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Yes, a PS5 can continue downloading games and updates in Rest Mode—but only when it remains connected to the Internet. Go to Settings → System → Power Saving → Features Available in Rest Mode and enable Stay Connected to the Internet. Then start or resume the download, choose Enter Rest Mode rather than Turn Off PS5, and check that the power indicator turns orange.
If that does not work, troubleshoot in order: the Downloads/Uploads queue, PlayStation Network status, your Internet connection, available storage, account licenses, system software, and finally Safe Mode database tools.
The fastest fix
- Open Settings → System → Power Saving → Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet.
- Open Settings → Saved Data and Game/App Settings → Automatic Updates and enable Auto-Download and, where available, Auto-Install in Rest Mode.
- While the PS5 is on, open Downloads/Uploads from the Control Center and start or resume the download.
- Press the PS button, select Power, then choose Enter Rest Mode.
- Confirm that the indicator changes from white to orange.
These settings allow supported downloads and updates to continue in Rest Mode. They do not necessarily make every newly purchased game begin downloading automatically. A download still has to be initiated through the console, the PlayStation App, a supported PlayStation Store workflow, or an automatic-download or preorder setting.
Sony’s explanation of Rest Mode and background downloads is available in its PS5 FAQ.
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First, confirm that the PS5 is actually in Rest Mode
The power indicator tells you which state the console is in:
- White: the PS5 is on.
- Orange: the PS5 is in Rest Mode.
- Unlit: the PS5 is fully powered off.
Only Rest Mode provides the relevant low-power background functions. Selecting Turn Off PS5 shuts the console down, so downloads will not continue in the same way. Use Enter Rest Mode from the Power menu instead.
Do not unplug the console while the indicator is lit or blinking. Sony warns that disconnecting power in that state can cause data loss or corruption. Its PS5 Quick Start Guide explains the indicator states and shutdown precautions.
Turn on Internet access in Rest Mode
This is the most common reason a download works while the PS5 is on but stops after you put it into Rest Mode.
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- Open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Power Saving.
- Select Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Enable Stay Connected to the Internet.
With this option disabled, the console cannot perform the Internet-dependent background tasks that allow downloads, updates, and other supported features to continue in Rest Mode. Enabling it uses slightly more standby power than disconnecting the console from the Internet.
Check automatic-download settings
Internet access in Rest Mode and automatic downloads are related but separate settings. Check both:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Automatic Updates.
- Enable Auto-Download.
- Enable Auto-Install in Rest Mode if that option is shown and you want updates installed while the console is resting.
Menu labels can vary slightly by system-software version, region, and whether you are configuring game updates or system-software updates. These settings mainly control automatic updates and supported automatic-download behavior; they are not a guarantee that every new purchase will download without being started.
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If the download is stuck, pause it before deleting it
A download that is paused, queued, or frozen does not always need to be deleted. Try the least destructive fix first:
- Press the PS button to open the Control Center.
- Select Downloads/Uploads.
- Highlight the affected download.
- Select Pause, wait briefly, then select Resume.
If it still will not progress, Sony’s next recommended step is:
- Open Downloads/Uploads.
- Highlight the failed item.
- Select Cancel and Delete.
- Open Game Library, find the title, and start the download again.
Pause and resume preserves the current download attempt. Canceling and deleting removes that attempt and requires the PS5 to download it again, so do not use that option until the simpler step has failed.
Check whether PlayStation Network is having problems
Before repeatedly changing console settings, check the official PlayStation Network status page. An outage, maintenance event, or temporary service problem can leave downloads queued or prevent them from starting.
The symptom can suggest where to look:
- It starts but is slow: network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, competing traffic, or PSN load may be involved.
- It remains queued or never starts: check PSN status, account licensing, storage, and the download queue.
- It stops at the same point: investigate the connection, available storage, corrupted download data, or the local content database.
If PSN is experiencing an issue, wait for the service to recover before deleting downloads or changing advanced network settings.
Test the PS5’s Internet connection
Run Sony’s built-in test:
Settings → Network → Connection Status → Test Internet Connection
If the test fails or the connection is unstable:
- Restart the PS5.
- Turn off the router and modem.
- Wait at least five minutes, then restart the network equipment.
- Retry the download.
For troubleshooting, connect the PS5 to the router with an Ethernet cable if possible. Wired networking removes wireless distance and interference as variables, although it will not automatically make every connection faster. If you must use Wi-Fi, move the console closer to the router and reduce competing traffic from other devices.
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Also check whether the router has an overnight schedule, parental-control rule, or power-saving feature that interrupts Internet access. Sony’s network troubleshooting guidance covers wired connections, router restarts, firmware, and more advanced settings.
