Sony Withdraws PS3 2.4 Firmware Update

July 3, 2008 By Geoff Duncan

Just two days after releasing its v2.4 firmware for the PlayStation 3, Sony has yanked the update on reports its rendering consoles inoperable.

Just two days after Sony released version 2.4 firmware for its PlayStation 3 gaming console, the company has withdrawn the update following numerous reports the update was “bricking” PS3 consoles—rendering them inoperable and unusable. Customers would report installing the version 2.4 firmware.

Sony describes the problem as impact as “limited” and reports only receiving a low volume of calls about the problem, the company says it has temporarily pulled the update and is working to identify and resolve the problem. “We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up,” wrote Sony’s Director of Corporate Communications and Social Media Patrick Seybold in the company’s PlayStation Blog.

Sony hasn’t yet offered a solution for PS3 owners whose consoles have been rendered unusable by the update. Early PS3 buyers may be out of luck, since their machines are now out of warranty. It has also offered no timeline when a safe version of the 2.4 update might be available.

Many PS3 users were able to install the v2.4 update with no apparent problems.

The incident is a black mark for Sony, which has spent a fair bit of effort hyping new features in the version 2.4 update as it tries to ratchet up pressure on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. The gaffe also comes just after Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots hit retailers: the much-anticipated title has the potential to be be first blockbuster video game exclusive to the PS3, which may provide Sony a sales boost.

Showing 6 comments

Bridge 21C at 10:19am 19th July 2008 I installed it and now my games freeze all the time and half the time dont even boot up. Even blu ray movies dont work on mine. it sucks. I hope they fix it fast, especially since my warranty is up.
Darren at 12:12am 8th July 2008 If Sony's firmware has caused the problem then they should admit it like Microsoft have done with their Red Ring Of Death issues with X-box 360 and offer to repair any damaged consoles. Although Sony will probably come up with the usual crap that by downloading it you clicked "Agree" on the disclaimer which probably read about Sony not being liable for any damage to your console (although most people probably wont have read that far into the disclaimer if at all).
captsplatter at 2:20pm 7th July 2008 I downloaded it and I do experience problems.
jimmy at 9:53pm 3rd July 2008 If the firmware causes the problem sony should fix it peroid........
Kevin at 12:02pm 3rd July 2008 When Sony releases new updates like this to improve the features and overall entertainment value of its products, they should issue an extended warranty, if only just for 30 days. It seems only fair, since they're pretty much guaranteeing that the firmware will work. It's released by Sony for the Sony Playstation 3... they shouldn't be offering up beta firmware updates.
James at 11:13am 3rd July 2008 I have it installed and have no problems with it.