Cryptic PlayStation 4 message crashing consoles: Details here
What's the story
A malicious message containing a string of certain characters is crashing Sony's PlayStation 4. Several users shared the problem on Reddit and social media, revealing how it first freezes the console and then crashes it. The issue gets so complicated at times that people are being forced to reset their consoles, and install games again. Here are the details.
Details
Message affects even without being opened
The message, as the reports suggested, triggers a bug, which then compromises the console. In fact, in some cases, it doesn't even have to be opened for the glitch to trigger. "Got a message then after a minute my controller stopped working and everything went silent," a Rocket League player reported. Next, their home screen access was gone and a 'Report Problem' screen appeared.
Workaround
Deleting message won't help, but there might be a solution
Even deleting the malicious message from Sony's PS4 mobile app won't solve the problem. A player who witnessed his entire team crash while playing Rainbow Six Siege confirmed this, but he also found a possible workaround. "Only one of our guys wasn't affected and he has his messages [set to] private," the player said while sharing a screenshot of the malicious message.
Preventive measure
Here's what you can do to save your console
Sony will soon push an update to get rid of the bug. But, before that happens, you may change PS4 message privacy to make sure your console doesn't receive messages from strangers. Just visit this link (https://bit.ly/2P1LZ6m) and log into your PS4 account Then, go to "Messages" in the "Personal Info" section and click edit to select either "no one" or "friends only" option.
Rebuilding database
If already affected, try this
If your console is already affected from the buggy message, try rebuilding the PS4 system database in safe mode before jumping onto the resetting option. This would scan the console's hard drive and reorganize all its content by creating a new database. Sony recommends using this option on experiencing game issues like freezing and crashing, but says it might take some time.