How to Eject a Disc on PS4 | Manual Screw Trick

When a PS4’s eject button fails, the reliable fix is turning a hidden manual eject screw with a Phillips-head screwdriver until the disc emerges from the slot.

A disc stuck in a PlayStation 4 is a bad moment, especially when the shiny eject button does nothing. The console makes a whirring sound, refuses to cooperate, and you are left wondering how to get the game back. Sony built a mechanical backup for exactly this situation, and it works whether you own a launch-model PS4, a PS4 Slim, or a PS4 Pro. The method involves one screw, one screwdriver, and about two minutes of work with the console unplugged. The table below shows which route applies to your specific model.

What You Need Before Starting

The only tool required is a slender Phillips-head screwdriver, size PH-1 recommended. A flathead or dull tool will not grip the tiny screw properly and could strip it. A flashlight helps on older models where the screw hides inside a vent. Put the console on a clean, flat surface and unplug every cable: power cord, HDMI, USB, everything. The console must be fully off — not in Rest Mode. To make absolutely sure, hold the power button for about seven seconds. The system will beep twice and the light will go out completely.

How to Eject a Disc on PS4: Newer Models (Slim, Pro, Late CUH-2xxx)

This is the simplest route. Sony moved the manual eject screw to a dedicated hole on the bottom of the case, and the process takes under a minute. Turn the console upside down with the PlayStation logo facing away from you. Look for a small screw hole directly above the logo. If a little cap covers it, pry the cap off with a fingernail or the edge of the screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver and turn counter-clockwise. You may need to push gently through a thin layer of plastic — Sony says doing so does not void the warranty. Turn several full rotations. The disc will slowly push itself out of the slot. Once it peeks out, pull the disc free. Replace the cap if you removed it, reconnect the cables, and power on.

Manual Eject on Older PS4 Consoles (CUH-1xxx, Early CUH-2xxx)

Launch-model PS4 units put the screw in a less obvious place, but the mechanism is the same. First, slide the glossy top panel off. Press on its left side and push it away from the front of the console until it pops free. On the outer left edge, find a single vent that sits apart from the main vent cluster. Shine a flashlight into that vent. The manual eject screw sits inside. Insert the Phillips screwdriver into the vent and turn counter-clockwise. Some older guides mention turning the screw clockwise when accessed through the hard drive bay, but the vent-access method is counter-clockwise every time. Turn until the disc appears, then gently pull it out. If the screw is hard to reach, slide the hard drive out halfway — the gap reveals the screw more clearly. Replace the hard drive, snap the top panel back on, reconnect cables, and you are done.

PlayStation’s official support documentation confirms the counter-clockwise direction and notes that pushing through the thin inner layer of plastic does not affect the warranty. Stick to Phillips-head screwdrivers and never force the screw.

What If The Disc Still Will Not Come Out?

Try placing the console vertically for about thirty minutes before attempting the manual eject again. Gravity sometimes nudges a disc loose. When the eject button fails but the system software still loads, you can also use the controller: highlight the game tile on the home screen, press the Options button, and select Remove Disc. If neither the software nor the manual screw works after several careful attempts, contact PlayStation Support. The screw is small and can break under excessive force, so steady pressure matters more than strength.

Common Mistakes That Jam Things Worse

Turning the screw clockwise is the most frequent error — it tightens the mechanism instead of releasing it. Trying the manual eject with the console in Rest Mode or still plugged in risks shorting the drive. A dull or wrong-size screwdriver shreds the screw head, turning a five-minute fix into a repair shop visit. None of these are dangerous, but they turn a straightforward job into an afternoon project. Go slow, go counter-clockwise, and the disc will come out.