Fix the PS4 Time after replacing the CMOS Battery on Firmware version 9.0.
March 27, 2022
The Problem
After I replaced the CMOS Battery on my Base Model PS4, I noticed that it couldn’t keep the time after a power loss. The PS4 is on firmware Version 9.0 where the CMOS Time Bomb was fixed. I mean it was fixed but e.g. Grand Theft Auto V (Version 1.38) with the No Intro were not able to start correctly (stuck at 90% Loading and heavy flickering).
The Fix
The fix is very simple, but a little scary to do on a Jailbroken PS4. You need to sync the time with a PSN Time Server. This has to be done once, after that the time will stay saved even after a power loss.
Make sure to do at least one of the following steps before:
- Have a Pi-hole setup on your Network and whitelist the following Domain for:
csla.np.community.playstation.net - Have a payload that Blocks the Update
Steps
- Set up the Pi-hole to block every domain for the PS4 (You can use the Groups feature for that.)
- Use a Payload that Blocks the Update process on the PS4
- Connect to the Internet (preferable a LAN Cable, because you can unplug that quickly.)
- Go to the Settings and sync the Time using “Network Time”
- Disconnect from the Internet
After you have done that, the PS4 should keep the correct time again.