PS5 Overheating fix - the Sony console explained

The PS5 is built with a significant focus on cooling, but there are still times when you need a PS5 overheating fix.

If you find your console getting hot - which, let's be honest can happen when you're immersed in an enormous game like Elden Ring or Horizon: Forbidden West - then you are going to want to cool it down.

Although it isn't as bad as a frozen PS5, an overheating console can risk slowing down your system, or in extreme cases, damaging your console. So it's important, before it gets to that stage, to try and take steps to mitigate any overheating issues, and make sure you don't wreck your PS5.

Let's take a look at the PS5 overheating fix., and any warning signs you need to take note of.

What To Do If Your PS5 Is Overheating

We'll cover this in two parts: we'll start by looking at ways to try to prevent overheating in the first place. Then, if that ship has sailed, we'll see what you can do to cool things down. Generally, overheating will be caused by one of two things: poor ventilation, or intense console use.

How To Prevent PS5 Overheating

There are a few general principles to prevent the PS5 from overheating in the first place:

• Make sure all the air vents on the sides and back of the console have at least 10cm of free space around them. Ensure none of them is blocked or obstructed.

• Don't place the console in any narrow or cramped spaces.
• Regularly check your PS5 to see if it needs cleaning, to remove any dust that might have built up.
• Don't place your PS5 directly onto a carpet, or a rug with long fibres. These can block the air vents and may contribute to a build-up of dust and fibres in the cooling system.

How To Fix PS5 Overheating

If you find your console is showing signs of overheating, then many of the principles we outlined above still apply:

• Make sure the vents are not blocked.
• Site your console in a spot that gives it plenty of room.
• Avoid placing it directly on a rug or carpet.
• Check for any signs of dust build-up or blockages.
• Gently vacuum the vents to help clear any debris or dust that may have accumulated.

If you find that despite doing all this, your console is still getting hot, then we'd recommend contacting Sony Customer Support for further advice. If your console is still within its warranty, they may be able to repair or replace it for free.

What Are The Warning Signs?

Happily, you should get some warnings that your PS5 is overheating long before it does any lasting damage. And you will have the opportunity to take preventative measures. The main signs to look out for are as follows:

First and foremost, if you see a message on your console that says, "Your PS5 is too hot. Turn off your PS5, and wait until the temperature goes down" don't ignore it. That's the clearest indicator that something is up with your PS5. In extreme cases, the console may even shut itself down. If this happens, it can indicate a serious issue.

Occasionally, you may hear your fan making an extremely loud noise. While this is fairly normal if the fan is working faster on a temporary basis, if you find this is becoming constant background noise, it suggests the fan is working really hard to try and keep your PS5 cool.

If you start experiencing performance issues, this can indicate a problem with overheating. This may be things like slow loading times, frame drops, screen freezes, audio desyncs, or graphical glitches - notably black or white dots, and purple, green or black screens.

And finally, another obvious one, is if the console feels hot to the touch. While it's reasonable to expect a bit of warmth if you've had a long session on a graphically demanding game, there's a big difference between a warm console and a hot one.

• Read More: PS5 Slow Download Speed: Why Are My PS5 Downloads So Slow, And How To Speed Up PS5 Updates

Is The PS5 Overheating Dangerous?

With the PS5 being filled with powerful components, it is always going to generate heat. According to heat tests conducted by Gamers Nexus, the PS5 typically runs at somewhere between 65-75 degrees celsius. And the PS5 is generally equipped to deal with this.

But they also noted that the PS5 RAM can reach as high as 92 degrees Celsius, almost the boiling point of water. And this is where things get a little messier. Some electrical components can cope with a threshold of up to 105 degrees Celsius. So at 92 degrees, we're getting close.

And there's also the risk of other components that are less heat resistant getting damaged. So ideally, this is a scenario best avoided.

• Read More: PS5 Primary Account: How To Set PS5 As Primary Console

Conclusion

Follow the steps we outlined above to hopefully prevent overheating from becoming a major issue for your PS5. Ideally, you'll take enough preventative measures from the console overheating at all. But if you've already had trouble with controlling the temperature, the suggestions we outlined earlier will help to cool things down.