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• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Reset a stuck PS3
• Method 2 of 3: Reset the video output settings
• Method 3 of 3: Booting a PS3 in Safe Mode

There can be many reasons for resetting your PS3. If your game is frozen, a quick reset will likely fix that problem in no time. If you've changed your TV or cable, you may need to reset the video output settings. If the device freezes regularly or if you have problems with the XMB, you may have to boot the PS3 in safe mode.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Reset a stuck PS3

1. Press and hold the activation key. If your PS3 is frozen, you can reset it manually. Since your controller is probably also not functioning properly, you will have to do this with the console itself.
2. Press and hold the activation key for about 30 seconds. You will now hear three short beeps and your PS3 will turn off.
3. Wait a few seconds and then press the activation key again to turn your PS3 back on. Don't do this with your controller as it probably won't find the device right away.
4. Let the system check what went wrong. Your PS3 will likely check the disc for errors automatically. This can take a while, but can also be done within seconds.

Method 2 of 3: Reset the video output settings

1. Make sure the PS3 is turned off. The light on the front of the device should be red.
   • If you changed your TV or HDMI cable, you may need to reset the PS3 this way if nothing appears on the screen when you turn it on.
2. Unplug the PS3 and TV.
3. Make sure the PS3 is connected to the TV with an HDMI cable.
4. Plug the power cords of both the PS3 and TV back into the wall outlet.
5. Turn on the TV and switch to the correct HDMI input.
6. Press and hold the PS3's activation key until you hear the second beep. This takes about five seconds.
7. Use the PS3 controller to set the picture. You may have to press the PS button first to activate the controller.
8. Go to "Settings" → "Picture settings". You can now set the correct resolution.

Method 3 of 3: Booting a PS3 in Safe Mode

1. Know what safe mode is for. The PS3's Safe Mode is designed to give you access to tools that can fix a system hang-up problem. You can use safe mode to rebuild the file system or return the PS3 to its factory settings.
2. Back up your saved games. Before booting the PS3 into safe mode, it's a good idea to save your data in case something goes wrong. You can do this on a USB stick, for example. Most games take up about 5 to 20 MB.
   • Insert the USB stick into your PS3.
   • Open the menu and select "Saved data".
   • Scroll to the first game you want to back up.
   • Press the green triangle and select "Copy".
   • Choose your USB stick and copy the file. Do this with any games you want to back up.
3. Turn off your PS3. In order to boot the device in safe mode, you will need to turn off the PS3 first.
4. Press and hold the activation key. You will now hear the first beep.
5. Keep holding the button until you hear a second and then a third beep. The system will now shut down and the light on the device will turn red.
6. Press the activation key again. You will now hear the first and second beep as before.
7. Keep pressing the activation key until you hear two short beeps. Now release the button. Now the message will appear: "Connect the controller with the USB cable, then press the PS button".
8. Connect a controller to the device and turn it on. You cannot use wireless controllers in safe mode.
9. Use safe mode to reboot your PS3. There are several ways to solve the problems you are experiencing with your PS3. Try these in the order presented to see if they help. Should one way fail to fix the problem, try the next one.
   • Restore file system - Damaged files on the hard disk will be repaired.
   • Reconstruct database - The database data on your hard drive will be repaired. All messages, notifications and folders will be deleted. However, your files will remain on the disk.
   • Restore PS3 system - The PS3's memory will be formatted, returning the device to its factory defaults. All files on the hard drive will be deleted. So make sure you save the files you want to keep before choosing this option.