The “click of death” is a term used to describe a specific sound that some PS4 pro consoles make which indicates a serious hardware problem. It refers to a repetitive clicking or ticking noise coming from inside the console that signals a failure of either the hard drive or power supply.
What causes the PS4 pro click of death?
There are two main causes of the PS4 pro click of death:
- Faulty or failing hard drive – The repetitive clicking noises are typically caused by the hard drive repeatedly attempting to spin up and failing. This indicates the drive has become damaged or unstable.
- Failing power supply unit (PSU) – Less commonly, the click of death can be the result of a failing PSU that is unable to provide stable power to the console. This causes the system to continuously reboot and emit clicking sounds.
In either case, the click of death on a PS4 pro indicates there is a serious hardware malfunction. The noise stems from the component (hard drive or PSU) unsuccessfully trying to start up over and over again.
When does the PS4 pro click of death happen?
The PS4 pro click of death can start happening at any time, but often begins under the following circumstances:
- During startup – The clicking noise is first noticed when powering on the console.
- Randomly during use – The PS4 pro begins clicking unexpectedly while playing games or using apps.
- Following an update – Sometimes a faulty system update can damage the hard drive and trigger the click of death.
- After physical damage – Dropping or jarring the PS4 pro can cause hardware issues leading to the clicking noises.
In most cases, once the click of death starts occurring in a PS4 pro, the noises persist every time the console is powered on. The clicking is continuous and does not go away on its own. This indicates permanent hardware failure.
What does the PS4 pro click of death sound like?
The click of death makes a very distinct, repetitive clicking or ticking sound. Here are some key ways to identify it:
- Patterned, rhythmic clicks – The noise is cyclical, like a clock ticking.
- Rapid frequency – The clicks repeat in quick succession.
- High-pitched tone – The clicks have a distinctive, sharp quality.
- Persistence – The clicks do not go away and sound every few seconds continuously.
The click of death does not make up-and-down spinning sounds like a normal hard drive. Instead, it has a sharper, faster clicking pattern from the component failing to startup repeatedly.
Where does the noise come from inside the PS4 pro?
The click of death originates from inside the metal case of the PS4 pro. More specifically, the noise comes from one of these components:
- Hard drive – If the clicks are coming from the hard drive, they emanate from the right side of the console where the HDD is located.
- Power supply unit – Clicks from a faulty PSU emerge from the rear left side of the casing where the power unit sits.
So if the click of death is heard on the right half of the PS4 pro, it likely stems from a damaged hard drive. If it’s on the left, the culprit is probably the power supply. Either way, the clicks signal serious internal hardware failure.
How loud is the click of death?
The volume of the click of death can range from faint to very loud and noticeable:
- Quiet, muffled clicks – At the onset of failure, the clicks may be quiet or somewhat muted.
- Loud, prominent clicks – As the problem worsens, the clicking often becomes much louder and clearer.
- Audible from several feet away – In some cases, the click of death is loud enough to hear distinctly from across a room.
If the click of death just began, pressing an ear close to the console may be required to hear it. But over time, the click often gets increasingly louder indicating the hardware damage is worsening.
Does the PS4 pro still turn on with the click of death?
When a PS4 pro begins exhibiting the click of death, you will usually still be able to power on the console, at least initially. Here’s what to expect when turning on a PS4 pro with the clicking issue:
- Takes longer than normal to boot – Getting past the initial boot up and to the home screen may take several minutes.
- Crashes or freezes – The system may successfully start up but then freeze or crash soon after.
- Errors and graphical issues – Odd graphical corruption or errors may happen, especially in-game.
- Overheating warning – The PS4 pro may quickly overheat due to the hardware failure.
- No signal to TV – Eventually, the system will reach the point where no video output happens.
The system can often still partially run despite the clicks, but stability deteriorates quickly. Eventually the PS4 pro will stop booting entirely as hardware damage compounds.
Is the click of death fixable on PS4 pro?
Unfortunately, the PS4 pro click of death is not fixable through any DIY troubleshooting. The cause is a hardware failure that requires professional repair or replacement of internal components. Attempting home remedies like cleaning the console or reseating connectors does not resolve the underlying issue.
To address the PS4 pro click of death, one of these options is required:
- Professional repair – The console needs to be evaluated and repaired by an experienced technician able to replace damaged hardware.
