PS4 Slim stuck in safe mode update loop after sitting for a year, any fix without wiping the drive?
So I pulled my PS4 Slim out of the closet after it sat unused for over a year and now it's stuck in a boot loop I can't get out of. Here's exactly what happens:
Powers on straight into Safe Mode
Starts checking system storage status and freezes at 20%
Prompts me to connect a controller
Then tells me to plug in a USB drive containing an update file for version 11.02 or later
If I hit Cancel, it just shuts off
I've already tried
- Booting into Safe Mode and running Rebuild Database, same result
- Physically removing the HDD, blowing it out, and cleaning the connector pins, no change
The console still boots and responds to input so it doesn't feel like a total hardware failure. My main concern is losing my save data, is there any way to get this thing working again without doing a full factory reset / reinstall?
Any help appreciated, thanks 🙏