Why Am I Unable to Format My External Hard Drive on PS4? [Ultimate Solution and Guide]

Have you encountered the same issue as described above? Are you also asking, "Why can't I format my external hard drive on PS4?" Well, there are numerous ways to format an external hard drive for PS4. If you're also seeking a solution to the problem of being unable to format your external hard drive on PS4, I hope this article will be of great assistance to you.

This article will examine the reasons why you cannot format an external hard drive on a PlayStation 4 (PS4) and offer you several solutions.

Further Reading: Upgrade PS4 Hard Drive

Why Can't I Format My External Hard Drive on PS4?

The reason for the inability to format an external hard drive on a PS4 could stem from issues with the PS4 console itself or problems with the external hard drive. It's crucial to identify the problem before seeking a resolution. You can refer to the table below to examine possible symptoms and pinpoint the issue: | Symptoms | Possible Causes | Solutions | | --- | --- | --- | | 1. PS4 Not Recognizing the Hard Drive | - Incompatible hard drive
- Incorrect file system | - Ensure the hard drive is PS4 compatible
- Format the drive to FAT32 or exFAT | | 2. Formatting Error | - Corrupted hard drive
- Outdated system software | - Check the hard drive for errors
- Update PS4 firmware | | 3. Connection Issues | - Faulty USB cable
- Inadequate power supply | - Use a different USB cable
- Connect the drive to a powered USB port | | 4. Limited Options | - The hard drive is set as primary storage
- User permissions | - Change the primary storage settings
- Sign in as the main user account | | 5. Hardware Malfunction | - Internal PS4 issues
- Physical damage | - Restart the PS4
- Contact Sony support for repair | Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the problem with your external hard drive on the PS4.

Devices	Reasons for "Can't Format External Hard Drive on PS4"
PS4	PS4 unable to recognize external hard drive Corrupted PS4 database Improperly installed system software on PS4 Outdated PS4 version
USB External Hard Drive	Unable to connect external hard drive to PS4 USB cable or interface issues USB is write-protected USB is damaged External hard drive malfunctioning

If you cannot format the USB external hard drive on PS4, it may be due to PS4 not being able to read the USB. This could mean the USB is not properly connected to PS4 or the external hard drive has stopped functioning. There might also be an issue with the PS4 itself, so you can try the following solutions to address it. If there is an issue with your PS4 hard drive, click the link to resolve the hard drive not working problem.

[Solved] PS4 External Hard Drive Not Working/Recognized

Regardless of your situation, the tools below will guide you to the corresponding solution:

How to Resolve "Why Can't I Format My External Hard Drive on PS4"?

Upon analyzing the issue discussed, you can understand why you are unable to format the USB external hard drive on your PlayStation 4 (PS4). If the problem lies with the USB not being recognized, you can try the following solutions:

Solution 1: Check the USB Cable or Interface

You can use another USB cable to connect the device to another USB port (a USB 3.0 cable is recommended). If the cable is faulty, you can either replace it or have it repaired by a professional.

Fix 2: Format the Write-Protected PS4 USB on Windows

If the USB is protected, it indicates that the Windows operating system has imposed administrator restrictions, there are corrupted registry entries, a virus infection, or a third-party encryption software has secured your USB drive. To rectify this issue and make the write-protected USB/pen drive functional again, you can try the following six methods:

1. Unlock USB through Its Lock

2. Remove Virus

3. Utilize the Command Prompt

4. Use Write Protection Removal Tool

5. Utilize the Registry

6. Utilize File Explorer Properties

7. Format Write Protected USB Pen Drive after Removing Protection

You can click on the link provided below to view the detailed steps.

How to Format Write Protected USB/Pen Drive [7 Methods]

These solutions effectively resolve the write protection error on pen drives, USBs, SD cards, and external hard drives/SSDs.

Fix 3. Use Another USB

If the external hard drive is damaged, your PS4 won't recognize it. You'll need to connect the PS4's external hard drive to your computer. If the USB isn't working, it'll display an "USB device not recognized" message. In that case, you'll need to obtain a new USB cable.

Connect another USB drive to your computer and repeat step 2 to 4 to create a bootable USB drive for the other OS.

Apart from utilizing another USB, you can also expand your PS4's storage by adding an external USB drive. For more details on resolving the issue of a full PS4 storage, please follow this link:

PS4 Storage Full? Learn How to Expand Your PS4 Storage

A full PS4 storage doesn't signify the end of your gaming experience. You can still increase your PS4 storage capacity to enjoy modern, high-storage games on your PlayStation 4.

