Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Use the PS5 controller to open the Control Center, choose Power, then select Enter Rest Mode for a low-power standby state or Turn Off PS5 for a complete shutdown. Rest Mode is confirmed by a steady orange light; a full shutdown is confirmed only when the indicator is completely dark. Never remove the AC cable while the indicator is lit or blinking.
The two power commands at a glance
The PS5 has separate commands for standby and shutdown. Press the PS button on a paired controller, select Power in the Control Center, and then choose the state you want.
| Command | What it does | Final indicator | Functions that can remain available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enter Rest Mode | Places the console in a low-power state rather than shutting it down. | Steady orange | Depending on your settings, USB power, an internet connection for downloads and updates, and a suspended game or app. |
| Turn Off PS5 | Shuts the console down completely. | No light | None. Charging, downloads and installations stop while the console is off. |
The indicator can flash white while the PS5 changes state. Treat the steady final indication—not the initial flash—as confirmation. Sony’s power-saving instructions describe both commands and the settings that control Rest Mode features at PlayStation Support: How to change power-saving settings on PlayStation consoles.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHow to enter Rest Mode with the controller
- Press the PS button on the controller. This opens the Control Center along the bottom of the screen.
- Select Power.
- Select Enter Rest Mode.
- Wait for the indicator to blink white and then settle on orange. Orange means Rest Mode is active.
The display may go blank before the light reaches its final color. Do not disconnect power during the transition. To wake the console later, press the PS button on the controller; the PS5 leaves Rest Mode and returns to the active system or suspended game when that feature is available.
#1 Best Overall
- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
Entering Rest Mode with the console button
If you are beside the console and do not want to use the controller, press the PS5’s physical power button once. A single press requests Rest Mode. Watch the indicator and wait for the orange light before treating the operation as complete. A short press is different from the shutdown method below; do not hold the button when your intention is only to enter standby.
How to turn the PS5 off completely with the controller
- Press the controller’s PS button to open the Control Center.
- Select Power.
- Select Turn Off PS5.
- Wait while the indicator blinks white and then turns off completely.
No light is the confirmation that the console has finished shutting down. A blank television screen or a momentary white flash is not enough to confirm that the PS5 is off. Keep the console connected until the indicator is dark.
Turning the console off with the physical power button
Press and hold the PS5’s power button until the console beeps. The screen goes blank, the indicator flashes white, and the light eventually turns off. Release the button after the beep, then wait for the no-light state. Do not pull the AC cable simply because the screen has gone black or the indicator is still flashing.
What happens during the change of state
The light sequence is deliberate. When you choose Rest Mode, the PS5 can briefly flash white before reaching steady orange. When you choose a full shutdown, it can also flash white before becoming dark. During either sequence, the operating system is finishing its transition, so the screen is not a reliable indicator of completion. The final light is the useful confirmation: orange for Rest Mode and no light for a complete shutdown.
If the console appears quiet but the light has not reached its final state, give it time rather than pressing buttons repeatedly or removing the cable. Interrupting power while the indicator is solid or blinking can damage the console or corrupt data. If a transition repeatedly fails to finish, consult PlayStation support instead of forcing the AC connection out.
Reading every PS5 power indicator state
| Indicator | State | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| White | The console is on. | Use the Control Center’s Power menu when you are ready to enter Rest Mode or shut down. |
| Orange | The console is in Rest Mode. | Press the PS button to wake it, or leave it in standby for enabled background functions. |
| No light | The console is fully off. | It will not charge controllers, download content or install it until you power it on again. |
| Blinking white | The PS5 is changing state. | Wait for orange (Rest Mode) or no light (off). Do not unplug it during this interval. |
For the official descriptions of the colors and transitions, see PlayStation Support: Power indicator lights on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles.
What Rest Mode can continue doing
Rest Mode is not a second name for “off.” It reduces power use while leaving selected system functions available. The exact behavior depends on the options you enable under the power-saving settings.
Charging through USB
You can allow the PS5 to supply power to USB ports while it is in Rest Mode. That lets a connected controller charge without leaving the console fully on. If USB power is disabled, a controller connected to the PS5 will not charge from Rest Mode.
Downloads and updates over the internet
You can allow the console to stay connected to the internet in Rest Mode. With that option enabled, the PS5 can continue eligible downloads and updates while you are away. A full shutdown ends this activity; the console cannot download or install content while it is off.
Suspending a game or app
Rest Mode can preserve a suspended game or app so you can return to it after waking the console. This is different from saving game progress: use the game’s own save function when you need a durable save, because Rest Mode is a power state rather than a replacement for saving.
The power trade-off
Every Rest Mode feature that remains enabled uses some electricity. The more functions you leave available, the more power the PS5 consumes in Rest Mode. A complete shutdown uses less power than Rest Mode because those background functions stop.
Recommended Free Tools
Change how and when Rest Mode works
Set the automatic Rest Mode timer
To control how long the console can remain idle before entering standby, open:
Rank #2
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
- 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
- Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
- HDR technology, 8K output, 4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
- Settings
- System
- Power Saving
- Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode
Choose the interval offered by your console. This setting controls automatic entry into Rest Mode; it does not turn the PS5 completely off.
Choose the functions available in Rest Mode
Open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode. From there, choose whether the console can supply power to USB ports and whether it can stay connected to the internet. Sony notes that options and labels can vary by PS5 model group or system software version, so a slightly different label does not necessarily indicate a problem.
Prevent automatic Rest Mode
If you select Don’t Put in Rest Mode, the PS5 remains on instead of entering standby automatically. That uses more power than Rest Mode. It is useful only when you deliberately need the console to stay fully active; it is not the same as a complete shutdown.
