The PlayStation 4 power and eject buttons are still confusing people, three years later

The PlayStation 4 was released in 2013. Ben Kuchera attended an event for critics and writers where he was given one, he was taught how to use most of the system's features and he spent the rest of the evening in a hotel room playing games and exploring the new system. "The PlayStation 4 is, by far, the system on which I spend the majority of my non-PC gaming time. I've been there since before the first day of its release, in other words."

"I still don't know what the front buttons do."

[Monkeycan8]

That's Polygon for you.. Wouldn't expect anything less.

[Nitrowolf2]

I mean in their defense I have hit the eject button thinking the PS4 would turn on XD

But that's only because the majority of the time I use my PlayStation controller to turn it on and even eject games.

I'm pretty sure I've used those buttons like 3 - 5x since I've owned the PlayStation at launch

I think the reason why people get confused which does which is because the buttons are lined up vertically. If you do think about it most consoles have the power button on the same horizontal plane with one being right next to the disk drive and the other power being somewhere either on the left or far right

[XisThatKid]

My daughter is literally the same age as PS4 to the day. Even she knows what button does what on my black PS4 and her mother's white PS4. Turns her PS3 on just fine as well to watch her cartoons
This is coming from a site that had been (still?) Funded by MS

[Chevalier]

To be fair if there is a disc in the system and you hit eject it will on the system.

[meche334]

i've known were the power button was since the first day. lol. but the first day. i was clueless as hell lol

[Dee_91]

I mean honestly I still hit the wrong button on occasion too. But thats because i've been using the controller to turn on/off and eject most of the time.

[SonyStyled]

The power button is attached to the power strip/light bar on top of the console. Makes perfect sense as to what button would power it on. I don't think it's confusing people, I think people just aren't thinking. Yes, the buttons look the same, but come on!

[nX]

We knew it for years but now we have proof - the Polygon editors are too stupid to use a PS4.

[UnHoly_One]

I have had a PS4 since launch day and until I saw that image in the article I had absolutely no idea that there was a power button symbol and an eject symbol on those two buttons.

I have to look when I get home later because I honestly don't remember ever seeing an icon labeling either button.

[MRMagoo123]

the guy must be absolutely perplexed using a toaster or microwave.

[SolidStoner]

It gets even funnier... Toaster or microwave has about 2 to 6 buttons..

This guy must be lost when he uses washing machine or a car... poor dude! Must be difficult for him to live outside the wood with all these buttons around him...

PS.. I like wood's and nature BTW, and respect those who survive in the wild.. but its best to know something from both worlds! ;)

[Gazondaily]

* insert generic Polygon hate comment

[DragonDDark]

Who makes articles about how you turn off and turn on a system? It's pretty hard to watch too.

[Chivas11]

Watch out everyone, here comes Septic to the rescue

[2v1]

Go back in the cave

[annoyedgamer]

Even if we disregard this piece, Polygon is a terrible site.

[Eonjay]

Its really not that difficult. Do you really want someone who can't figure out how to turn on a system with two buttons tell you how good a game is. Are they even qualified? People aren't that stupid in general. We don't need to dumb ourselves down this much.

[Dee_91]

you mean
* insert generic polygon much deserved hate comment

[hardcorehenry]

Polygon DARE speak ill of Playstation4?!?! Have at thee!

[Kemo_Spear]

* insert generic Septic hate comment

[rainslacker]

Polygon...a site which uses people's apparent inability to discern two buttons as a reason to say the PS4 is poorly designed, despite admitting the whole thing is a joke?

Yeah, I can see why we shouldn't dislike polygon.

This is the 2nd article in 3 days which shows some people at polygon either can't play games, or has a headline which can't figure out two buttons. I'd say they have monkeys working over there, but monkeys know how to use buttons and learn what buttons do what. Monkeys can even play video games, as well as bring me icy cold beverages.

[gangsta_red]

Lighten up people.

You all must be rich the way you all shit diamonds.

[hardcorehenry]

.....

Its not something I'm proud of, and I probably dont use my PS4 1/10th as much as some of you... but I do this all the damn time. Just when I think ill remember the orientation, I forget it again.

Lucky for my my BRDVD drive has long since broken down =D

actually glad to read this. Somewhat validating.

[Artemidorus]

I do it all the time

[rainslacker]

I guess we've solved the mystery of who played that Doom video.

