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| How To Repair PS4 Overheating | |
|---|---|
| Device | Playstation 4, Playstation 4 Pro, Playstation 4 Slim |
| Affects part(s) | Cooling Fan |
| Needs equipment | Screwdrivers, Prying Tools |
| Difficulty | ◉◉◌◌ Medium |
| Type | Part Replacement"Part Replacement" is not in the list (Soldering, Teardown, Part replacement, Cleaning, Software, BGA, General) of allowed values for the "Repair Guide type" property. |
Problem description
PS4 (all variants – Fat / Slim / Pro) overheats, becomes extremely loud, or shuts down with the message:
“The PS4 is too hot. Turn off the system and wait until it cools down.”
Most common causes:
- Dust-clogged heatsink & vents
- Fan not spinning (failed fan or power rail issue)
- Dry or worn-out thermal paste
- Obstructed airflow due to pet hair, smoke residues, or environmental buildup
- Incorrect reassembly after previous repair
Symptoms
- Loud jet-engine noise before shutdown
- Immediate shutdown after launching a game
- Overheating warning
- No fan spin on boot
- Random frame drops or lag (thermal throttling)
- Hot bottom shell or rear grill
- Fan oscillates or starts/ stops suddenly
Solution
Diagnostic Steps
1. External Inspection
- Check air vents for dust buildup
- Confirm console placement (not inside a closed cabinet)
- Check for pet hair, cigarette tar, debris
2. Boot Test
- Power on the PS4 while watching the fan:
- Spins at boot = Fan OK
- No spin = Electrical or mechanical fan fault
- Clicks or hesitates = Blocked or worn bearings
3. Fan Connector & Rails
Using a multimeter, check FAN connector on the motherboard (varies by model):
- +12V present?
- Yes → Fan likely bad
- No → PSU rail issue, MOSFET, or PWM driver fault
- Resistance test fan pins → infinite or open = failed fan
4. Thermal Paste Check
If PS4 has never been serviced:
- Thermal paste is usually dry
- Dust likely packed inside heatsink fins
5. Heatsink Airflow Check
Common issue: packed dust wall between fan and heatsink.
Repair Steps
1. Disassembly
(Varies by PS4 model)
- Remove top cover
- Remove power supply (PS4 Fat)
- Disconnect fan connector
- Remove motherboard
- Extract entire cooling assembly
2. Cleaning (Critical Step)
Fan Cleaning
- Use compressed air + soft brush
- Spin fan manually to verify smooth rotation
- If grinding noise → Replace fan
Vents & Shell
- Clean rear vents and side inlets thoroughly
- Remove dust mats (large clumps)
Heatsink Cleaning
- Remove old dust “blanket” from heatsink fins
- Flush with air from both directions
3. Thermal Paste Replacement
- Remove old paste from APU and heatsink using isopropyl alcohol
- Apply high-quality thermal paste (Arctic MX-4 / Arctic Silver / Noctua NT-H1)
- Ensure full flat contact with even pressure
4. Reassemble the Cooling System
- Reinstall heatsink securely
- Ensure all screws (especially pressure screws) are tightened in X pattern
- Reconnect fan carefully
- Reassemble the rest of the console
5. Replace Fan (If Dead)
When to replace:
- No spin at boot
- Weak or intermittent spin
- Noise from bearings
- Burnt smell or discoloration
Part requirements:
- Model-specific fan (PS4 Fat, Slim, Pro each use different connectors & blade shapes)
Replace fan → test again.
6. MOSFET / PWM Driver Check (Advanced)
If the fan STILL doesn’t spin after replacement:
Check:
- FAN MOSFET
- PWM controller
- Nearby SMD fuses
- 12V rail from PSU
Replace faulty components as needed.
Verification
After reassembly:
- Boot console → fan should spin immediately
- Run a game for 20–30 minutes
- No overheating message
- Fan ramps gradually, not instantly
- Rear exhaust warm (normal)
- System stable under stress