When the hard drive on your PlayStation 3 is corrupted, it causes your console not to work correctly. Similar to the hard drive that is inside a computer, the HDD (hard disk drive) used in PlayStation 3 consoles can also develop issues during usage. To fix a corrupted PS 3 HDD, reformatting is needed. You need to remove the HDD from the PS 3 console unit to access its format functions. The process of formatting your console does not void its warranty from Sony.

Before we go through the steps of formatting your PS 3 HDD, you have to bear in mind that by doing the said process will cause lost or deletion of all the data stored on your PS 3 console. However, your online stats, games, and add-ons that you already bought from the PSN are also stored on the network. So you can retrieve them once your PS 3 console is up and running again.

Now let us proceed to the steps on formatting your PS 3 console.

1. Place your PS 3 in standby mode. Then locate the model number of your PS 3 console. It can be found in the serial number label at the back panel of your console. Generally, it starts with CECH. It would look like this: “Serial: xxxxxxxxxxxx – CECHxxx –“.

For model numbers such as P01, L01, K01, H01MG, H01, G01, E01MG, E01, B01, CECHA01, the power switch is at the back of the console. Turn it off and turn it back on, you will then get a red light indicator flashing in front of your console.

On the other hand, for models CECH-2001B and CECH-2001A, the power switch is in front of the console. Pressing on that button will turn on the red light indicator in front of the console.

If the red light indicator fails to turn on, unplug and plug back in the power cord.

1. Pull out the HDD compartment lid from the right side part of the PS 3 console. Remove the screw and pull the locking latch to the right side inside the HDD compartment to unlock it.
2. Place your console to safe mode. Press and hold the power switch until, you will then hear 3 beep sounds and the red light indicator turns on. Release the button once you’ll see the red light on.
3. Press and hold the power switch again and this time you have to wait until you will hear 2 quick beeps, and then release it.
4. You will then be prompted with a screen that says: “Connect the controller with the USB cable and then press the PS button”. Connect the game controller’s cable into one of ports for game controllers in front of the console. Then press the power button while pressing down the x-button on your game controller.
5. It will then prompt you with the Safe Mode options screen. Click on Option 5 or “Restore PS3 System”. Then click on YES to proceed to the next step.
6. Another screen will pop up on your screen, it will now say: “the hard disk’s file system is corrupt and will be restored”.  Wait for a few minutes for the console to format the HDD. After rebooting and the Home menu appear on the screen, turn your PS 3 off.
7. Place the HDD back to its compartment. Reattach the screws and pull the lack latch to the left to lock it back in.