DNS changes, port forwarding, and a static IP should not be first-line fixes. Consider them only for persistent connection problems, and change them carefully because an incorrect network configuration can create additional connection issues.
Check storage space—not just the game’s final size
Open Settings → Storage and check the available space on the destination drive. Then open the game’s product page from Game Library and review the listed required space.
The PS5 may need more working room than the game’s final installed size because it must download, unpack, and install content. There is no universal percentage of extra space that applies to every game or update, so use the requirement shown for the specific title and leave practical headroom when possible.
Look for these storage-related problems:
- The internal console storage is full.
- A large update needs temporary installation space.
- The selected USB extended-storage drive is full or unavailable.
- The game is being directed to a drive that is disconnected or not usable.
- The console reports unusual storage behavior, suggesting a database problem.
Free space and retry the download before moving to Safe Mode. If the PS5 cannot reliably read its storage or repeatedly reports incorrect capacity, treat that as a separate storage problem rather than simply a Rest Mode setting issue.
Check the account and game license
Account or entitlement problems are especially likely when the game has a padlock icon, is missing from Game Library, or refuses to download even though the network is working.
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- Confirm that the PS5 is signed in to the account that purchased the game.
- Review transaction history to confirm the purchase.
- If the game came through PlayStation Plus, confirm that the subscription and the relevant entitlement are still active.
- If another account owns the game, check whether Console Sharing and Offline Play is enabled for that account on the PS5.
- Restore the console’s licenses by going to Settings → Users and Accounts → Other → Restore Licenses.
Restoring licenses does not redownload the game; it refreshes the console’s recognition of digital entitlements. Sony’s download troubleshooting guide covers locked games, missing purchases, licenses, storage, and redownloading.
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Update the PS5 system software
An outdated or incomplete system-software update can interfere with game downloads and installations. Check:
Settings → System → System Software → System Software Update and Settings
Install any available update, restart the PS5 if requested, and retry the download. Do not assume a particular system-software version from an online guide: Sony changes the software over time, and menu labels may move slightly between releases.
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If the console cannot update normally because it is offline or an update failed, Sony provides manual system-software update instructions on its PS5 system software support page.
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Safe Mode is a later troubleshooting step for persistent download, storage, or database problems—not the first fix for a disabled Rest Mode setting.
How to enter Safe Mode
- Turn off the PS5 completely by holding the power button for about three seconds.
- After the console is off, press and hold the power button again.
- Release it after the second beep, approximately seven seconds after the first beep.
- Connect the controller with a USB cable.
- Press the PS button.
For a stuck download or possible database inconsistency, use:
- Clear Cache and Rebuild Database → Clear System Software Cache
- Clear Cache and Rebuild Database → Rebuild Database
Sony describes rebuilding the database as scanning the drive and creating a new content database. It is not the same as resetting the PS5 and should not be described as a factory reset. It may help when the console’s local content index is inconsistent, but it is not guaranteed to fix every download failure.
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- Reset PS5
- Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software)
Resetting can delete user data, and reinstalling system software deletes all console data. Back up important data and understand the consequences before using either option.
What not to do
- Do not choose Turn Off PS5 when you expect a background download to continue.
- Do not unplug the console while its indicator is lit or blinking.
- Do not delete the download first. Try pause and resume.
- Do not rebuild the database first when Internet-in-Rest-Mode is simply disabled.
- Do not use Reset PS5 or reinstall system software without a backup and a clear reason.
- Do not assume a fixed Internet speed guarantees completion. Download time depends on file size, network conditions, PSN load, and other traffic.
When to contact PlayStation Support
Contact PlayStation Support or use Sony’s Repairs diagnostic flow when the download still fails after checking Rest Mode, PSN, the network, storage, licenses, system software, and Safe Mode database tools.
Have the following information ready:
- The exact error code and message.
- The affected game or update.
- Whether the download is paused, queued, frozen, or failing at a particular percentage.
- When the problem occurs and whether it happens only in Rest Mode.
- The result of the PS5 Internet connection test.
- Whether other games or updates download normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a PS5 download games while completely turned off?
No. Background downloads require the console to remain in Rest Mode with Internet connectivity enabled. A fully powered-off PS5 cannot perform those Rest Mode tasks.
Does Rest Mode make downloads faster?
Not by itself. Rest Mode allows the download to continue with the console using less power, but speed still depends on PSN, your connection, Wi-Fi conditions, and competing traffic.
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Rest Mode is the PS5’s intended low-power background state, but a download still depends on uninterrupted power, network access, storage, account authorization, and PlayStation Network availability.
Will rebuilding the database delete my games?
Rebuild Database is different from Reset PS5 and is intended to create a new content database. Do not confuse it with Reset PS5 or Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software), which can delete console data.
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