Anyhow, apparently this article was meant as a joke, but kind of crappy he used this apparent joke to say that the PS4 was not designed well. While the buttons don't stand out, it's not hard to figure out where they are when first getting the system, and I'd imagine the vast majority of gamers have enough muscle memory to be able to push the proper button when necessary. They're separated by 2 distinct parts of the console(top and bottom) and reside right where the two left and right sections divide. If people really can't figure it out, there is a users manual, and it's in the quick start guide that comes with the system. In addition, it's not even necessary to use the buttons, as you can eject from the OS, or turn it on and off from the controller.

The Wii's power and eject button were just as close to one another, and not separated by any distinct markings on the system, and grandmothers had no problem figuring out how to work it. Only difference was there was a power logo on the power button, which would be hard to see when residing in an entertainment cabinet, or not at eye level. Wii U has two small round buttons impeded in the plastic as well, and people seem to get by just fine. Xbox one's eject button is tiny, and the power button you wouldn't even know is there if you didn't know where it was, yet apparently people can turn it on and eject the discs. Is it poorly designed as well Polygon?

I have on occasion hit both buttons, but that's usually when I'm not paying attention. I had the same problem on the PS2. Anyhow, the system doesn't turn off just by tapping the power button like it will eject a disc if you would just tap the eject button, so it's hardly that big of a deal.

[nitus10]

I asked my wife who never uses the PS4 about which button on the PS4 would turn it on and she immediately answered "top" which for Polygon edification is correct.

[Segata]

Eh I sometimes make the same mistake since I never use the power button.

[Nyxus]

lol...

[sAVAge_bEaST]

He also gets confused with Left Right, and Up Down.

This explains their DOOM play through.

[nitus10]

You do know that in some games you can set "inverted axis" where movement of your analogue sticks actually move your avatar in the opposite direction of what would be called "standard axis".

Easy to make a mistake but pretty easy to fix. All you need to do is go to the setup menu and change it to your play style.

"What setup menu" - Said the Polygon staff member. 😉

Actually back on topic. For the PS4 the power button is top and eject button is bottom although to be honest I predominately use my controller.

[phoenix_dusk]

This journalist should just go full digital if he can't even remember this basic things like this. #TeamGame+Options=Eject anyway. Lol

[Nyxus]

You don't even need to use those buttons anyway. You can eject games from the menu and turn on the PS4 using your controller.

[gangsta_red]

I have to admit, the first few times I was pressing the wrong button to power on and eject.

The icons are beyond tiny on the console.

[bouzebbal]

i agree, but for me the annoying thing is that i need to hold the power button around 10s to turn it off.
They could have reduced this time like on the first PS3

[Gamesgbkiller]

Yeah, but it is helpful when someone want to ruin you gaming session.

[Gamist2dot0]

You can power off the machine completely or on standby with the controller.

[Kingthrash360]

Better than a commercial saying "xbox off", shutting down your xbox

[Lighter9]

15 people know for a fact that you were hitting the right buttons all along. Nvm about tiny buttons. Lol

[gangsta_red]

I guess they were there to witness the struggle!

[garos82]

yes first few times is fine, but you have to remember that these guys are paid to write about gaming, they are game "journalists" yet this simple console layout is too confusing for their simple minds

[gangsta_red]

They're journalists not astro-physicists, they are also human and make mistakes.

I think some of you guys are taking this a little to serious and putting way too much weight on "journalists".

[MRMagoo123]

you have to be an physicist to use the ps4 huh gangsta red 😂 God help you when you have to use a TV remote. how do you even play your Xbox with a controller with so many buttons .....how many degrees do you need in science to work out that.

people that can't remember that the bottom button is eject need to have scientific tests done on them and studies to find out how they manage to function in every day life.

[gangsta_red]

@Magoo

So let me guess, you live your life without making the simplest mistakes right? Like pulling instead of pushing on door, going to the local store and forgetting which aisle the coco puffs are on, forgetting which side your gas tank is on...things like that Magoo.

[DragonDDark]

Gaming Journalists 2016

I think that we can put this article on the top 5 in 2016, guys!!!

[Thatguy-310]

How? Lol bottom button= eject, top button =power on. Not that difficult. If you're having problems after so long then it's a personal problem

[RevXM]

I have pushed the wrong one a few times. because I dont use the buttons that much it doesnt sink in which is which.
And part of the reason why is that the icons are tiny and hard to see in under the tv in the dark and the buttons dont light up so I can tell what they are, so I dont want to mess whith them. I use the controller unless Im already next to the system and care to inch down on my knees and squint at the buttons and try make out what they are lol.

it is not a big problem, but they could do something about it with the next redesign.

