Why does MLB The Show 21 keep freezing online

The PS4 would freeze and crash for various reasons, and resolving this issue is usually easy and a new be can do it. In fact, the PS4, just like any other electrical device, begins to behave weirdly and its performance degrades, and as a result, it may freeze and crash.

So, how to work around this issue and get the PS4 back to normal? And how to keep your PS4 in future away from freezing and crashing? This is what you’re going to learn in this article.

Symptoms of PS4 Freezing Condition

If you notice one of these symptoms on your PS4, this guide will surely help you get over it.

Error Code (CE-36329-3) shows up then PS4 freezes

Note that we’ve already published a detailed guide on how to fix Error CE-36329-3. Therefore, if your PS4 freezes on this error code, please read that refereed-to article.

PS4 freezes during the gameplay

Sometimes PS4 runs just fine until you play games. In some cases, it is just a particular game, and in other cases, it is every game. If it’s one game or two only, you’re lucky. Otherwise, the issue is harder.

PS4 freezes on home screen

You might not get any error code here. PS4 boots up just fine and everything seems well until the home screen loads. Here, the PS4 system freezes and totally stops responding.

PS4 runs slow then freezes

This is one of the most common causes. PS4 takes a long time to load its operating system and games, yet it’s still working. Then after a while, it freezes up and stops responding. Often this problem is easy to resolve.

Official Issue Resolution

The PlayStation official website suggest a resolution for this issue that many users found helpful. (source)

Troubleshooting Your Frozen PS4™

If your PS4™ console is frozen, or the menus seem to take too long to load, try the troubleshooting steps below:

Step 1

• : Close all applications and shut down the PS4™ console.

Step 2

: Unplug the PS4™ console from the outlet or power strip, wait 3 minutes, and plug the system back in.

If the issue still persists, you will need to start your PS4 in Safe Mode..

Then it suggests either rebuilding the database or reinstalling the system software by initializing PS4.

Actually, in many situations, this suggested solution is useless, as the issue is much bigger than that. But before we start with our solutions, you have to know the reasons why PS4 undergoes this state of functionality.

Why is PS4 Freezing? – The Common Reasons

Logical Reasons

You’ll be lucky enough if the reasons for PS4 freezing are logical and not physical. That’s because it’s so easy to fix logical errors without having to buy a new hardware replacement. So, let’s see what logical errors may cause this situation.

1. Unsuccessful Game/App Installation. Sometimes this happens when you try to install a new game/app, it doesn’t install successfully due to some hardware error that suddenly occurs during the installation process. In this case, just uninstall that particular game/app and reinstall it.
2. Incompatibility issue with the current PS4 system software version. Sometimes it happens that your PS4 is working seamlessly and very well until you update the system software to the latest version. Here your PS4 starts freezing up only with particular games/apps, not all. In this case, try to find a new update for that game/app that makes it fully compatible with the newer version of PS4 system software update. If you fail to find any, you better uninstall it until a new update is released.
3. Program conflict. In some cases, when you install different games/apps, they would conflict and cause freezing to your PS4 system. This explains why when you run particular games/apps the PS4 would freeze, whereas other games/apps won’t cause the same issue. In other words, you may have installed a new game/app that is not compatible with another already-installed one. You have to figure out which one is that and uninstall it.
4. Incomplete/Unsuccessful Update. Probably you have tried to update a new game/app or even the PS4 system software itself, then PS4 starts running slow and freezing. Just like the first point in this list, it’s the reason for a sudden hardware failure during the update process. The solution for this is to try to carry out the update process again.
5. Overheating. When the PS4 system overheats, some hardware components will stop working or will work in a low-level performance causing the whole system to freeze up.
6. PS4 hard drive is full. When your PS4 hard drive has less than 10% of free space, the system might freeze and crash (read more).
7. Defective power supply or unstable power feeding. When your PS4 doesn’t get enough power to run its hardware components at the optimum level, the whole system might freeze (read more). The problem might be either your power supply (read on the effects of a defective PS4 power supply) or the power source itself (read on the effects of a power surge on your PS4).
8. Bad internet connection. The status of your internet connection can impact the performance of your PS4, and in some cases, your PS4 might freeze due to that.
9. Corrupted CMOS Memory Data Although it’s rare, it does happen to a variety of users. The CMOS memory data is corrupted and must be cleared. This can cause the PS4 to freeze and stop working.

