CFW won't boot

CFW Won't Boot

You launch your custom firmware exploit but the PSP either freezes on a blank screen, kicks you back to the official firmware, or simply never shows the CFW version string in the system menu.

Common Causes

• Mismatched firmware version. Most CFW packages expect a specific official firmware, usually 6.61. Running an installer meant for a different version fails silently.
• Missing or wrong-location files. The exploit folder may have been copied to the wrong path on the Memory Stick, or extracted with a broken folder structure.
• Old loader left behind. A previous, outdated CFW or signed package can conflict with the new one.

Fixes

1. Confirm your official firmware reads 6.61 under System Settings before installing.
2. Re-extract the CFW archive and copy the PSP and SEPLUGINS folders to the root of the Memory Stick, preserving structure.
3. Delete any leftover installer or save-game exploit data, then re-run the exploit fresh.
4. If using a permanent installer like Infinity, verify it completed without errors; a failed install leaves no bootable CFW.

If boot still fails, fully power off, remove the battery for ten seconds, reinsert, and retry the exploit from the game or save that triggers it.