[Thatguy-310]

I understand it for the first few times when you're getting used to it but it's something that shouldn't be hard to pick up. I can do it with my eyes close simply because I know where the buttons are located plus they're touch sensitive. The problem I have with it is that at times when I move my console when it's off I accidentally hit the sensitive buttons which turns it on. The Uncharted ps4 came with physical buttons which I pretty much prefer

[RevXM]

Well, I dont use the buttons much, its not like I turn on my playstation everyday by pressing the powerbutton.
I can probably count the times I have on my hands. As I usually use the controller.

Ive turned it on by moving it a couple times too... actually Im moving it more than I use the buttons to turn the thing on. I move the system to clean up dust like once a week and Ive used the powerbutton maybe 7 times, so forgive me if I havent learned it by now, Im to lazy to bother when I can just use the controller next to me instead of bowing down on my knees and squint at my console to try tell them apart. Lmao, chill guys. :)

[Cryptcuzz]

In your case, wouldn't it be so simple as to know where your PS4 is located at and simply run your hands along the top of the PS4 to turn on/off? Not that hard really.

If every day people can maneuver their mobile phones in the dark and locate the appropriate button to turn on their screen, surely it is not hard to do with a bigger device with two touch sensitive buttons to remember which does which, -literally the first time.

[Rimeskeem]

You could do everything through the controller....

[I_am_Batman]

^This.

I've probably used those buttons 3-4 times in 2 years.

[MasterCornholio]

Well looks like we have to simplify consoles even further.

[MRMagoo123]

He would still have a hard time if all you had to do was smash your face into the console.

edit: awwww how sweet I have a fan called septic ...first he wanted me to fall in love with him and now he's following me around kinda creepy but any who, like I said I don't lean that way sorry buddy there are plenty other men in the sea for you, good luck with that tho, maybe hit up gangsta red you guys seem to be a perfect match.

[Gazondaily]

So thats how you've been turning on your PS4 then 😂

[Eonjay]

I think he is just joking you...

[kneon]

The one button console. Press X to win

[deafdani]

No, you press X to pay respects.

[rainslacker]

The Wii was meant for people like this. Imagine the struggles he has with turning on his TV, or playing a game.

Luckily for Polygon, they know how to press all the right buttons to get clicks.

[Heyxyz]

I haven't touched those buttons in years...

I turn my PS4 on by pressing the PS button,
and I eject discs pressing Options and Eject disc.

[Gamist2dot0]

Maybe he's from the 70s where, you know, you have to get up and turn things on and off. :P

[Intentions]

i only use the controller...

[DivineAssault]

I never use them but still know which is which

[rainslacker]

I use the eject button sometimes when putting in a new game. Pressing it turns the system on as well, ejects the disc already in the system, put the new one in, go play my game. Figured it out within a minute of taking the system out of the box. Now, if I could just figure out how to turn on my TV or flush the toilet(stupid button seems stuck and won't do anything).

[KentBenMei]

Same here. What's worse is the version without buttons, I just ape my and across it until it does shit.

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

It's really hard to tell the difference between up and down.

[Kiwi66]

Quick someone draw him a picture on how it works

[Phoenix76]

Must be a slow day over at polygon for a trash piece of an article like this. More to the point, why was this even approved in the first place?

[kraenk12]

Polygon can't play simple shooters. Polygon can't eject discs. What else is new?!

[Bathyj]

Yeah those button suck, no dispute. Luckily I have one if these to help me out.

http://img2.iwascoding.com/...

[MRMagoo123]

luckily for me I was blessed with eyes so I don't find it too hard distinguishing between the top button and bottom button even with the console standing on its side lol.

Def not a dig at you of course I'm just saying ...its really not hard at all pressing the bottom button to eject a disc and I don't even use the buttons often.

[Bathyj]

That's assuming you know the eject button IS the bottom one. I use the buttons a couple times a year if that. I can't be expected to remember that, I'm still trying to remember all the steps in my home wine making case. Plus my room has very romantic lighting.

[MRMagoo123]

romantic lighting and a bottle of chloroform with a rag in the bedside cabinet right 😂

edit: I'm Derren brown

[Bathyj]

Ok that's spooky. How are you doing that?

[C-H-E-F]

Some people are just idiots. hmph.

[Skate-AK]

I always thought it was pretty apparent. I turn mine on by the button all the time.

[Tallpine]

Just replace "People" with "Polygon" and the headline is alot more accurate and funny.

[rainslacker]

Maybe they're trying to rebrand themselves as a satire site. After the Doom video, and now this....would make a lot more sense, because hard to believe they would get by by being this inept for so many years.

Bet these are the reason why we get asked if our devices are plugged in when we call technical support.

[darren_poolies]

Seriously, how? It's not hard to remember at all. Power top, eject bottom. Or if you really find it hard, light bar = power, other one = eject.