The Final Solution

If the reason that causes PS4 to freeze is logical, and have tried your best to fix it to no avail, you have two options to go through:

1. Rebuild PS4 database. | This can resolve many issues related to the functionality of games/apps on PS4. But if it doesn’t work here, try the second option.
2. Reinstall the game/app or its update. | If there’s a specific game/app that causes the PS4 to freeze but not other games/apps, you need either to reinstall it or its update.
3. Initialize PS4. | This will restore PS4 system to its original factory settings. Note that it deletes all information on the PS4™ hard drive, including the System Software. You will be required to download and install the latest version of the PS4 System Software.
4. Optimize your Internet Connection | This is a very effective solution for a frozen PS4 in some scenarios, so do consider it in your pursuit to fix your PS4.
5. Clear the PS4 CMOS Memory | Clearing the PS4 CMOS memory means that you will reset the stored data to its factory settings. Its concept is the same as formatting a storage device, that removes any additional data stored other than the default. This is an easy process to carry out once the PS4 case is open.

1. Rebuilding PS4 Database

As an avid PC user knows, occasionally defragmenting your computer’s hard drive can help to keep it working at optimum capacity since it gets rid of unnecessary files and reorganizes the files you do use so that they run more efficiently. What many PlayStation 4 users may not know is that there is a similar process you can perform for the PS4, a process which you should perform on a regular and consistent basis.

One of the Features of the Sony PS4 Safe Mode menu is a Rebuild Database option which is a version of a defrag that users can do on PCs and computers.

The Rebuild Database option does a defrag of the PS4, which can solve a whole host of issues on the PS4 and free up some much-needed space, speed up your console and fix issues. The Rebuild scans the drive and creates a new database of all content, thus cleaning the disc drive.

Before you rebuild your PS4’s database, rest assured that the process doesn’t delete any of your saved data, it simply reorganizes and freshens up your system’s files. To do this, you’ll need to put your PS4 into Safe Mode. Now, the specific steps for initiating a database rebuild, are as follows:

1. Make sure your PS4 is completely powered down and that your Dualshock 4 controller is connected to the console via a USB cable.
2. Boot up the PS4 in safe mode. This is done by pressing and holding down the power button until you hear two separate beeps (about seven seconds).
3. Once the PS4 is booted in safe mode, you’ll be taken to a menu with a variety of options.
4. Select the “Rebuild Database” option, making sure you don’t accidentally select the “Initialize PS4” option since that will erase all your data.
5. The screen is supposed to go black when the rebuild process is underway, so don’t worry if that happens. Depending on how much data you have on your PS4, the rebuild process can take some time, so be patient, and don’t turn your console off while the process is still going.

That’s it. If it doesn’t work and PS4 still freezes, try to reinstall the game/app or initialize PS4.

2. Reinstalling Your Game/App or its update

As for reinstalling the game/app, it’s a very easy method. You only need to delete it and install it again.

As for updating your game/app, please follow the steps laid out below:

• Step 1: View the PS4 home screen, then pick the game/app you want to update.
• Step 2: On your PS4 controller, press the Options button and choose the “Check for Update” option.
• Step 3: If you find out there’s an update available, follow the instruction on the screen.
• Step 4: Once the process is done, restart your PS4 console and try to launch that specific game/app to verify whether this solution works or not.

