. If a system installation has started, do not interrupt it.
Can I keep game updates downloading without having them install over a suspended game?
Sony recommends turning on only Auto-Download when you do not want a suspended game closed by an automatic installation. You can choose whether to install after resuming, although Sony says starting a game or app automatically updates it to the newest version available.
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Will resetting a PS5 remove an update that is already installed?
No. A factory reset or system-software reinstallation is not an official way to downgrade to an older public firmware version. Sony warns that reinstalling system software deletes console data.
Is it safe to unplug the PS5 if an update is installing?
No. Sony warns not to turn off the console during installation and not to disconnect the AC power cord while the power indicator is lit or blinking. Interrupting an installation can damage the console or cause data loss or corruption.
The Bottom Line
To stop automatic PS5 firmware updates, turn off both Download Update Files Automatically and Install Update Files Automatically under Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. If you also want to stop game patches, change their separate Automatic Updates settings. For overnight isolation, turn off Stay Connected to the Internet in rest mode or fully shut down the console. Update manually when you are ready, and never interrupt an installation already in progress.
