Why Does My PS5 Take Forever To Load Games Firmware Fixes That Help

If you’ve found yourself staring at a loading screen longer than the actual gameplay, you’re not alone. Many PS5 owners report frustratingly slow game load times—sometimes stretching into minutes—even though Sony promised lightning-fast SSD speeds. While the PS5’s solid-state drive was designed for near-instantaneous access, real-world performance can degrade over time due to software inefficiencies, storage congestion, or outdated firmware. The good news is that most of these issues are fixable. With the right troubleshooting steps and firmware optimizations, you can reclaim much of that lost speed.

Understanding the PS5’s Loading Architecture

The PS5 uses a custom 825GB SSD with a raw throughput of 5.5 GB/s, making it one of the fastest consumer consoles ever built. This hardware is engineered to minimize loading screens, enable rapid fast-travel in open-world games, and support seamless transitions between environments. However, the perceived speed isn’t just about raw bandwidth—it also depends on how efficiently the system manages data retrieval, background processes, and thermal regulation.

Several factors can interfere with optimal performance:

• Firmware bloat: System updates can introduce inefficiencies or bugs that affect disk read/write operations.
• Storage fragmentation (indirect): While SSDs don’t fragment like HDDs, excessive file rewriting and poor space management can slow access speeds.
• Background tasks: Downloads, updates, and suspended games consume system resources even when not actively used.
• Overheating: Thermal throttling reduces CPU and SSD performance to prevent damage.
• Game optimization: Some titles are poorly optimized for the PS5’s architecture, regardless of console health.

Sony regularly releases firmware updates aimed at improving stability and performance, but users must actively apply them and maintain their systems to see benefits.

Tip: Always let your PS5 install system updates overnight via rest mode—this ensures you’re running the latest performance patches.

Firmware Fixes That Actually Improve Load Times

Sony has rolled out several major firmware updates since the PS5’s launch, each targeting different aspects of system performance. Here are the most impactful firmware-related fixes that can reduce loading delays:

Enable Game Presets (Firmware Update 7.0+)

Released in March 2023, Firmware 7.0 introduced customizable game presets. You can now set default behavior for resolution, performance, and frame rate modes across all games. By standardizing settings, the system avoids redundant checks during startup, shaving seconds off initial load times.

1. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets.
2. Select preferred options such as “Performance Mode” or “Resolution Mode.”
3. Apply globally so every new game respects your choice automatically.

Use M.2 SSD Expansion with Proper Specifications (Firmware 5.0+)

Adding an NVMe M.2 SSD increases available storage and can improve load performance—if done correctly. Firmware 5.0 unlocked internal expansion, but only drives meeting strict criteria deliver optimal speed.

Requirement	Recommended Spec	Poor Choice
Interface	PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe	SATA-based SSD
Sequential Read Speed	5,500 MB/s or higher	Below 5,000 MB/s
Cooling Solution	Heatsink or fan	No cooling
Capacity	250GB–4TB	Over 4TB (unsupported)

Installing a high-speed, properly cooled M.2 SSD allows large games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III or Hogwarts Legacy to stream assets faster, reducing both initial load times and in-game pop-in delays.

Rebuild Database in Safe Mode (Available in All Firmware Versions)

This hidden feature forces the PS5 to scan its drive and rebuild the system database from scratch—a process similar to defragmentation on older systems. It clears corrupted index entries and improves file access efficiency.

“Rebuilding the database fixed my 90-second Spider-Man loads. I went from 1m 30s to under 20s after cleaning up corrupted cache files.” — Marcus T., PS5 owner and tech reviewer

Step-by-Step Guide to Rebuild Your PS5 Database

Follow this sequence to perform a database rebuild safely without losing saved data:

1. Turn off your PS5 completely using the power button on the console.
2. Press and hold the physical power button until you hear two beeps: one immediately, then another after seven seconds. This enters Safe Mode.
3. Connect your DualSense controller via USB and press the PS button.
4. Select Option 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
5. Choose Rebuild Database. This scans all installed content and reindexes files.
6. Wait for completion (can take 30–60 minutes depending on storage usage).
7. Restart normally.