3. Optimize Your Slow Internet Connection

One of the common reasons that cause the PS4 to freeze is a slow/unstable internet connection. It’s more apparent when you play online games, but also it can impact other functionalities in the PS4 system. A good internet connection is mandatory if you want a smooth and joyful gaming experience. Therefore, once your PS4 freezes, suspect the status of your internet connection and try to optimize it to resolve this issue.

Optimizing your internet connection on the PS4 is easy and has four options:

• Option 1: Turn off your WiFi router and keep it off for minimum 15 minutes, then turn it on again. Your router might have some electrical or overheating issues and this will help work around this issue.
• Option 2: Get a WiFi signal booster if your router is far from your PS4 console. This will immensely improve the performance of your internet connection on PS4.
• Option 3: Connecting your PS4 directly to your router via Ethernet is another option if the wireless connection is unreliable. To do that correctly, follow the steps below:
  • Step 1: Use a LAN cable to connect your PS4 wiredly to your router.
  • Step 2: On the PS4 home screen, go to PS4 Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
  • Step 3: A pop-up window will show up on the screen, select the “Use a LAN Cable” option.
  • Step 4: Select “Custom”. There you have to enter the network information provided by your ISP based on what the on-screen message illustrates.
  • Step 5: Choose “Don Not Use as your Proxy Server”.
  • Step 6: Now you only have to wait for the process to complete. Once you verify that the internet settings have been updated successfully, try to work normally on your PS4 (play games or launch applications) and see whether this has resolved your issue or not.
• Option 4: Optimize the Internet connection by forwarding ports to your PS4 console. To do that, follow the steps below:
  • Step 1: On your wireless router control panel, Find the IP address, Username and Password.
  • Step 2: Copy that IP address and insert it in the address bar of an internet browser, whether on your computer or mobile phone.
  • Step 3: You’ll get a login screen on your browser, enter the details you have and enter.
  • Step 4: Now, find out where the “forward ports” section is on your router settings page.
  • Step 5: Now, insert custom forwarding ports in the corresponding fields. Sonny recommends some ports to use:
    • 80(TCP)
    • 443(TCP)
    • 3478(TCP and UDP)
    • 3479(TCP and UDP)
    • 3480(TCP)

4. Initialize PS4

You should back up any data you want to keep, such as images and video, to an external device or to the cloud. In order to back up data using the cloud, you’ll have to have a PlayStation Plus account.

You’ll need also to download the full package of PS4 system software on a computer and store it on an external storage device. (Please visit this official page to learn more on how to download that software and install it properly after initialization)

Now, in order to initialize PS4, you need to access the Safe Mode. To do that, simply follow the steps below:

1. Turn off your PS4 using the power button on the front panel. The power indicator will blink for a few moments before turning off.
2. Once the PS4 is off, press and hold the power button. Release it after you’ve heard two beeps: one when you initially press, and another 7 seconds later.
3. Connect the DualShock®4 controller with the provided USB cable and press the PS button.

Now, select option 7 [Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software), and you’re all done.

5. Clear the PS4 CMOS

Here you just need to remove the CMOS battery, wait 10 seconds, then put it again in the place. To learn more about that, please read this guide.

Physical Reasons

Sometimes the PS4 freeze situation is the result of a bad controller, an unstable internet connection, defective hardware (CPU, Blu-ray drive, or even motherboard), or a malfunctioning cooling fan due to the hips of dust accumulated on it.

It’s easy to detect the source of the problem with a few tests on your frozen PS4. If it’s the result of defective internal hardware other than the PS4 hard drive, only a technician can fix it for you. Otherwise, you can do it yourself without the need for others’ help.

So, let’s lay out these reasons in an organized list for the sake of easy reading.

