How to prevent and fix PS5 overheating issues

Your PS5 is too hot. Turn off your PS5, and wait until the temperature goes down. Keep on reading this guide to learn more about this alert.

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If you google “PS5 is too hot” and select Images, you’ll see plenty of pictures depicting a PS5 console in an enclosed box with the following error message on the screen: “Your PS5 is too hot. Turn off your PS5, and wait the temperature goes down“.

The PS5 overheating image is real and many Internet users confirmed it was taken at BestBuy. But before jumping to conclusions, let’s consider the whole context for a moment.

1. First, that console had been running continuously in a enclosed box when the picture was taken.
2. There’s no room to push hot air out in a tight glass box, so the console overheated as expected.
3. Under intense usage with no ventilation, any electronic device will get hot. Overheating is inevitable.

And now let’s see what you can do to prevent and troubleshoot PS5 overheating problems.

How do I stop my PS5 from overheating?

Ensure the console can push air out

Make sure the console has enough space to push air out, otherwise the system will overheat. It does not matter if you set it vertically or lay it horizontally. The important thing is to place the console in a well ventilated place.

For example, if you keep your console vertical, ensure there’s enough space between the back vents and the wall. Don’t block the fan, make sure it’s unobstructed.

It goes without saying that you should not put your PS5 console in a completely enclosed area such as a cabinet.

As Sony explains, to maintain good ventilation:

• “Place the console at least 10 cm (4 in) away from a wall surface.
• Do not place on a carpet or rug with long fibers.
• Do not place in a narrow or cramped space.
• Do not cover with cloth.
• Do not allow dust to build up on the vents. Use a cleaning tool such as a vacuum cleaner to remove dust buildup.”

Place the console on a wooden or stone platform

Yes, we know, the temptation to put your PS5 console on the carpet or even the couch is big. But that’s not a good idea. Over time, the fan can pull in specks of dust and even tiny pieces of fabric if the carpet or rug has long fibers. And if the fan gets clogged up with dust or lint, it won’t do a good job at keeping your console cool.

Don’t allow dust to build up on the vents. By the way, don’t use a vacuum cleaner to fix the problem. You can do more harm than good using this method. Instead, use a can of compressed air and a microfiber cloth.

On a side note, if you can place the console under a running ceiling fan, that would be great. Your console will stay cool even under intense gaming sessions.

Contact Sony Support

If the overheating alert often pops up on the screen or persists even after you leave the PS5 off overnight, contact Sony Support. Offer as many details as possible to the support agents and follow their instructions.

Check if the console is blowing out hot air. If it’s actually blowing out cool air, this means the hot air remains inside. And that’s a big problem.

What happens if my PS5 overheats?

If your PS5 console gets dangerously hot, you’ll get an alert on the screen. To prevent hardware damage, save your game progress and turn off the console. Wait until the temperature goes down. If you don’t do that, the console will shut itself down shortly after the alert pops on the screen.

Keep in mind that it’s normal for the back of the PS5 to become warm when playing games. This means the fan is doing its job and it’s successfully dissipating heat.

Don’t worry if the fan is quiet. If you put your ear to the console, you should be able to hear the vibration which means the fan is working. The PS5 comes equipped with a big fan which means it can spin slower while keeping your console cool and quiet.

Does PS5 have overheating issues?

Some PS5 owners complained about overheating problems. Prevention is better than cure, so make sure to put the console in a well ventilated area to prevent it from overheating.

However, if the problem persists, maybe the console is defective. Contact Sony support for further help. You may need a replacement.

Learn more about your PS5 console

⇒ Does PS5 need an external cooling fan? 

The built-in cooling system your PS5 console comes equipped with is powerful enough to keep the device cool during intense gaming sessions. If your gaming sessions don’t go beyond the five hour mark, you don’t need a cooling fan. But if you know you’re going to play demanding games for hours on end, you can get an external cooling fan. That should also help you to extend your console’s lifespan.

⇒ How much room does PS5 need for ventilation?

Your PS5 needs to be placed at least 10 cm (4 in) away from the wall for proper ventilation. Make sure the vents remain unobstructed at all times.

⇒ Does PS5 have liquid cooling?

The new PS5 console generation uses liquid metal for cooling. The liquid metal block is placed between the chip and the heatsink.

⇒ Why is liquid metal used in PS5?

Sony decided to use liquid metal to enable the console to dissipate heat much faster compared to the PS4. This allows the PS5 to run cooler and quieter. Liquid metal cooling also reduces the risk of system crashes while running demanding games.

⇒ How long does liquid metal last on PS5?

Sony has plated the PS5’s heatsink in silver to prevent corrosion from liquid metal. There’s also a seal around the liquid metal block preventing it from evaporating and oxidizing. The liquid metal will last at least 5 years on the PS5 without any problems.

After that, you’ll probably get the next-gen console anyway not because the cooling system stopped working but because you want to enjoy the new improvements and features.

While liquid metal usually lasts, on average, two to three years, PS5 owners won’t have to change or refill the liquid metal reserve over time as PC users do.

⇒ What liquid metal does the PS5 use?

Sony has not yet confirmed what type of liquid metal it uses on the PS5. However, the standard liquid metal is actually an alloy of gallium, tin and indium. This alloy is in a liquid form at room temperature.

And now you know.

If you have additional questions about PS5 overheating issues or the cooling system the console uses, let us know in the comments below. We’ll try to answer them as quickly as possible.