[antikbaka]

to tell the truth, it required me some time to find out how to start ps4 :3

[Dario_DC]

Low IQ people usually confuse up and down. Bunch of morons...

[DrumBeat]

I've maybe used the actual console buttons twice. I just use the controller.

[kainslayer]

USE THE CONTROLLER FFS!!!

[Theparanerds]

For those that didn't read the article and are going crazy over this:

"IS THIS A JOKE?
It is, partially. People clearly like to poke fun at this issue and their own ongoing confusion, while others think the idea anyone would be confused by the choice of two buttons is a bit ... hard to believe."

relax people

[rainslacker]

Yes, it's a joke, but that didn't stop them from using it to say that the PS4 was poorly designed.

[quiddd]

Better not get your drivers license then

[pkb79]

slow news day

[Kal-V3]

#FuckPolygon

[Arrow2283]

I remember my first time owning a system ( Sarcastic)

[MoreRPG]

I didn't knew how to turn my ps4 on the first time i used it.

[yomfweeee]

It has got me a few times because I rarely use them.

[kevnb]

I was slightly confused for about 30 seconds at first.

[Rai]

Apparently its rocket science to some people...how hard is it to remember up is power, down is eject.

or be like my friend and just use the controller..

[jcnba28]

It has happened to me quite a few times.

[corroios]

Where do i press to eject polygon from n4g?????? Need help

[iNFAMOUZ1]

the ps4's design was dumb as hell, i spent like 10 minutes trying to figure out how to turn it on when i first used it, and whats up with that horizontal slant design, lame as f, xbox one's design is lame too, , why cant consoles look futuristic for once instead of these basic shapes

[deafdani]

I almost always use the controller to turn the console on / off, and eject the discs.

Because of that, on the extremely rare occasion I decide to press the touch buttons on the console itself, I always take a wild guess because I don't really know which one is the power button and which one is the eject button. I have no muscle memory for that (again, because I always do it with the controller) and the icons are so tiny, they're practically invisible.

[agame914]

Seems pretty straight forward to me

[porkChop]

Whether or not some people are confused by the buttons, why does this even warrant a story?

[Cohagen420]

Never go full retard guys..

[BossBattle]

This article is so true. I don't even mess with the buttons on the PS4. I just use the controller. Sony could have done better with that.

[Duke19]

Completely agree. Of course everyone here downvotes anything that doesn't praise sony, but I dislike the buttons on the PS4. They look cool, but aren't very usable. I almost exclusively use the PS button on the controller now for turning on and turning off the system.

[opinionated]

They don't confuse people. They confuse Ben Kuchera. He's not people, he's a moron.

[Dixiedevil]

Is this the guy that was playing Doom?

[PizzaSteve]

Eject button also turns on PS4 lol so it don't matter. Push disc back in.

[BigGamersSmallTalk]

I'm constantly turning the power off instead of ejecting. I honestly have no idea which is which. And to point out another odd thing, nobody complained this much when Gamespot said they couldn't find "Settings" on the Xbox One, and all you had to do was say "Xbox go to settings" or click the start button and go down to settings...

[rainslacker]

Finding a menu buried within an OS is different than being able to figure out two buttons on the face of the console, and having it be a long term problem. Sure, maybe the first time sees the console and uses it, I can see why it might cause them pause, but in my experience, the human mind is capable of remembering the orientation and placement of two buttons and their purpose. Maybe it's just me, but I tend to associate things to memory after doing them a couple times, and it's not really that hard to figure out. It's in the quick start guide that comes with the system, and detailed more in the manual for those that need a bit of instruction.

That being said, despite having going there often, I still have trouble finding some of the different settings options on the PS4, because it's a bit more complex.

That being said, apparently these are gamers we are talking about. People who learn complex button routines that they can do without thinking or looking at the controller. And we're supposed to believe people have problems remembering a couple buttons? Even if they don't use them that often, it's not overly complex.

[NotanotherReboot]

which member of BGST is this?

[Realms]

OH the stupidity UP power Down eject or just use the controller to power the system and eject if that's to complicated.LOL

[The7Reaper]

They are confusing.......... if you're mentally challenged

[PrimeGrime]

To call the system horribly designed because frankly, you're being stupid about it, that is just ridiculous. I'm not exaggerating either, but if my little sister can memorize two buttons, I really have to wonder about these full grown individuals who are still having trouble with such a simple concept. How they hell do they even play games, if they can't remember the placement of two buttons...?

I'm astonished at how many people retweeted that also, I guess these people struggle every day to know which is their left and right hand, unless they label them.

