Back in April, we saw reports that claim the PS4 console can potentially become unplayable if its CMOS battery dies, and it can’t connect to PSN servers. But it looks like a recent software update for the console solved the issue, or so claims the YouTube channel known as Destruction Games.
The channel claims that, following the PS4 software update 9.0, the PS4 with a “dead battery” can now play digital games without crashing. Trophies can also be earned, though the earn date will be left blank.
The software update itself was released last week, which allowed players to view PS5 trophies on the PS4. Though VGC reports that the official firmware patch notes did not make any mention of this fix.
Soooooo it looks like the 9.0 PS4 firmware update fixed the CBOMB issue…
Tested it on my PS4 with a dead battery and games are no longer crashing on startup and I can even earn trophies, although the trophy earn dates will be blank
— Destruction Games〡DoesItPlay (@desgamesyt) September 21, 2021
This can only be good news, even if it’s something that players are unlikely to experience. Previously, most games with a trophy system, which is to say basically every modern game, will become unplayable if the PS4 CMOS battery dies, and the console can’t connect to PSN to verify the current date. It can be argued to be, at least partly, a DRM thing, to stop players from being able to Play PS Plus free games when their subscription expires.
(Source: Destruction Games / YouTube via VGC)