- Replace the hard drive – If the clicks are confirmed to come from a faulty hard drive specifically, replacing the HDD may resolve it.
- Replace the power supply – In rarer cases caused by a bad PSU, installing a new, working power unit can fix clicks.
- Replace PS4 pro system – Severe hardware failure often necessitates replacing the complete console.
So in summary, DIY troubleshooting cannot overcome the click of death. Professional repair or replacement of hardware is required.
Is the click of death covered by PS4 pro warranty?
Whether the click of death is covered by Sony’s warranty depends on two factors:
- When it occurs – The PS4 pro has a 1-year limited warranty covering defects. Clicks happening within the first year may qualify for free repair.
- Cause of clicks – Only manufacturer defects are covered, not physical damage or normal wear.
Here are examples of when the click of death would and would not be fixed under PS4 pro warranty:
| Covered Under Warranty | Not Covered Under Warranty |
|---|---|
| Clicks begin a few months after purchase due to flawed hardware. | Clicks start 3 years after purchase from extensive wear. |
| PS4 pro clicks following a system update that causes HDD failure. | Clicks happen after spilling liquid on the PS4 pro. |
| Sony confirms the PSU model is prone to early failure. | Clicking is caused by accumulated dust/debris inside the PS4. |
So if the click of death starts shortly after buying the console, and is not caused by external factors, the warranty may provide free repair or replacement.
Does the PS4 pro still work with the click of death?
When a PS4 pro begins clicking, it can sometimes continue working for a period of time, but performance quickly deteriorates. Here is what to expect if the console still turns on:
- Increasing crashes and graphical issues
- Severe lag, stuttering, and frame drops
- Freezing and apps becoming unresponsive
- Corrupted or lost game data and save files
- Overheating warnings shut the system down
- Prolonged operation could damage other components
While it may seem functional at first, using a PS4 pro with the click of death can lead to data loss as hardware sustains further damage. It is best to stop using the console once the clicking sound is noticed.
Does rest mode still work on PS4 pro with the click of death?
Rest mode likely will not function correctly on a PS4 pro exhibiting the click of death. Here are some potential issues:
- Cannot enter rest mode – The system may fail to transition into the low-power state.
- Stuck in rest mode – Unable to wake from rest mode, forcing a hard reset.
- Clicking continues in rest mode – Fans and HDD may still run loudly due to hardware failure.
- Crashes coming out of rest mode – System instability can cause crashes and freezes when resuming.
Allowing a PS4 pro with hardware failure to enter rest mode typically results in more serious problems. For example, a stuck system may require uninstalling the hard drive to power back on.
Will initializing or reformatting the PS4 pro fix the click of death?
Unfortunately, performing a factory reset, initialization, or reformat of the hard drive does not resolve the PS4 pro click of death. Here’s why these troubleshooting steps are ineffective:
- Does not address root hardware problem – Software resets cannot fix physical component failure causing the clicks.
- Clicking often persists – The reset process may be interrupted by persistent clicking noises.
- Can worsen data loss – Critical console data can be wiped before backing up.
In most cases, attempting to initialize, reformat, or factory reset a PS4 pro with the click of death results in more serious system instability without resolving the underlying hardware issue.
Does upgrading the hard drive fix the PS4 pro click of death?
Upgrading or replacing the PS4 pro’s hard drive can resolve the click of death, but only if the hard drive is confirmed to be the cause of the clicking noise. Here are key factors to consider:
- Diagnose source of clicks – Determining if clicks are coming specifically from the HDD area is crucial.
- Match drive specifications – The new hard drive must meet Sony’s standards for PS4 pro compatibility.
- Clean HDD replacement – Properly removing and replacing the hard drive is vital.
If the hard drive is not the underlying problem, or is replaced incorrectly, upgrading it will not fix the PS4 pro click of death. Professional diagnosis and installation is recommended.
Conclusion
In summary, the “click of death” is a concerning sound signaling catastrophic hardware failure in PS4 pro consoles. The repetitive clicking noise stems from either a damaged hard drive or failing power supply that repeatedly tries and fails to startup. DIY troubleshooting cannot fix the problem – professional repair or replacing hardware is required. While the console may still function temporarily, the click of death indicates serious problems that will inevitably lead to complete system failure if not properly addressed. Turning off and stopping use of the PS4 pro as soon as the click of death is noticed is strongly advised to prevent further issues.