Where to find the auto power-off setting

Your PS5 automatically turns itself off after a period of inactivity to save power. This happens by default — the console waits 30 minutes without any controller input before shutting down. You can disable this feature entirely, or change how long the console waits before powering off.

The setting lives in your PS5's system menu under Power Saving Settings. You do not need a PC or any external tool — everything happens on the console itself through your controller.

Key Takeaways

  • PS5 auto power-off is controlled through Settings > System > Power Saving Settings > Rest Mode Settings on your console.
  • You can disable auto power-off entirely, or change the timer from 30 minutes to 60 minutes or 120 minutes.
  • Disabling auto power-off means your PS5 will stay on indefinitely until you manually turn it off with the controller or power button.
  • If you turn off the console using the controller's power button, it goes into Rest Mode by default — you can change this to full shutdown in the same menu.

Step-by-step: Disable auto power-off

Start from your PS5's home screen. Press the PS button on your controller to bring up the control center at the bottom of the screen. From there, navigate to Settings — it looks like a gear icon.

Once in Settings, scroll down and select System. Then select Power Saving Settings. You will see two options: "Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode" and "Set Time Until Controller Turns Off Console". The first one is what controls auto power-off.

Select "Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode". You will see four choices: 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 120 minutes. If you want the console to never automatically power off, there is no "never" option here — instead, select 120 minutes, which is the longest available timer. If you want it to turn off faster, pick a shorter time.

Press X to confirm your choice. The setting takes effect when ready. Your PS5 will now wait the full duration you selected before entering Rest Mode.

What "Rest Mode" actually means

When your PS5 enters Rest Mode after the timer runs out, it does not fully shut down. Instead, it enters a low-power state where the screen goes black, the fan quiets, and the console uses minimal electricity. The light on the front of the console turns orange to show it is in Rest Mode.

While in Rest Mode, your PS5 can still read game updates, charge controllers connected to it, and respond to remote commands from your phone or another device. If you want the console to fully power off instead of entering Rest Mode, you can change this behavior in the same Power Saving Settings menu — look for "When Putting PS5 into Rest Mode" and select "Power Off" instead of "Enter Rest Mode".

The difference between Rest Mode and full shutdown

Rest Mode uses about 0.9 watts of power, while a fully powered-off PS5 uses almost nothing. If you leave your console on all day, Rest Mode will cost you slightly more on your electricity bill than a full shutdown, but the difference is small — roughly a few dollars per year depending on your local power rates.

Full shutdown is better if you want zero power draw and do not need background downloads or remote access. Rest Mode is better if you want your console to read updates overnight or if you use PlayStation Remote Play to stream games to another device.

Manual power-off with your controller

You can also turn off your PS5 manually without waiting for the timer. Press the PS button on your controller, then select Power from the control center menu. You will see two options: "Enter Rest Mode" or "Turn Off PS5". Choose whichever you prefer.

If you have set your console to power off instead of entering Rest Mode (in the Power Saving Settings), then selecting "Turn Off PS5" will fully shut down the console. Otherwise, it will enter Rest Mode regardless of which option you pick — the setting you chose in Power Saving Settings overrides the manual menu.

Why your PS5 might still turn off even after changing the setting

If your PS5 is turning off faster than the timer you set, check whether a game or app has its own power-off setting. Some games include their own inactivity timers that override the console setting. Closing the game or app and returning to the home screen should stop this behavior.

Another reason is controller timeout. Your PS5 can turn off the controller after 10 or 30 minutes of inactivity, and if the controller is off, the console may interpret this as inactivity and power down. You can adjust controller timeout separately in the same Power Saving Settings menu under "Set Time Until Controller Turns Off Console".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set the auto power-off timer to never turn off?

There is no "never" option, but 120 minutes is the longest available timer. If you set it to 120 minutes and keep your controller active, the console will stay on indefinitely. For true "never auto power-off", set the timer to 120 minutes and periodically press a button on your controller before the timer expires.

Does disabling auto power-off damage my PS5?

No. Leaving your PS5 on continuously will not harm the hardware. The console has built-in cooling and is designed to run for extended periods. Your main concern is electricity cost and heat generation in your room, not console damage.

Will my PS5 still read updates if I turn off auto power-off?

Only if the console is in Rest Mode. If you set it to fully power off instead of entering Rest Mode, updates will not read in the background. You can change this in Power Saving Settings by selecting "Enter Rest Mode" instead of "Power Off" for the shutdown behavior.

What if I want different settings for different times of day?

The PS5 does not have scheduling features built in. You would need to manually change the Power Saving Settings each time you want a different timer. Some users set it to 120 minutes during the day and 10 minutes before bed, then change it back manually.

Does the power button on the console itself have a different effect than the controller?

Holding the power button on the front of the console for three seconds triggers the same action as selecting "Turn Off PS5" from the controller menu — it will either enter Rest Mode or fully power off depending on your Power Saving Settings choice.