- Gaming and consoles
- PlayStation 4
CE-34878-0
PlayStation CE-34878-0 on PS4: game or application error
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On a PS4 console, CE-34878-0 means an error occurred with the game or application. Check for updates to both the game and PS4 system software, restart your console, unplug any PlayStation Camera and disable Enable Face Recognition, and back up your data before initializing.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Please note that initializing your PS4 console erases all data in the console's storage and deletes all users and their data; never select Initialize PS4 before backing up saved data to a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive or cloud storage.
- Do not turn off your PS4 console while backing up data or during a system software installation: PlayStation warns that doing so may cause data loss or corruption, or damage to your PS4 console or USB drive.
Safe checks you can perform
- Update the game or application and the PS4 system software, then restart the console
- Unplug any PlayStation Camera and turn off Enable Face Recognition in Login Settings
- Reinstall the original HDD if you previously replaced the console's hard disk drive
- Back up PS4 console data to USB storage and run Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Arrange service through PlayStation Repairs if CE-34878-0 affects multiple games or happens immediately at launch
- Do not attempt this professional task: Contact PlayStation Support or the game publisher if CE-34878-0 is isolated to a single updated title
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Arrange service through PlayStation Repairs if CE-34878-0 affects multiple games or happens immediately at launch
What they doIf CE-34878-0 keeps happening with multiple games or applications, or occurs immediately after starting a game or application after you have updated software, unplugged any PlayStation Camera, verified the original HDD, and initialized the PS4, submit the console through PlayStation Repairs.
They must show youthe PlayStation Repairs diagnostic workflow result and service intake summary for your PS4 console.
In writingthe PlayStation Repairs case reference, the list of steps already completed (updates, camera unplugged, original HDD, initialization), and the repair or replacement terms.
Contact PlayStation Support or the game publisher if CE-34878-0 is isolated to a single updated title
What they doWhen every other game and application on the PS4 works normally and CE-34878-0 occurs only inside one specific title after updating and checking settings, report the crash to PlayStation Support specialists with the exact application version.
They must show youconfirmation of whether the current game patch has a known crash issue on your PS4 system software version.
In writingthe support ticket number, the reported game and system software versions, and the recommended workaround or patch status.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Update the game or application and the PS4 system software, then restart the console
- Who:
- You, from the PS4 home screen and Settings menu.
- How:
- Highlight the affected game or app on the home screen, press the OPTIONS button, and select Check for Update; then verify your firmware under Settings > System > System Information (or Settings > System Software Update) and restart your PS4 console.
- Result that matters:
- PlayStation's first official fix for CE-34878-0 is ensuring both the PS4 console system software and the game/application are on their latest versions before restarting.
- If an application patch or system software update installs and the game runs stably after restarting the PS4, that confirms an outdated software build caused CE-34878-0.
- If both were already up to date and CE-34878-0 recurs after the restart, that rules out a missing update and points to checking for a connected PlayStation Camera or replaced HDD.
- Evidence to keep:
- Record the game version number, the PS4 system software version shown in System Information, and when the crash occurs.
Evidence: How to check for updates on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles · How to update system software on a PS4 console · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
Unplug any PlayStation Camera and turn off Enable Face Recognition in Login Settings
- Who:
- You, if a PlayStation Camera is connected to your PS4 console.
- How:
- Unplug the PlayStation Camera from the console, restart the PS4 console, go to Settings > Login Settings, and turn off Enable Face Recognition.
- Result that matters:
- In the PS4 User's Guide, Enable Face Recognition uses face data from a PlayStation Camera at login, and PlayStation Support explicitly requires disabling it and unplugging the camera when troubleshooting CE-34878-0.
- If unplugging the PlayStation Camera and turning off Enable Face Recognition stops CE-34878-0 from appearing, that confirms the camera face-recognition workflow triggered the crash.
- If no PlayStation Camera is connected or the crash continues with Enable Face Recognition turned off, that rules out the camera and points to checking the internal HDD.
- Evidence to keep:
- Keep a note of whether a PlayStation Camera was attached and a screenshot of Settings > Login Settings with Enable Face Recognition turned off.
Evidence: CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support · Enable Face Recognition | PlayStation 4 User's Guide
Reinstall the original HDD if you previously replaced the console's hard disk drive
- Who:
- You, if you previously swapped the PS4 console's factory hard disk drive (HDD) for a replacement drive.
- How:
- If you have replaced your console's hard disk drive (HDD), back up your saved data first, power off the PS4 completely before handling the drive bay, and reinstall the original HDD as directed by the CE-34878-0 support page.
- Result that matters:
- Testing with the original factory HDD isolates whether an aftermarket or replacement internal drive is causing application crashes.
