You can start a PS5 locally with its physical power button or a paired DualSense controller. You can also wake it remotely from Rest Mode using the PlayStation App, PS Remote Play on a PC or Mac, or a PlayStation Portal. A compatible TV may also wake or switch to the console through HDMI-CEC, but that option depends on the TV and setup.
The key distinction is between Rest Mode and a complete shutdown. Remote methods generally require Rest Mode, an internet connection, and network-wake settings enabled in advance. The physical power button and a paired DualSense work from either Rest Mode or a fully powered-off state.
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Quick comparison
| Method | Prior setup | Fully powered off | Rest Mode | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 power button | None | Yes | Yes | Starting the console nearby |
| Paired DualSense | Controller pairing | Yes | Yes | Everyday use |
| PlayStation App | Remote Play and network wake | Usually no | Yes | Starting remotely without the TV |
| PS Remote Play on PC or Mac | Remote Play and network wake | Usually no | Yes | Remote gaming from a computer |
| PlayStation Portal | Remote Play and network wake | No | Yes | Dedicated handheld access |
| TV remote with HDMI-CEC | Compatible TV and settings | Model-dependent | Model-dependent | One-remote TV and console setups |
The three Remote Play options use the same underlying network-wake feature. They are different ways to initiate a Remote Play session, not three separate power technologies.
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1. Press the PS5’s physical power button
This is the simplest and most reliable method when you are near the console.
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- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
- Make sure the PS5 is connected to AC power.
- Press the console’s physical power button once.
- Wait for the indicator to blink blue and then turn white.
- Turn on the TV and select the HDMI input connected to the PS5 if the input does not switch automatically.
This works when the PS5 is in Rest Mode or fully powered off. Starting the console and displaying its picture are separate steps, so a working PS5 may still appear to show nothing if the TV is on the wrong input.
Do not unplug the PS5 while its indicator is lit or blinking. Sony warns that disconnecting AC power at that point can cause data loss, corruption, or console damage. Use Control Center > Power > Turn Off PS5 when you want a complete shutdown.
Sony’s PS5 quick-start guide documents the power-button and HDMI-input steps.
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A DualSense paired with the PS5 can start it from Rest Mode or a complete shutdown.
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- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
- Make sure the controller is paired with the PS5 and has charge.
- Press the PS button once.
- Wait for the console to wake and assign the controller.
If the controller was recently used with another device, it may not wake the PS5 until you reconnect it. Connect the DualSense to the console with a compatible USB cable, then press the PS button to pair it again. If necessary, reset the controller using the small reset button on its rear and repeat the pairing process.
For pairing and controller recovery instructions, see Sony’s DualSense support page. If the PS button still does nothing, try the console’s physical power button.
3. Start Remote Play from the PlayStation App
The PlayStation App can initiate or hand off to a Remote Play session on a phone or tablet. It can wake a suitably configured PS5 from Rest Mode, but it is not a general power-on command for a console that has been completely shut down.
Set up the PS5 first
- On the PS5, open Settings > System > Remote Play.
- Turn on Enable Remote Play.
- Open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet.
- Turn on Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
Use the same PlayStation account on the PS5 and the mobile device. The console must remain connected to the internet, including while it is in Rest Mode.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
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Start the session
- Open the PlayStation App on your phone or tablet.
- Choose the Remote Play option or follow the app’s Remote Play handoff.
- Select the associated PS5 if prompted.
Sony lists 5 Mbps as the minimum internet speed for Remote Play and recommends 15 Mbps or higher for a better experience. Actual results also depend on latency, Wi-Fi congestion, and the quality of the connection at both ends. See Sony’s Remote Play guide and Remote Play settings instructions.
4. Use PS Remote Play on a Windows PC or Mac
The official PS Remote Play app can connect to and wake a PS5 from Rest Mode when the same Remote Play and network-wake requirements are enabled.
- Enable Remote Play and the two Rest Mode network settings on the PS5.
- Install and open the official PS Remote Play app on a supported Windows PC or Mac.
- Sign in with the same PlayStation account used on the console.
- Select PS5 and allow the app to connect.
The PS5 must be on or in Rest Mode and connected to the internet. It cannot normally be discovered or awakened through Remote Play after a complete shutdown. A controller is generally needed for gameplay, even though the computer starts the connection.
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If connection quality is poor, try Ethernet for the PS5, reduce Wi-Fi congestion, and check upload speed and latency. Sony’s general guidance is 5 Mbps minimum and 15 Mbps or higher for a better Remote Play experience.