• Defective internal hard drive. | This features almost 90% of the total physical reasons for PS4 freeze. This article will elaborate in detail on how to overcome this issue properly.
• Defective peripheral device connected to PS4. | When a malfunctioning external hardware is connected to PS4, it affects its functionality and causes it to freeze. Sometimes it’s the controller or the external hard drive. Maybe the headsets, VR, or any other device. Do your tests and figure out the culprit.
• PS4 is overheating. | You have to open inside PS4 and check whether there’s dust to clean off or not. Overheating is one of the common reasons why PS4 freezes. Check also the health of the PS4 fan, it might be malfunctioning and not giving enough cooling for the CPU.
• One of the internal components of PS4 is generating errors. | It might be the RAM, Blu-Ray drive, CPU, or the motherboard itself. In this situation, you can do nothing but take your console to an experienced technician to properly fix it.

Now, since the PS4 hard drive takes the biggest share of responsibility for the physical errors, we need to elaborate more on how to maintain it the right way and overcome the errors it generates.

PS4 Hard Drive Damage Levels

Serious PS4 HDD Damage

When you start hearing a clicking noise from the PS4 hard drive, it means the damage is serious.

While there are many possible causes, a PS4 hard drive clicking noise often results from the defective movement of the disk’s read-write actuator. During regular use, a disk head moves smoothly to track data on a disk. If these movements become erratic and unexpected, the disk controller tries to reset its position by bumping back to the home position repeatedly. This bumping causes an audible “click” and the noise will continue as the process repeats itself.

If your PS4 HDD generates that sound, you must seriously consider replacing it as soon as possible. This is the only solution here, as the PS4 HDD is declining and will suddenly stop working at all. To find good PS4 hard drive replacements, please visit this page.

Easy PS4 HDD Damage

When PS4 freezes and the hard drive is responsible for this issue, you’ll be lucky if the damage level is easy. Since PS4 HDD doesn’t make any noise and, in general, it works fine until PS4 freezes, that all indicates the damage is easy to fix.

But, what kind of damage is that?

Well, it is generally bad sectors that badly impact the hard drive performance. A bad sector on a hard drive is simply a tiny cluster of storage space — a sector — of the hard drive that appears to be defective. The sector won’t respond to read or write requests. That results, consequently, in PS4 freezing.

How to Check for and Repair Bad Sectors

You’ll need to have a computer for this process to take place.

Simply, pull out the PS4 hard drive and connect it to a PC. Either you do that internally by hooking the data and power cable to the PS4 HDD, or externally by using an external hard drive enclosure.

Now, after you connect the PS4 HDD to the PC, you have to FULL format it (not quick). A full format will eliminate all errors on the hard drive and restores its lost performance. That’s as long as the damage is on an easy level.

If you don’t know how to do that, you can take the PS4 HDD to any computer repair shop to do it for you.

User Experience

This is one of our reader’s experience with this issue. We advised him to FULL format the PS4 hard drive and he did so. He came later and made the following comment:

Conclusion

Ok, so what if none of the above solutions work and PS4 keeps freezing? Well, if you’re sure that it’s not the controller or any other peripheral, that means it’s one of the PS4 hardware parts. It might be the CPU, RAM, or even the motherboard. You can’t help it here but take to a technician to fix it.

Additionally, you can read the comments below that illustrate many user experiences with this issue. Some of them are really beneficial.

Questions & Answers

Why does my PS4 keep freezing?

PS4 gets frozen when there's a serious hardware issue or system corruption issue. You need to run several tests in order to figure out why your PS4 is freezing before trying to fix it.

Does a failing hard drive cause the PS4 to freeze?

The answer is simply yes. A malfunctioning or defective PS4 internal hard drive can cause many performance issues to the system, including freezing, lagging and various error codes.

Will full initialization fix a freezing PS4?

Full initialization of PS4 and reinstall the system software from scratch is one of the most common ways to fix a freezing PS4. But it is not always the right solution, especially when you have a hardware failure.

What are the most common causes of freezing on PS4?

The most common reasons for PS4 freezing are: Power issues, overheating, corrupted hard drive, corrupted system data, and corrupted CMOS memory data.

Why does the show 21 keep freezing?

Why is MLB The Show freezing?

How do I fix the lost connection on MLB The Show 21?

Why is MLB The Show 21 not working on Xbox?