It’s dark. You’ve just unboxed a $500 piece of hardware. You’re staring at the sleek, futuristic fins of the PlayStation 5, and honestly, you have no idea how to turn the thing on. You aren't alone. Thousands of people literally google "where is the power button on ps5" every single week because Sony decided that minimalism was more important than, well, visible labels.
The struggle is real.
If you have the standard Disc Edition, you’re looking at two identical-looking thin black strips. One of them ejects your game. The other brings the beast to life. If you have the Digital Edition, you only have one button, which makes things easier, but it's still tucked away like a secret handshake. It’s a far cry from the chunky, satisfying click of the PS1 or the massive touch-sensitive panels on the early PS3.
✨ Don't miss: Why That Purple 8 Bit Jason Voorhees Still Terrifies and Confuses Us
Locating the power button on PS5 models
Let's get straight to it so you can actually start playing. If your console is standing vertically—the way Sony’s marketing team loves to show it off—the buttons are at the bottom of the glossy black middle section. On the PS5 Disc Edition, the power button is the one closer to the bottom (the base). The button above it is the Eject button.
Think of it this way: the Power button is always the "outer" or "lower" button depending on how you orient the machine.
For those of you laying the console horizontally, which is arguably safer if you have a cat that likes to knock things over, the power button is the one on the left. It’s small. It’s black. It blends into the "piano black" plastic so well that it practically disappears in a dim room. If you’re using the PS5 Slim, Sony actually separated these buttons a bit more to help with the confusion, placing the Eject button closer to the disc drive itself. But on that original "fat" model? It’s a guessing game every single time until you memorize the tactile feel.
Why does it feel so hidden?
Sony’s design philosophy with the PS5 was clearly "form over function." They wanted a centerpiece, a conversation starter. By hiding the buttons in the seam of the console’s "waist," they kept the lines clean. But they also forgot that humans need to, you know, touch things. Unlike the Xbox Series X, which has a massive glowing logo that doubles as a button, the PS5 logo is just a cutout. It does absolutely nothing when you press it.
Most people eventually give up on the physical button entirely. Why? Because the DualSense controller is better at the job. Holding the PS button in the center of your gamepad is the way 99% of players actually interact with the hardware. But when that controller loses its sync or the battery dies, you’re forced to go on a scavenger hunt for that tiny sliver of plastic on the chassis.
Understanding the "Beeps" and Light Codes
Pressing the power button on PS5 isn't just about "on" and "off." It’s a language.
When you tap it once, you get a single beep. The light bar pulses blue, then turns steady white. That’s the "all clear." But if you’re trying to put the console into Rest Mode, you don't just tap it—you wait for a beep and let go. If you hold it too long, you’re going to hear a second beep. That second beep is the "Hard Power Down."
Don't ignore the lights.
- Solid White: The console is on and working.
- Pulsing Orange: It’s in Rest Mode. It’s downloading updates or charging your controllers. Do not unplug it now. Seriously.
- Pulsing Red: Your PS5 is overheating. This is the "help me" signal. Shut it down and give it some air.
- No Light: It’s completely off.
Most people get into trouble when the console freezes. If your screen is stuck on a frame of Elden Ring and nothing is responding, the power button is your only friend. You have to hold it down for about 15 seconds. It feels like an eternity. You’ll hear a beep, then eventually a second one, and the system will force itself to die. It’s not great for the file system—you’ll likely see a "Repairing Console Storage" progress bar when you reboot—but sometimes it’s the only way out of a software lock.
👉 See also: Wait, You Said You Were a Gamer? Why Identity Matters in Modern Play
Safe Mode: The power button’s secret menu
There is a whole hidden world inside that button. It’s called Safe Mode.
If your PS5 is acting glitchy, or if you’ve just installed a new M.2 SSD and things feel weird, you need Safe Mode. To get there, you start with the console completely off. Press and hold the power button. You’ll hear the initial beep. Keep holding. About seven seconds later, you’ll hear a second beep. Let go.
You’ll have to plug your controller in via a USB cable because Bluetooth doesn't work in this "low-level" state. From here, you can rebuild your database—which is basically like defragging an old PC—or change your video output if you’ve accidentally set it to a resolution your TV doesn't support. It’s the ultimate troubleshooting tool, and it’s entirely controlled by that one tiny, hard-to-find button.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
There’s a weird rumor that constantly using the physical power button wears it out faster than using the controller. That’s nonsense. It’s a standard tactile switch rated for thousands of presses.
Another big one? People think you have to use the power button to eject a stuck disc. You don't. While the Eject button is right there next to the power button on the disc model, there’s actually a manual release screw hidden under the bottom cover. If your power button is broken and a disc is trapped inside, you’re taking the plates off and using a screwdriver.
🔗 Read more: Grand Lift of Dectus: What Most Players Get Wrong About Reaching Altus
The PS5 Slim and Pro changes
If you’ve upgraded to the PS5 Slim or the newer PS5 Pro, Sony actually listened to the complaints. Sort of.
The Slim model moved the Eject button onto the disc drive module itself. This was a massive win for usability. It means the only button on the main "body" of the console is the power button. You can’t mix them up anymore. On the Pro, the logic remains the same—keep the power button isolated so you aren't accidentally turning off the console when you just wanted to swap out Spider-Man 2 for God of War.
Maintenance and Care
Since the power button on PS5 is located in that "crevice" between the white plates and the black glossy core, it’s a total dust magnet.
Over time, skin oils and dust can actually make the button feel "mushy." I’ve seen consoles where the button gets stuck in the "pressed" position because of soda spills or just general grime. A quick hit of compressed air or a lightly dampened microfiber cloth (emphasis on lightly) is usually enough to keep it clicky.
If your button feels like it has no "give" at all, don't force it. You might have a shifted faceplate that’s putting pressure on the housing. Try popping the white covers off and reseating them. It’s a 30-second fix that saves a lot of frustration.
Actionable Next Steps for PS5 Owners
- Identify your model immediately. Look at the front. Two buttons? You have the original Disc Edition. One button? It’s the Digital Edition or the Slim.
- Memorize the "Bottom is Power" rule. If it's vertical, the lowest button is your power source. If it's horizontal, it's the one on the far left.
- Use Rest Mode wisely. Don't just pull the plug. Use the power button to enter Rest Mode (one beep) to ensure your games stay updated and your saves are backed up to the cloud.
- Test Safe Mode now. Don't wait for a system crash to learn how to use it. Turn the console off, hold the button for two beeps, and just see what the menu looks like so you aren't panicking when a real error occurs.
- Clean the seam. Every few months, use a soft brush to clear out the dust around the buttons. It prevents mechanical failure and keeps the sensors (if you have the touch-sensitive launch model) or the physical switches (on newer models) responsive.