Match settings to your routine
If you routinely charge a controller overnight, enable USB power and use Rest Mode. If you want overnight patches, enable the internet connection as well. If you are leaving for an extended period and do not need either function, choose Turn Off PS5 instead. Settings govern what Rest Mode can do, but they never change the meaning of the indicator: orange is still standby and no light is still off.
Which state should you choose?
Use Rest Mode when you will return soon
- You want a connected controller to charge through USB.
- You want downloads or updates to continue while the console is unattended.
- You want to resume a suspended game or app quickly.
- You accept the additional electricity used by those enabled features.
Turn the PS5 off when you are finished for an extended period
- You do not need USB charging, downloads or installations to continue.
- You want all Rest Mode activity to stop.
- You are transporting the console or need to disconnect it after confirming the indicator is dark.
The decision is about the console’s state, not about whether the television is displaying an image. A dark television can occur before the PS5 has completed its transition, so always use the indicator as the final check.
AC-power safety: when it is safe to unplug
Do not use unplugging as a routine shutdown method. First select Turn Off PS5 or use the physical-button shutdown procedure, and then wait until the indicator is off. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s CFI-71XX PS5 Quick Start Guide gives this warning: “Disconnect the AC power cord from the electrical outlet only when the power indicator is off. If you disconnect it while the power indicator is on solidly or blinking, data might be lost or become corrupted, and you might damage your console.” The complete guide is available at Sony’s CFI-71XX PS5 Quick Start Guide.
That warning applies to both a solid indicator and a blinking indicator. Orange means Rest Mode, so the console is not fully off even though the screen is blank. Blinking white means a state change is still in progress. In either case, leave the AC cable connected.
Troubleshooting the most common mistakes
The light is orange and you expected the PS5 to be off
Orange is the normal Rest Mode indication. The console was placed in standby, not shut down. Wake it with the PS button, then choose Power > Turn Off PS5 and wait for no light.
The light is still blinking white
The PS5 has not reached its final state. Do not remove the power cable while it is blinking. Wait for orange if you selected Rest Mode or for no light if you selected shutdown. The official indicator guidance is linked above; if the console does not complete the transition, use PlayStation’s support channels rather than interrupting power.
The screen is blank but the indicator is not off
A blank screen only shows that video output has stopped. Check the console itself. Orange means Rest Mode; blinking white means the transition continues. Only no light confirms a complete shutdown.
A controller is not charging in Rest Mode
Open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and verify that USB power is enabled. Also check the cable and controller separately. A fully off PS5 cannot charge a controller because all Rest Mode functions are stopped.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Downloads are not continuing while the console is unattended
In the same Features Available in Rest Mode menu, enable the option to stay connected to the internet. If the PS5 is fully off, or if that option is disabled, downloads and installations will not continue.
Rank #3
- 🚀 CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- 🚀 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- 🚀 RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- 🚀 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
The PS5 enters Rest Mode sooner or later than expected
Review Settings > System > Power Saving > Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode. If Don’t Put in Rest Mode is selected, the console will remain on instead of entering standby automatically.
I pressed the power button once and got orange
That is the expected result of a single press: the console entered Rest Mode. To shut it down completely, wake it, open the Control Center, choose Power, then Turn Off PS5. Wait for the indicator to become dark.
Can I unplug it as soon as the TV turns off?
No. The television can lose its picture before the PS5 finishes changing state. Unplug only after the console’s indicator is completely off, never while it is orange, solid, or blinking.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A reliable shutdown checklist
- Save your game using its normal save command.
- Press PS, choose Power, and select Turn Off PS5.
- Keep watching the indicator while it flashes white.
- Proceed only after the light is completely off.
- Disconnect the AC cable only if you genuinely need to move or service the console, and only after the no-light state is confirmed.
For ordinary short breaks, use Enter Rest Mode instead and wait for orange. The same indicator check prevents confusing a sleeping console with one that has finished shutting down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I put a PS5 in Rest Mode?
Press the PS button, select Power in the Control Center, and choose Enter Rest Mode. Wait for the indicator to finish blinking white and become orange. You can also press the console’s power button once.
How do I turn a PS5 off completely?
Open the Control Center with the PS button, choose Power, select Turn Off PS5, and wait until the indicator is completely dark. Holding the physical power button until it beeps is an alternative.
What does an orange light mean on PS5?
A steady orange indicator means the PS5 is in Rest Mode, not fully off. Selected features such as USB power or internet access can remain available if enabled.
Is a PS5 off when the screen goes black?
Not necessarily. The display can go blank while the console is entering Rest Mode or shutting down. Confirm the console’s indicator instead: orange means Rest Mode, and no light means it is off.
Can a PS5 download games while turned off?
No. Downloads and installations stop when the console is fully off. To continue eligible downloads or updates while unattended, use Rest Mode and enable the option to stay connected to the internet.
Why is my controller not charging in Rest Mode?
USB power may be disabled. Go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and enable power to the USB ports. A fully off console cannot charge it.
Is it safe to unplug a PS5 in Rest Mode?
No. Orange means the console is still in an operating power state. Shut it down first and wait until the indicator is off before disconnecting the AC cable.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What should I do if the indicator keeps blinking white?
Do not unplug the console or repeatedly interrupt it. Blinking white indicates a state change is still in progress. Wait for orange after selecting Rest Mode or for no light after selecting shutdown; contact PlayStation support if it does not finish.
The Bottom Line
Choose Control Center > Power > Enter Rest Mode and wait for orange when you want standby features. Choose Turn Off PS5 and wait for no light when you need a complete shutdown. Never disconnect AC power while the indicator is lit or blinking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