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- Bring gaming worlds to life, Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback (Available when feature is supported by game)
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers (Available when feature is supported by game)
- Find your voice, share your passion, chat online with the built in microphone (Available when feature is supported by game)
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Multi-device connectivity, connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices
5. Start it with PlayStation Portal
PlayStation Portal is a dedicated Remote Play device. It can connect to a PS5 that is already on or wake one from Rest Mode when the console has been configured for network startup.
- On the PS5, enable Settings > System > Remote Play > Enable Remote Play.
- In Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode, enable Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
- Put the PS5 into Rest Mode rather than turning it off completely.
- Turn on the Portal.
- On the Remote Play home screen, tap the PS5 connection tile or press the cross button.
The Portal and PS5 must use the appropriate PlayStation account, and both require suitable internet access. Portal is therefore useful when the TV is occupied, but it is not a replacement for the console’s power button and cannot generally wake a fully powered-off PS5.
For account, connectivity, and network-wake checks, see the PlayStation Portal product page and Sony’s Portal troubleshooting guide.
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Some televisions can communicate with the PS5 through HDMI-CEC. Sony calls the console-side feature HDMI device link, while TV manufacturers use names such as BRAVIA Sync, Anynet+, Simplink, or Viera Link.
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- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
- On the PS5, check Settings > System > HDMI and enable the HDMI device-link option.
- Enable the TV’s HDMI-CEC equivalent.
- Use the TV remote to turn on the TV or switch to the PS5’s HDMI input.
- Check whether the PS5 wakes, or whether the TV merely changes inputs.
This is a conditional convenience feature, not a guaranteed startup method. Behavior varies by TV brand, model, firmware, HDMI port, power state, and connected equipment. An AV receiver, soundbar, HDMI switch, or capture device can interfere. Some televisions switch to the PS5 input without powering on the console, and behavior may differ between Rest Mode and a complete shutdown.
A TV remote is not a universal replacement for a DualSense. Test HDMI-CEC with your particular setup before relying on it.
Troubleshooting startup problems
The DualSense does not wake the PS5
- Charge the controller.
- Reconnect it to the PS5 with a USB cable and press the PS button.
- Check whether it is paired with another device.
- Reset and re-pair it if necessary.
- Use the physical power button to determine whether the issue is the controller or the console.
Remote Play cannot find the PS5
- Confirm the PS5 is on or in Rest Mode, not fully shut down.
- Check Settings > System > Remote Play > Enable Remote Play.
- Check Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
- Confirm that the remote device and PS5 use the same PlayStation account.
- Verify that the PS5 still has an internet connection.
- Update the relevant app and console software.
- Try Ethernet for the PS5 if Wi-Fi discovery is unreliable.
Portal cannot connect
Check the same account, Remote Play setting, Rest Mode network settings, and internet connection. If the console was completely shut down, press the physical power button or use a paired DualSense first, then use Rest Mode for future remote startup.
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- Select the correct HDMI input manually.
- Reseat both ends of the HDMI cable.
- Connect the PS5 directly to the TV temporarily, bypassing receivers, soundbars, switches, and capture devices.
- Restart the TV and PS5 normally.
- If the problem began after changing display settings, follow PlayStation’s display troubleshooting guidance.
HDMI-CEC selects the wrong device
Disable or re-enable HDMI-CEC on the TV and PS5, test another HDMI port, and temporarily remove intermediary equipment. If the TV still only switches inputs or behaves inconsistently, use the DualSense or physical power button instead.
What about the PlayStation Media Remote?
The Media Remote is useful for navigating streaming apps, but it should not be counted as a dependable PS5 power-on method. Sony identifies its power button as a TV power button. It can control PS5 media functions after pairing, but that does not make it a reliable replacement for the DualSense power-button method. See Sony’s Media Remote support page.
Which method should you use?
- Everyday startup: Press the PS button on a paired DualSense.
- When pairing or networking fails: Press the PS5’s physical power button.
- When the TV is unavailable: Use the PlayStation App, PC/Mac Remote Play, or Portal while the PS5 is in Rest Mode.
- For a one-remote living-room setup: Try HDMI-CEC, but treat it as model-dependent.
Remote convenience requires leaving the PS5 in Rest Mode with network access enabled. If you choose Turn Off PS5, the physical power button or a paired controller is normally required to start it again.
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