How to stop your PS5 from going into rest mode by itself

By default, the PlayStation 5 is aggressive about saving energy. While Rest Mode is great for charging controllers, it’s a nightmare when it interrupts a long game download or kicks you out of a session because you stepped away for a phone call. I’ve put together this quick guide to help you stay powered on.

There are actually two different reasons your PS5 might be entering Rest Mode. I'll show you how to fix all of them.

Method 1: Change the auto-rest timer

This is the most common culprit. The PS5 has a built-in timer that triggers Rest Mode if the console hasn't detected controller input for a set amount of time.

  1. Go to Settings (the gear icon).
  2. Open System.
  3. Select Power Saving.
  4. Open Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode.
  5. Set During Media Playback to Don't Put in Rest Mode.
  6. Set While Playing Games to Don't Put in Rest Mode.
Stop PS5 from going into rest mode automatically

💡 Tip: If you only want to stop it while downloading, I recommend setting "While Playing Games" to Don't Put into Rest Mode but leaving "Media Playback" on. This ensures your console stays on while a game is open, but still saves power if you leave Netflix running.

Method 2: Stop your TV from killing your PS5

If your PS5 goes into Rest Mode the exact moment you turn off your TV, the problem isn't a timer—it's HDMI-CEC. Your TV is literally telling your PlayStation to go to sleep.

  1. Go to Settings (the gear icon).
  2. Open System.
  3. Select HDMI.
  4. Turn off the Power Off Link option.
Disable Power Off Link on PS5

Result: Now you can turn off your TV to save power while your PS5 stays fully awake in the background to finish that update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad to never use Rest Mode?

Not at all. In fact, if you live in an area with frequent power flickers, I actually recommend turning the PS5 completely off. Power surges during Rest Mode can occasionally corrupt your database.

Can I still charge my controllers if I disable these timers?

Yes. As long as you manually put the PS5 into Rest Mode (via the Power menu), it will still charge your controllers for the duration you've set (usually 3 hours).

Related:

Stop PS5 from turning on with TV (step-by-step guide)

How to fix PS5 problems: Troubleshooting guide

How to rebuild PS5 database: Fix lag & crashing

How to clear PS5 cache | Fix UI lag & crashing

How to restore licenses on PS5: Fix locked games

How to remove deleted games from PS5 home screen

PlayStation 5

References:

https://www.makeuseof.com/prevent-ps5-randomly-shutting-down/