Fix 4: Update the PS4 System Software

The external hard drive might not be compatible with older versions of the PS4. In this case, attempting to update your system software could resolve the issue of "unable to format USB external hard drive on PS4."

Step 1. Go to the PS4's "Settings" and choose "System Software Update."

Step 2. Click "Next," and then choose "Update."

Step 3. Choose "Download" to install the update you downloaded.

Step 4. Connect the USB to the PS4 to see if it is recognized.

If the external hard drive suddenly becomes non-functional, it could also lead to the formatting process failing, preventing you from formatting your USB external hard drive on the PS4. Nevertheless, you can address this issue by trying out the following solutions.

Fix 5: Restart your PS4

This is one of the simplest methods. You can follow the steps below when you're unable to format your USB external hard drive on the PS4 successfully.

Step 1. Access the "Quick Menu" and choose "Turn Off PS4".

Step 2. Wait a few minutes, then turn on your PS4.

Step 3. Reconnect the USB and see if it connects correctly. Format the PS4 through the PS4.

Fix 6: Rebuild the PS4 Database

The PS4 has a built-in feature called "Rebuild Database." This utility helps fix various issues with your PS4, like repairing a corrupted database error. You can only access this function in Safe Mode. Here are the steps to follow for reference.

Step 1. Turn off the PS4.

After turning off the PS4, you need to press and hold the power button until you hear the second beep.

Step 2. Turn on the PS4 in Safe Mode. Connect the PS4.

Step 3. Choose "Rebuild Database."

These are all the solutions to formatting an external hard drive on a PS4. If you encounter the error code PS4 CE-37857-0, click the button to find the resolution.

Summary:

If you're unable to format your USB external hard drive on PS4, it could be due to the PS4 not recognizing the USB device or the USB itself malfunctioning. Either issue can result in the inability to format the USB hard drive on your PS4. Fortunately, this article presents the most effective solutions.

Naturally, the most recommended solution is to format the PS4 USB external hard drive on Windows using tools like Partition Master, a safe and efficient method. It's definitely worth a try! If you wish to learn more about PS4 errors, feel free to click the link:

How to Solve PS4 Not Reading USB [2024 Complete Guide]

If your PS4 fails to recognize your external USB drive, don't panic. We'll provide you with solutions to resolve the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Can't I Format My External Hard Drive on PS4

This article offers various solutions to address the issue of "why I can't format my external hard drive on PS4" by examining the reasons behind the problem involving both the PS4 console and external hard drives. Several common issues are discussed.

1. How do I resolve the PS4 external hard drive error?

There are several ways to fix errors on a PS4 external hard drive. You can refer to the various methods outlined in this guide, or you can also try restarting your PS4 to address the issue as follows:

Step 1: Unplug the USB external device from the PS4.

Step 2: Locate "Settings" and power off the PS4.

Step 3: Turn on the PS4 and reconnect the USB.

2. How do I reformat my external hard drive for PS4? To reformat your external hard drive for use with your PlayStation 4 (PS4), follow these steps: 1. **Backup Data**: Ensure that you backup any important data on the external hard drive, as the reformatting process will erase everything. 2. **Connect the Hard Drive**: Connect your external hard drive to your PS4 using a USB cable. Make sure it's powered on and properly connected. 3. **Enter Settings**: On your PS4 home screen, navigate to the "Settings" menu. 4. **Select Storage**: In the Settings menu, choose "Storage." 5. **Choose External Storage**: From the list of storage options, select the external hard drive you want to reformat. 6. **Format as Extended Storage**: On the external storage screen, select "Format as Extended Storage." A warning message will appear, reminding you that all data will be erased. 7. **Confirm Formatting**: Read the warning carefully, then select "OK" to proceed with the reformatting process. This may take a few minutes depending on the size of the hard drive. 8. **Formatting Complete**: Once the formatting is complete, your external hard drive is now ready to use with your PS4 for storing games, apps, and other content. Remember that the PS4 only supports external hard drives with a USB 3.0 interface, at least 250 GB in capacity, and formatted in the exFAT or FAT32 file system. If your hard drive isn't compatible, you might need to change its file system before proceeding.

You can reformat your external hard drive for use with your PS4 directly on the PS4 itself.

Step 1: Navigate to "Settings" and locate "Devices."

Step 2: Locate the USB drive and click on "USB Storage Devices" to proceed with formatting.

3. What is exFAT format for PS4?

The PS4 only supports the file systems exFAT and FAT32. exFAT doesn't have a file size limit, which makes it more suitable for transferring large amounts of data to and from the PS4.