Fix: PS4 Error CE-34788-0 (2023)

PS4 error CE-34788-0 is an error that usually occurs right after downloading a new update for your console and appears during startup along with the following message:

"This update file cannot be used
The update file on your USB device cannot be used. To install an update file from USB, make sure you are using the correct update type:
A standard upgrade requires the latest version of system software, which can be downloaded from eu.playstation.com/get-help/ps4-system-software/.”

There aren't many ways to solve the problem, but the ones we present below will almost certainly solve the problem if you follow the instructions carefully.

What Causes PS4 Error CE-34788-0?

The most common cause of this problem is a corrupted update file that you either downloaded automatically to your console or installed manually from a USB storage device and caused an error.black screeninstead of the normal start. Luckily, there is a way to solve the problem by completely downloading the PS4 system to a USB stick and reinstalling from there.

Another thing that might fix the problem is a simple hardware reset. This works in fewer scenarios but is worth trying as it only takes a minute unlike the method above.

Solution 1: Hard reset your PlayStation 4

Hard resetting a PlayStation 4 device can do wonders, and we recommend trying it if you're getting PS4 error CE-34788-0 when trying to update. This can easily solve the problem without trying to manually install the whole system again and it may only take a minute.

Please follow the steps below carefully to get the full effectreset ps4and we hope you don't see the error again after you're done!

1. On the front of the Xbox console, tap and hold the power button until it shuts down completely.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the PS4. Press and hold the power button on the PS4 several times to ensure there is no power left. This actually clears the cache and drains all power from the PS4. Make sure you leave it unplugged for a few minutes.

3. Reconnect the power supply and wait for the light on the power supply to change from white to amber.
4. Turn the PS4 back on as usual and see if you still get the PS4 CE-34788-0 error when you start the console.

Solution 2: Install the updated system manually

This might be your only method to fix the problem when hard reset method not working as numerous users have said that the error message disappears after downloading the entire PS4 setup from the official website and using a USB device was installed.

This method has one major disadvantage: you lose your personal information. Since this is probably your only option to solve the problem, you can accept the fact that you will lose your data, or you can back it up before performing a hard reset by following these first few steps.

1. You must use a FAT or exFAT formatted USB storage device. Make sure you fully insert the device into the USB port. Some devices are not supported due to form factor or design.
2. From your PS4's function screen, select Settings and navigate to System > Backup & Restore. On the new screen, select Backup PS4 option.

3. Press X to add a check mark in the Save Applications section.
4. Your PS4 will now restart and transfer any data you have saved. Depending on the amount of data, this can take anywhere from a few hours to more than a day.

Once you have solved this small problem, you can reset the PS4 using the file that you download from the PS4 official website. You still need to use another USB storage device to save the file, which should be around 900MB.

1. Turn on your computer and create a folder called "PS4". Open this folder and create another folder called "UPDATE".
2. Download the update file from the official PlayStation website to your PS4 and move it to the UPDATE folder you just created. Name the file "PS4UPDATE.PUP". You can download the latest update file by navigating to itLocation. Scroll all the way down and click on "Reinstall the system software". Find the download button.

3. Move the entire PS4 folder you created on your computer to the root folder of the existing USB storage device. Make sure you have at least 320MB of free space on your USB drive. Connect the USB drive to your PlayStation 4.
4. Turn on your PS4, click the PlayStation button to navigate to the features screen and open Settings >> System Software Update.

5. The PS4 should automatically detect the update files if you have named the folders and files correctly. Just follow the on-screen instructions to continue. If the file is not recognized, verify that you named and placed the folders correctly in the previous steps.

The final step in this method is to restore the backup you made for your games and user settings. This can be easily done after the software reset, so you don't have to worry about losing your data.

1. Connect the USB stick that you used to back up the game files to the system.
2. From the PlayStation 4 Home Menu's Features screen, select Settings > Saved Application Data Management > Saved Data on USB Storage Device > Download to System Storage. Choose a title.

3. Press X to put a tick in the checkbox of the saved data you want to copy and select Copy. The files must be there.

Solution 3: Restore PS4 Database

Database recovery can solve many problems on PS4, free up a lot of disk space and fix most problems. It creates a new database with all contents after cleaning the drive. Follow the steps below to create the PS4 database from scratch.

