Topic: Light went out and now my PS4 says it can't start. Help!

So this afternoon I was playing Battlefield 5 when suddenly lights (as in the electric current) went off for about 5 seconds and came back. About 3 hours later I turned on the system, but it sends me to safe mode and says I need to do a reinstallation of version 8.50 or higher. Did I lose all my files? Is there any way to make a back up or are they gone for good? Should I take it to a technician or do I resign and do it myself? My main account DOES NOT have PS Plus, I share it with my cousin so his account is the one that has it. Any advice or help is appreciated!

Make sure that your PS4 is completely off. (NO standby mode!)
Press AND HOLD your power on button on your PS4 - you will hear a beep and after holding it for about 7 seconds you will hear another beep - Release the button.

If you did it right you should boot up the "service" menu on your PS4. Choose rebuild database and see if that works. No files should be lost apart from folders. The games are still installed but they are not in folders anymore.

IF that doesn't work. Turn off your PS4 again and do the boot into failsafe servicemenu once again. This time choose "Update system software".

IMPORTANT: Do NOT choose last two options 6/7 Initialize because that way you will revert the entire console to factory settings as it was when it was brand new. Everything gone - profile, games, everything. Be careful about that.

I hope you solve it and save your games.

// Zeke

@Zeke68 Hi, thanks for the response! Some things before I try this solution. The PS4 won't send me to the main menu, it straight up puts me to a safe mode after "Checking the system storage status..." for some seconds and stooping at around 36%, it then tells me "Cannot star the PS4. Connect the DUALSHOCK 4 using the USB cable, and then press the PS Button" After connecting the controller and pushing the PS button it puts up a screen that reads: "Safe Mode: Connect a USB storage device that contains an update file for reinstallation for version 8.50 or later..." Do you thinks this will work in that situation? I've never had anything happen to my PS so am pretty scared to proceed in any way haha so sorry for the long question, and thanks again for the previous response!

@Zeke68 Hey, some updates. I tried this methods, however none of them worked It seems the hard drive either got corrupted, or straight up got formatted which I fear the most. I'm thinking of taking it to a technician so he can take out the hard drive and give it a look. Hopefully my files are fine. Either way I'll have to do a reinstallation and return it to factory values. But thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!

Try downloading the latest firmware http://deu01.ps4.update.playstation.net/update/ps4/image/2021...
and put it onto an USB drive/stick and try if that works.
I'm 100% sure only your bootsector got f-d up and your PS4 just need to approve of your firmware version and you can do the rebuild database I mentioned above and it should work.
If it doesn't work, no need for a technician (unless you know one), I'm afraid you have to bite the bullet and reformat your PS4 and start from scratch. Reinstalling everything and so on...
I hope you solve it without doing that. 🤘

@Zeke68 I'll definitely try this later, thanks a lot for all the help man! I'll update you on how it goes

Before you do anything too complicated, try unplugging your console for at least a minute, then plug it back in and try starting it normally.

@Esterami00 forgot to @ you, see comment above.

@Esterami00 Any luck with your PS4 ?