How to Fix PlayStation 4 Error SU-30638-0

Some Playstation 4 users are reporting that they end up seeing the error SU-30638-0 whenever they attempt to install a firmware update. This particular error code signals that the PS4 is currently busy so the update cannot be installed.

But after investigating this issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are multiple causes that might end up causing this particular error code. Here’s a shortlist of potential culprits that might be responsible for the error code SU-30638-0:

Method 1: Checking for a Server Issue

Before you try out any of the other fixes below, you should take the time to investigate whether there are any ongoing PSN problems that you should be aware of. As a lot of users have confirmed, you can expect to see the SU-30638-0 error code in instances where there’s a widespread server issue that is affecting the update delivery function.

In this case, the only thing you can do is try to pinpoint the issue by checking on the PSN Status Page.

Once you’re inside the PSN Status Page, check every service and their associated subcategory to see if Sony is currently reporting problems with their critical infrastructure services.

Note: If the investigation you’ve just completed did reveal a server issue, the problem is entirely beyond your control. The only thing you can do is wait for Sony to fix their server problems.

On the other hand, if you’ve just confirmed that there are no server issues to speak about, move down to the next potential fixes below to attempt to fix the SU-30638-0 error code locally.

Method 2: Performing a Power Cycle

If you didn’t do this already, your next step should be to eliminate an issue that’s caused by some type of corrupted temporary file/s. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the vast majority of relevant issues with a simple power cycle procedure.

This operation will essentially restart your console while making sure that temp data from the previous sessions is no longer being used.

To perform a power cycle procedure on your PS4 console, follow the instructions below:

1. Ensure that your console is powered on and idle (not in hibernation mode).
2. Next, press and hold on the power button (on your console) and keep it pressed until the console shuts off completely.

   

3. Once the console no longer shows signs of life and you can no longer hear the fans, let go of the power button.
4. Next, remove the power cord from the power outlet and wait for a full minute to ensure that the power capacitors are drained.
5. After this time period has passed, restore power to your console and restart it conventionally. Once it boots back up, attempt to install the pending firmware update once again and see if the error code is now fixed.

In case you still end up seeing the same SU-30638-0 error code, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Installing the Update using Safe Mode

If you’ve made sure that this is not a server issue and the power cycle procedure didn’t do you much good, chances are the pending firmware update that’s causing the error is not getting recognized by your PS4 system.

In this case, you should be able to get around the issue by forcing the firmware installation from Safe Mode. This method was confirmed to be effective by several affected users that were also dealing with the SU-30638-0 error code.

If you suspect this method might be effective in your case, follow the instructions below to install the latest firmware update from Safe Mode:

Note: The instructions below will work for every PS4 version (PS4 Vanilla, PS4 Slim, and PS4 PRO)

1. Start by ensuring that your console is currently connected to a stable network with Internet access.
2. Next, if you still have the botched update icon in the notification bar, access the Notification panel from the main dashboard of your console and see if the update prompt is still there. If it is, select it and press the Option key to bring the context menu, then choose Delete to remove it from the queue.

   

3. Once the update notification is deleted, you can turn off your PS4 completely (shut down, not sleep). You can do it from the Power Options menu or you can physically press the power button on your console.
4. After your console is turned off, press and hold the power button (on your console) until you hear 2 consecutive beeps. When you hear the second beep, you can release the power button as your console is about to enter Safe Mode.
5. Once you reach the first Safe Mode screen, you will be asked to connect a Dualshock 4 controller with a physical cable. Do so, then press the PS button on your controller to initiate the pairing process.

   

6. Once your controller is connected and you can switch between menus, use it to select Update System Software > Update using the Internet and confirm again to initiate the procedure.

   

7. Wait until the firmware update is downloaded and installed, then reboot your consoles you’d normally do and see if the problem is resolved at the next startup.

In case this attempt at installing the pending update resulted in the same SU-30638-0 error code, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Installing the Update Manually

If updating via the Internet didn’t work in your case and has resulted in the same SU-30638-0, your last pending approach at this point is to go through the steps of manually updating your PS4 system software.

This operation is also done from the Safe Mode menu, but there are some key requirements that you need to take care of between getting there.

Here are the minimum requirements that you need to meet in order to perform this procedure:

•  FAT 32 USB storage device, such as a USB flash drive – (You must have over 500 MB of free space)
• DS4 controller and compatible USB cable
• PC or Mac with a stable Internet-connected

Once you made sure that you meet the requirements, you can start following the instructions below to install the pending update manually while circumventing the SU-30638-0 error code:

1. On your PC, plug in a compatible flash drive with at least 4 GB of free space, then format it to FAT32. Do this by right-clicking on it and choosing Format from the context menu.
2. Once you’re inside the Format menu, set the name of the drive as PS4, set the File System to FAT32, and leave the Allocation unit size to Default.  Next, check the box associated with Perform a quick format and click Ok to get the process started.
   Note: Confirm the operation before starting it, then wait for it to complete.
3. Once the flash procedure is complete, access the newly created drive, create a new folder and name it UPDATE (all caps).
4. From your default browser, go ahead and download the latest firmware version of your pS4 by visiting the official download page. Next, scroll down to the Download section and click on PS4 System Update file.

   

5. After the download is complete, paste the file that was just downloaded inside the UPDATE folder that you previously created.
6. Once the copying process is over, take your flash drive out of the PC and plug it into the PS4 console.
7. If your console is already on, press the power button and keep it pressed until you’re certain that your console is turned off.

   

   Note: If your console is already off, skip this step.

8. Press and hold the power button to turn it off, and keep it pressed until you hear the second beep. When you hear it, your console is about to enter Safe Mode.
9. At the next screen, connect your controller with a physical cable and press the PS button to pair it with your console.

   

10. Once your controller is connected, choose Options 3: Update System Software from the list of available options.

    

11. From the sub-menu of Update System Software, choose Update from USB Storage Device, confirm your choice then wait for the operation to complete.

    

12. After the update is successfully installed, restart your console and allow it to boot in normal mode.