PS4 Pro Will Not Recognize Official Recovery File When Upgrading to SSD
Model: CUH-7015B
I’m hoping someone has seen this before because I’m completely stumped.
I recently purchased a used PS4 Pro. The console itself works perfectly with the original internal hard drive. It boots normally, downloads games, installs games, plays games, and otherwise functions exactly as it should. The only reason I opened it was to upgrade the internal HDD to an SSD.
When I install a brand-new blank SSD and boot into Safe Mode, the PS4 only allows me to select Option 7 (Initialize PS4 / Reinstall System Software), which I understand is normal for a blank drive.
However, every time I attempt to reinstall the system software, I receive the following message:
“Cannot find the update file for version 13.04 or later.”
Here’s everything I’ve tried:
- Downloaded the official PS4 Console Reinstallation File from Sony (approximately 1.05 GB), not the smaller update file.
- Downloaded it multiple times.
- Downloaded it using both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
- Verified I’m using the Console Reinstallation File, not the regular update file.
- Verified the file is named exactly PS4UPDATE.PUP.
- Verified the folder structure is exactly:
USB:\PS4\UPDATE\PS4UPDATE.PUP - Enabled Windows file extensions to verify the file isn’t actually something like .PUP.PUP, .ZIP, or .TXT.
- Tried multiple USB flash drives.
- Tried both FAT32 and exFAT formatting.
- Tried different front USB ports.
- Safely ejected the USB drives before using them.
- Have also used different SSDs from Samsung and Sandisk and they were different sizes.
Original HDD:
The original HDD still works perfectly. The console boots normally, connects to PSN, downloads games, installs games, and plays games without any issues.
If I boot into Safe Mode with the original HDD installed, all Safe Mode options are available.
However, if I select Option 7, I receive the exact same error:
“Cannot find the update file for version 13.04 or later.”
New SSD:
With the blank SSD installed:
- Only Option 7 is available (which I believe is expected).
- Selecting Option 7 results in the exact same error.
I also attempted to clone the original HDD directly to the SSD instead of performing a clean installation.
The cloned SSD would not boot correctly either, so both methods have failed:
- Clean install using Sony’s recovery software.
- Direct HDD-to-SSD clone.
At this point, I believe I’ve ruled out:
- Wrong recovery file.
- Wrong folder structure.
- Incorrect filename.
- Hidden Windows file extensions.
- Corrupted browser download.
- Chrome vs. Edge.
- FAT32 vs. exFAT.
- A bad USB flash drive.
- A bad SSD.
The original HDD has continued to run perfectly for several months since these failed SSD upgrade attempts, so this is not a case of a dead console or a failed hard drive. I’m simply trying to upgrade to an SSD. I can also install and play games from an external SSD.
What confuses me is that the console appears completely healthy during normal operation. It boots normally, reads USB devices, downloads games, installs games, and plays games without issue. The only thing it refuses to do is recognize the official Sony Console Reinstallation File while in Safe Mode.
Has anyone seen this before?
Could this indicate:
- Corrupted recovery firmware?
- Corrupted internal flash memory?
- Syscon issue?
- Southbridge issue?
- Something else entirely?
Or is there another troubleshooting step I haven’t thought of before I send it out for repair?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.