I could maybe make an exception for people who rarely use their gaming consoles, but outside of that, it shouldn't even be an issue if you used the system for 3 god damn years...

[DafunkyRebel]

use the PS button, there problem solved

[rainslacker]

That's one too many buttons to learn./s

[Sir_Simba]

Ohh yhhhhh
the ps4 has buttons. I never touch those things.

[PrimeGrime]

Omg.. I had to comment again, just read the comment section about this on Polygon... I knew most of humanity was pretty stupid, but wow... People never cease to amaze with their level of ignorance.

The first comment is someone complaining how they had to use a manual in order to turn the PS4 on, I can't even... Another complaining he had the PS4 for months before he figured out which buttons did what, two fucking buttons on the thing, and it takes you months to figure out which one turns it on... What?

Is this the twilight zone? Cause this is blowing my mind right now that this is so hard for people to figure out. This can't be real, that this many people are truly this dumb. How is society functioning right now? Talk about depressing.

[Chevalier]

My 4 year old nephew who doesn't play games at all and only watches netflix on my PS4 knows the difference. This is absolutely idiotic. Next we'll hear how Polygon sync their controllers by slamming it against the wall like apes. Sorry I shouldn't have insulted the apes intelligence.....

[Ninver]

If you don't know the difference of something so simple then you probably shouldn't be gaming smh

[ITPython]

Lol, you know I have to admit I have hit the wrong button more than a few times. One reason is I rarely use the front buttons, and back when I played destiny I went over a year without ever ejecting the disk and always turned the console on/off with my controller.

[andibandit]

I rarely ever touch the buttons on the my PS4, most my games being digital, still have to look closely when I have to eject a disc.

[garos82]

How is this morally inept and corrupt POS of a website still allowed on N4G?

Seriously why?

[CrimsonWing69]

Man what does Polygon do? Like I swear they do something full retard in the office and get into this discussion about how it's somebody else's fault and not theirs and then write an article about it. Kind of like how they couldn't review Starfox because they couldn't play it... I mean what kind of site is this!? Breaking news people are struggling to differentiate eject and power buttons on the PS4. Who exactly is having trouble? I've never heard of this ever being an issue. Maybe it's them and this is how they make themselves comfortable with their cognitive skill deficiencies.

[raptorjacob]

I recently hit the eject button when I meant to hit the power button. It was an uneventful time in my life as I cleared up my mistake by sliding the disc back in and hitting the power button. In my defense I had just put my ps4 on a vertical stand.

[esmittystud101]

I couldn't tell you which is which and I've had ps4 for a while now.

[garrettbobbyferguson]

Polygon/Kotaku and all those people are idiots.

[MagicBeanz]

I'm sorry but If you dont know the difference between the two front buttons you are a grade A idiot plain and simple. The fact this person admits to this is either really funny or really sad I'm having trouble telling which. I know what they do but honestly I dont think I've ever even touched either button in two years, I go options button, remove disc.

[Antifan]

You still don't know what the front buttons do? Typical non-gamers at polygon

[MasterD919]

Don't know what the product you own does? What are you an 80 year-old?

[warriors_13]

the labels are so damn small and barely visible. every time I try to eject a disc my ps4 goes into rest mode unless I put my face up to the console

[nub_cakes101]

Slow news day?

[aquaticDonut]

Honestly, since 99% of my games are digital and I turn it on using the controller, I would probably mess it up too, since I havent touched them since shortly after getting the system.

[jorellpogi]

There are times that I forgot which button is the power. I never tried ejecting the disk via controller. LOL

[Unholy_Witchcraft]

You got to be shitting me

[joab777]

I would like to meet the people that are still confused by this. Seriously. I think the moment I first plugged mine in on launch night, I knew which was which, simply by assuming.Since that miraculous night, I've never once had an issue.

And if I am able to meet one of these poor confused souls, I will also in addition to showing them a trick to remember, also show them how to hold a controller, and how to plug in the USB cable. If I am feeling generous, I may even show them how to start one of the many games they most likely have...ya know, feeling bad that they've been so perplexed for so long

[Potassium]

Not gonna lie, it took me a good few minutes to figure out how to turn it on when I first got it lol

[Germany7]

Polygon is garbage and Ben Kuchera is an idiot.

[redaxis]

That explains why they are so bad at playing Doom.

[tweet75]

I can honestly say my ps4 is the first console ive never pushed the power button on the console or the eject button. Ive only controlled the power through the controller and only played digital games. I have never put any disc in my ps4 and ive had it 2 years and play it every day.

[Rob_Ko]

I'm one of those people, need to check everytime (for my defense most of my games are digital )