1. Press the power button on the front panel and turn off the PS4 system. The power indicator flashes for a few seconds before turning off.
2. After turning off the PS4 system, press and hold the power button again. You will hear a beep when you press the button and a second beep seven seconds after the previous one. Release the button when you hear the second beep.
3. After that, connect theDOUBLE SHOCK4wireless control with USB cable. Then press the PS button on the controller.
4. Choose"Rebuild database"Option in the menu by pressing the select button on the controller.
   
5. Wait a few seconds while the process continues and check if the error is resolved or not.
6. If the issue is not resolved and the PS4 returns to normal mode after restarting, try updating the PS4 system manually or restarting the PS4 first.

Solution 4: Fully Boot PS4

If your PS4 keeps crashing leading to various crashes and errors, you can do a full boot on your device. This would keep the device in good working order and prevent it from malfunctioning again. However, the full initialization of the Play Station may erase console data. So be careful and try to backup your console before you start it so that your data including pictures, videos and more can be saved from erasure. The recommended way for PS4 to boot is Safe Mode, so we need to boot it first. For this reason:

1. Press the power button on the front to turn off the PS4. After that, the power indicator flashes for a few seconds before turning off.
2. After turning off the PS4 system, press and hold the power button again. You will hear a beep when you press the button and a second beep seven seconds after the previous one. Release the button when you hear the second beep.
3. After that, connect theDOUBLE SHOCK4wireless control with USB cable. Then press the PS button on the controller.
4. Choose "Initialize PS4 option" from the list.

   

5. Wait for your PlayStation to boot up and see if the issue persists after the process is complete.

Solution 5: Format PS4 Hard Drive

One of the main causes of this error occurrence could be hard drive malfunction and crash. This in turn can lead to various crashes and errors that can be troublesome to deal with. You can always try to upgrade your PS4 hard drive to a newer one, but the old one can also be repaired. If your PS4 hard drive consists of bad sectors, it can lead to data corruption and entire system failure. Your hard drive may appear to be working properly, but it contains some bad sectors where optimal data storage simply isn't possible. A solution to this problem is to try to backup your data as making multiple copies is the only way to prevent your hard drive data from getting corrupted and dissolved. To get rid of bad sectors on PS4 hard drive, you can connect it to a PC and format it completely to get rid of any bad partitioning and remove bad sectors. In addition, you can examine its condition with a hard drive monitoring software to ensure that it is physically up to date.

If you are using an external USB flash drive or external hard drive on your computer, it is recommended to format it as well because sometimes it may contain some bad sectors as well. Before installing a software update on PlayStation 4, try resetting the external hard drive or USB if connected.

Solution 6: Reinstall PS4 Firmware

If you need to update your PS4 to the next system firmware, you can download it from Play Station website. You can download the update file here, but sometimes the PS4 does not recognize the operating system properly after the update and the error message pops up. So if you've replaced your hard drive, you'll need to completely reinstall your system software from the PlayStation website to ensure your operating system is running at its best. For this reason:

1. visit this oneWebsite tun PlayStationand look for the download link for the reinstallation file.
2. Click on the option to download the "PS4 system software reinstallation file“.

   

3. After clicking the option, the download should begin.
4. Wait for the download to finish and confirm your file by checking the file sizes. The update file we downloaded and installed earlier would be a little closer300 MBconsidering that the total size of the installation file would be closer to800 MB.
5. Place this file on a USB drive formatted forFETT 32Format it and make sure to paste it like we included the update file in the solution above.
6. Press the power button on the front to turn off the PS4. After that, the power indicator flashes for a few seconds before turning off.
7. After turning off the PS4 system, press and hold the power button again. You will hear a beep when you press the button and a second beep seven seconds after the previous one. Release the button when you hear the second beep.
8. After that, connect theDOUBLE SHOCK4wireless control with USB cable. Then press the PS button on the controller.
9. After you have completed this and booted into safe mode, select "Initialize PS4 (reinstall system software)"Possibility.

   

10. Select the Install from USB option and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall all PlayStation 4 software from a USB key.
11. Check overto see if this problem persists after you reinstall the software from scratch.