- If reinstalling the original HDD eliminates CE-34878-0, that confirms the replacement hard disk drive was responsible for the application failures.
- If the console still uses its original HDD or CE-34878-0 persists with the original drive installed, that points to backing up your data and initializing the PS4 console.
- Evidence to keep:
- Record whether the internal HDD had been replaced, the drive model if known, and whether CE-34878-0 recurred on the original HDD.
Never remove or reinstall an internal HDD while the PS4 console is turned on or in rest mode, and always back up saved data before changing drives.
Evidence: How to back up and restore PS4 console data · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
Back up PS4 console data to USB storage and run Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4
- Who:
- You, using a FAT32 or exFAT-formatted USB drive to back up all important data before initializing.
- How:
- Sync trophies under Trophies > OPTIONS > Sync Trophies With PSN, connect a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive and run Settings > System > Back Up and Restore > Back Up; after completing the backup, go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Result that matters:
- PlayStation's CE-34878-0 guide recommends initializing the PS4 console only after backing up your data, because initializing erases all data in the console's storage.
- If the game runs without CE-34878-0 after initializing the PS4 console, that confirms corrupted local system or application data was causing the crash.
- If CE-34878-0 keeps happening with multiple games/applications, or immediately after starting a game/application after initialization, that confirms you should visit PlayStation Repairs.
- Evidence to keep:
- Save confirmation of your completed USB backup file and a list of the games or applications that still trigger CE-34878-0 after initialization.
Initializing your PS4 console deletes all user data and restores the console to its original state; never initialize without a completed backup and do not turn off the PS4 during backup or initialization.
Evidence: How to use Safe Mode on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles · How to back up and restore PS4 console data · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Gaming and consoles
- Brand
- PlayStation
- Product type
- PlayStation 4
Known code variants
- code erreur PS4 CE-34878-0
- codice errore PS4 CE-34878-0
- error PS4 CE-34878-0
- PlayStation 4 CE-34878-0
- PlayStation CE-34878-0
- PS4 CE-34878-0
- PS4 error code CE-34878-0
- PS4 Fehlercode CE-34878-0
What it means
PlayStation 4 error code CE-34878-0 is raised when an active game or application crashes or stops unexpectedly. In the official CE-34878-0 troubleshooting guide, PlayStation Support links this error to outdated game or PS4 system software versions, a connected PlayStation Camera with Enable Face Recognition active in Login Settings, a replaced internal hard disk drive (HDD), or corrupted local system state requiring initialization. A single CE-34878-0 crash never proves a permanently failed console motherboard or drive; PlayStation only directs you to PlayStation Repairs if it persists across multiple games or immediately upon launch after initialization.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Please note that initializing your PS4 console erases all data in the console's storage and deletes all users and their data; never select Initialize PS4 before backing up saved data to a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive or cloud storage.
Evidence: How to use Safe Mode on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles · How to back up and restore PS4 console data · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
- Mediumsource verified
Do not turn off your PS4 console while backing up data or during a system software installation: PlayStation warns that doing so may cause data loss or corruption, or damage to your PS4 console or USB drive.
Evidence: How to back up and restore PS4 console data · How to update system software on a PS4 console
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Outdated game/application patch or PlayStation 4 system software versionCommon
The first step in PlayStation Support's CE-34878-0 guide is making sure that both your PlayStation 4 console system software and the affected game or application are updated to their latest versions.
Evidence: How to check for updates on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles · How to update system software on a PS4 console · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
- Connected PlayStation Camera with Enable Face Recognition active in Login SettingsPossible
PlayStation Support specifically instructs users experiencing CE-34878-0 with a connected PlayStation Camera to unplug the camera, restart the console, and turn off Enable Face Recognition under Settings > Login Settings.
Evidence: CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support · Enable Face Recognition | PlayStation 4 User's Guide
- Replaced internal hard disk drive (HDD) or corrupted console storage statePossible
If the console's hard disk drive (HDD) was replaced with another drive, or if local data remains corrupted after updates, PlayStation Support directs you to reinstall the original HDD or back up your data and initialize the PS4 console.
Evidence: How to use Safe Mode on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles · How to back up and restore PS4 console data · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
- Persistent hardware or system fault affecting multiple games immediately at launchLess common
When CE-34878-0 keeps happening with multiple games or applications, or occurs immediately after starting a game or application even after initializing the PS4, PlayStation Support refers the console to PlayStation Repairs.
Evidence: How to use Safe Mode on PS5 consoles and PS4 consoles · CE-34878-0 PlayStation 4 error code support
Virtual technician
Does CE-34878-0 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
PlayStation Support · 2026 · official_doc
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