- Reset the console. This will clear any data and restore it to its factory settings.
- Clean the console. This will remove any built-in software and make it ready for repair or replacement.
- Check the power cord and outlet. If they’re not working properly, this could be a sign that your PS5 is in need of repair or replacement.
Symptoms of an Overheating PS5
Some PS5s may develop faults, even if you don’t follow these tips. If your console is still under warranty and none of the tips provided below fix the issue, then we strongly recommend you contact Sony for a free repair or replacement.
If you don’t have a PS5 warranty, we do not recommend opening up the system to do the maintenance yourself. Instead, take it to a certified third-party technician for assessment.
It is important to note that removing the PS5 outer covers or opening the SSD expansion bay does not constitute opening the system since both of these actions are specifically meant for users to do.
- The PS5 may be overloading and displaying errors.
- The PS5 may not be able to start up at all.
- The PS5 may not be responding to any of its buttons or sensors.
- The PS5 may have a green light that indicates it is overheating, but it will not turn off or power down.
Your PlayStation 5 is too hot.
It is important to note that symptoms such as visual glitches can also be traced to faulty memory or to heat-related issues with parts that are not user-serviceable. So if such problems persist after following our tips, get a professional assessment of your system.
1. Check That the PS5 Fan Is Spinning
The PlayStation 5 is an extremely quiet console, so you may not know when your fan (there’s just a single huge one) has stopped spinning. Without the cooling fan pushing air through the system, your PS5 will quickly shut down as it hits its failsafe temperature.
If your fans are still running, check to see if they’re making a noise. If not, you can try turning off your console’s power and/or moving the vents. If that doesn’t work, then your fans may need to be replaced.
If your fan seems to be not working, it’s time to get a warranty repair or have it replaced by a pro.
2. Remove the Covers and Vacuum the Ports
The PS5 has a built-in dustbin that you can use to vacuum out collected dust.
Remove the side covers and vacuum the ports indicated in the official Sony video teardown.
If the issue is not resolved, you may need to take the system to a mechanic.
Removing a fan from a computer is a simple process if you have the right tools. Just disconnect the power cable and remove the screws to remove the fan.
3. Check Your Ventilation Space
The PlayStation 5 is not a sealed system; it moves hot air out of the system and replaces it with cool air. This can’t happen if there isn’t proper ventilation around the console, and it can also be an issue if you place the console in a poorly ventilated enclosed space. Make sure there’s enough distance from the wall surface or the sides of your media cabinet. ..
Make sure that the PS5 is able to move air and have enough vents to allow it to do so. Additionally, make sure you use the stand that comes with the PS5!
The stand on the Xbox One S allows for enough space between the console and the surface it’s on to let air flow.
4. Put Your PS5 on the Right Surface
Don’t run your console on hard surfaces such as a bed or carpet. This can block vents and cause heat buildup. Not only that, there’s a lot of dust, pet hair, and dirt on average carpets, even if it looks clean. All of that will get sucked into the system and cause issues.
Place your PlayStation 5 on a hard surface to keep it cool.
5. Control Your Room Temperature
In order to keep your PlayStation 5 cool, you’ll need to use water cooling or exotic refrigeration. If you live in a hot climate and the heat and humidity in the room your PS5 lives in are high, it might be enough to push it over the edge.
In this case, the heat may only present after extended amounts of play as the system’s temperature slowly rises. The only answer here is to lower the room’s temperature by using an air conditioner, opening windows, or turning on a fan.
6. Expansion SSD Overheating Issues
If you want to increase the storage capacity of your PlayStation 5, you can install a standard M.2 SSD in the special expansion slot. ..
The Sony PlayStation 4 is a powerful and sleek drive that conforms to Sony’s requirements regarding speed and physical size. It also works when you slot it in.
To ensure your SSD has a heatsink attached, you will need to do this yourself. Simply buy a heatsink of the correct size, peel it off a stick, and then stick it on the memory chips of the drive. However, if you don’t do this, the drive will still work and you may not notice any issues at first.
If your M.2 drive experiences high temperatures, it may slow down to compensate for the temperature. This could result in stuttery asset streaming or long loading times in your game. So we strongly advise that you install a heatsink on any M.2 drive you install in the expansion slot of the console.
What About Aftermarket Coolers?
Do you have a PS5? If so, you may be interested in using aftermarket cooling systems to improve cooling and reduce fan noise.
We don’t recommend that any PS5 owner purchase a cooler like these. Firstly, a properly working PS5 makes virtually no noise in the first place. Secondly, if your PS5 can’t maintain a safe operating temperature without a bolt-on cooler, it requires cleaning and perhaps even repair. On balance, the cooling claims of these products usually turn out to be a lot of hot air!
Opening the PS5 to Clean It: Should You Do It?
You are within your rights to open your PlayStation 5 console and clean it thoroughly. Although the PS5 is designed to make the removal of dust buildup easy without opening the console, you will find guides online where the console is taken apart for cleaning. ..
If you’re not experienced with electronic components, it’s best to stay away from any guides that recommend exposing the motherboard. If you do something dangerous like replace the liquid metal cooling substance between the PS5’s main chips and the heatsink, it could potentially damage your components.
The Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox 360 are all quiet systems. Still, they need exceptional airflow to achieve it while keeping temperatures under control. Clean them often so that disassembly is never necessary and give them room to breathe, and hopefully, you’ll never run into overheating problems again.