This process doesn’t delete games or saves but may temporarily remove some UI thumbnails. Performance gains are often noticeable within hours.

Tip: Perform a database rebuild every 2–3 months if you frequently install/uninstall games or notice slowing response times.

Optimize Storage and Background Activity

Even with updated firmware, poor storage management can cripple performance. A full drive operates slower because the SSD has less free space for wear leveling and caching. Aim to keep at least 15–20% of your total storage free.

Practical Storage Management Checklist

• ✅ Uninstall games you haven’t played in 30+ days.
• ✅ Move less-played titles to external USB storage (for later reinstallation).
• ✅ Delete duplicate screenshots and videos from the media gallery.
• ✅ Disable auto-downloads for themes and non-critical updates.
• ✅ Use cloud saves (via PlayStation Plus) to back up progress before uninstalling.

Additionally, suspend too many games at once can bog down memory and background loaders. When you resume a suspended title, the system reloads textures and states from storage. If multiple games are suspended, this creates contention for SSD access.

Limit active suspended games to two or three. Close others by selecting them in the dashboard and pressing Options → Close Game.

Real-World Example: Fixing Slow Loads in Elden Ring

Consider Alex, a PS5 user who experienced 45-second load times every time he died in Elden Ring—significantly worse than YouTube benchmarks showing 15-second loads. Despite having only 60% storage usage and no visible errors, his system felt sluggish.

After trying various solutions, here’s what worked:

1. Updated to the latest firmware (version 8.01).
2. Uninstalled unused racing games taking up 120GB.
3. Performed a database rebuild in Safe Mode.
4. Deleted over 2,000 screenshots stored locally.

Result: Load times dropped from 45 seconds to 18 seconds—a 60% improvement. No hardware changes were needed, proving that software hygiene plays a crucial role.

Do’s and Don’ts of PS5 Performance Optimization

Do	Don’t
Keep firmware updated	Ignore system update notifications
Use M.2 SSDs rated ≥5,500 MB/s	Install low-end NVMe drives without heatsinks
Rebuild database periodically	Delete files manually through USB without backup
Enable rest mode for background updates	Leave the console in direct sunlight or enclosed spaces
Close unused suspended games	Run intensive downloads while gaming

“The PS5’s SSD is powerful, but it's only as fast as the software managing it. Regular maintenance is key.” — Naomi Reyes, Senior Console Engineer at GameFix Labs

FAQ: Common Questions About PS5 Load Times

Why do some games still load slowly even after updates?

Not all developers fully optimize for the PS5’s SSD. Some ports from PS4 use legacy streaming methods, which limit speed gains. Additionally, open-world games with dense asset streaming (like Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut) naturally require more loading overhead despite hardware advantages.

Does turning off the PS5 completely help with performance?

Yes. Fully powering down clears volatile memory and resets background processes. While rest mode is convenient, prolonged use can lead to memory leaks or stalled downloads that subtly impact performance. Power cycling weekly helps maintain responsiveness.

Can overheating cause longer load times?

Absolutely. If your PS5 runs hot, its internal sensors trigger thermal throttling, reducing CPU and SSD speeds to protect components. Ensure vents are unobstructed, place the console vertically with clearance on all sides, and clean dust buildup every few months using compressed air.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your PS5’s Speed

Your PS5 shouldn’t feel slow. The combination of cutting-edge hardware and ongoing firmware improvements means peak performance is achievable—but it requires proactive care. From updating system software to rebuilding databases and managing storage wisely, each step contributes to smoother, faster gameplay. These fixes don’t require technical expertise or expensive upgrades; they demand only attention and consistency.

Start today: check your firmware version, clear unnecessary files, and run a database rebuild. Monitor load times before and after. Most users report immediate improvements. Share your results, try one optimization at a time, and fine-tune your setup for maximum responsiveness.

💬 Experiencing slow loads? Try these fixes and comment below with your results! Help others by sharing which tip worked best for you.