I plan to make a video on this someday…
Things you will need:
- USB Flash Drive 4GB or larger (can probably get away with a 2GB)
- Replacement Hard Drive (or the one already inside)
- Computer to download and load the file onto the USB
Replace the HDD
- There are several videos on YouTube so I won’t do this step but here are a couple links:
Prepare the USB Flash Drive
- Download the PS4 Reinstallation File
- If you like you can follow the USB Flash Drive prep from the Playstation website
- Insert the USB Flash Drive and open the explorer window
- Click This PC and then right click your USB Flash Drive and click Format
- Be sure FAT32 is selected and Quick Format is checked then click Start
- Once that is done Create a folder called PS4 and another folder inside called UPDATE
- Put the PS4UPDATE.PUP file you download above into the UPDATE folder
Install the update
- Turn the Playstation off
- Insert the USB Flash Drive
- Press and HOLD the power button until you hear two quick beeps then release
- From the menu select
- Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)
- Then select
- Update from USB Storage Device > OK
Reference
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps4/system-software/