- Gaming and consoles
- PlayStation 4
NP-31730-4
PlayStation NP-31730-4 on PS4: error while connecting to PlayStation
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The PS4 hit an error while connecting to PlayStation. Sign out and back in from Settings > Account Management, then turn the console off and unplug it for 5 minutes before you think about a backup and reset.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Initialize PS4 erases the console and restoring a backup also wipes what is on it at that moment. Back up first and keep the USB drive until everything is restored.
Safe checks you can perform
- Sign out and sign in again
- Power off with the cable unplugged for 5 minutes
- Back up your data before any reset
- Initialize PS4 as the last step
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.
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.
Sign out and sign in again
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- go to Settings > Account Management and sign out. Then sign in again with the same account.
- Result that matters:
- whether the console connects to PlayStation without showing NP-31730-4.
- If it connects:
- the account session was the problem and nothing else is needed.
- If the code returns:
- go on to the power off with the cable unplugged.
- Evidence to keep:
- time of the attempt and a photo of the error screen if it shows again.
Evidence: PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
Power off with the cable unplugged for 5 minutes
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- turn off the PS4 and unplug its power cable. Wait 5 minutes, plug it back in and restart the console.
- Result that matters:
- whether the connection to PlayStation now works.
- If it works:
- it was a temporary console state.
- If the code returns:
- back up your data before any reset. The code alone does not show that the console is damaged.
- Evidence to keep:
- note how long the cable was out and whether the code came back.
Evidence: PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
Back up your data before any reset
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management and back up your saved data, as Sony's error page says. For a full backup, Sony's guide uses Settings > System > Back Up and Restore with a USB drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT that has at least double the space of the backup file.
- Result that matters:
- a backup that finished without errors.
- If the backup completes:
- you can go on to initialization knowing your saved data is kept.
- If it fails or there is not enough space:
- stop here and do not initialize the console yet.
- Evidence to keep:
- backup file name, date and where it is stored.
Do not turn the PS4 off while it is backing up: Sony warns this can cause data loss or corruption, or damage the console or USB drive.
Evidence: How to back up and restore PS4 console data · PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
Initialize PS4 as the last step
- Who:
- you, only after a finished backup.
- How:
- go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4.
- Result that matters:
- whether the console connects to PlayStation after initialization.
- If it connects:
- the stored data was the cause. Restoring a backup also erases what is on the console at that moment, so restore before you add new data.
- If NP-31730-4 still shows:
- you have ruled out the session, the temporary state and the stored data; contact PlayStation Support with this history.
- Evidence to keep:
- screenshot or photo of the error after initialization and the list of steps already done.
Initialize PS4 erases the data on the console. Do it only once a backup has finished.
Evidence: How to back up and restore PS4 console data · PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation 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
- An error occurred while connecting to PlayStation NP-31730-4
- error NP-31730-4 PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 4 error code NP-31730-4
- PlayStation 4 NP-31730-4
- PlayStation error NP-31730-4
- PlayStation NP-31730-4
- PS4 error NP-31730-4
- PS4 NP-31730-4
What it means
Sony describes NP-31730-4 on PS4 only as an error while connecting to PlayStation. Its steps go in order through the account session on the console (sign out and in), the console's temporary state (off and unplugged for 5 minutes) and, last, the data stored on the console (backup, then Initialize PS4). The code does not say which of these is behind it and does not point at a faulty part; the order of the steps is what tells them apart.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Initialize PS4 erases the console and restoring a backup also wipes what is on it at that moment. Back up first and keep the USB drive until everything is restored.
Evidence: How to back up and restore PS4 console data · PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Account session needs refreshingPossible
Sony's first step is to sign out and sign in again. If the error stops after that, the session on the console was the issue.
Evidence: PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
- Temporary console statePossible
Cleared by turning the console off, unplugging it and waiting 5 minutes. If the error goes away then, nothing needs resetting.
Evidence: PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
- Data on the console needs a resetPossible
Sony only suggests a backup and Initialize PS4 if the first two steps fail. It is the last option because initialization erases the console.
Evidence: How to back up and restore PS4 console data · PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
Virtual technician
Does NP-31730-4 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
How to back up and restore PS4 console data
Sony Interactive Entertainment (playstation.com/en-us) · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
PS4 error code NP-31730-4 (PlayStation Support)
Sony Interactive Entertainment (playstation.com/en-us) · 2026 · official_doc
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