PS5 M.2 SSD not recognised or not working
When a correctly installed drive is detected, the PS5 shows a formatting guide at the next start. If that doesn’t happen, or the drive misbehaves later, work through the checks below in order.
M.2 SSD not recognised or not usable
- Update system software. Install the latest PS5 system software before fitting the drive.[1]
- Check the interface. The drive must be a PCIe Gen4 ×4 NVMe SSD with an M key. M.2 SATA drives are not supported.[1]
- Check capacity and size. Supported capacity is 250 GB to 8 TB. With the heatsink fitted, the drive may be at most 25 mm wide and 11.25 mm thick.[1]
- Reseat the drive. Insert the drive diagonally and fully into the connector, then check that the board lies flush on the spacer and the cooling structure does not block the screw.[1]
- Expansion slot cover will not close. The cooling structure is probably larger than the allowed dimensions. Use a thinner heatsink.[1]
- Games stutter on the M.2 drive. Pause downloads from the control center and let disc installs finish. If problems remain, move the game to console storage.[1]
Quick requirement check
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 ×4 M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M)[1] |
|---|---|
| Supported capacity | 250 GB – 8 TB[1] |
| Form factors | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110[1] |
| Max. thickness incl. cooling | 11.25 mm (8.0 mm above board, 2.45 mm below)[1] |
| M.2 SATA drives | Not supported[1] |
| Host Memory Buffer (HMB) | Not supported by PS5[1]HMB drives work but may be slower than expected. |
Caution Don’t power on the console while the cover is off, and don’t switch it off while the drive is being formatted.
Installation steps per console model: PS5 M.2 SSD requirements and installation.
Sources
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