PS5 overheating: causes and solutions

The PlayStation 5 is a powerful console, but this power generates a lot of heat. When the cooling system can't keep up, problems begin: noisy fan, slowdowns, or even shutdowns mid-game. Here is a complete guide to understanding the causes of overheating and how to fix them.

How to tell if your PS5 is overheating?

Several symptoms should raise the alarm. The most obvious is the warning message displayed on screen: "Your PS5 is too hot". But other signs often precede this warning.

• The fan runs at full speed constantly, producing a jet engine noise

• Framerate drops or in-game slowdowns (thermal throttling)

• The console shuts down abruptly without prior error message

• The outer casing is burning hot to the touch, especially at the back

• Graphical artefacts appear on screen (coloured dots, lines)

Cause #1: Dust accumulation

This is the most common cause, and fortunately the simplest to fix. The PS5 draws in air to cool its internal components. Over time, dust builds up on the ventilation grilles, heatsink fins and the fan itself.

This layer of dust acts as thermal insulation: hot air can no longer escape properly, and the internal temperature rises. After just a few months of use in a living room, the amount of accumulated dust can be impressive.

DIY solution

Sony designed the PS5 with accessible dust traps by removing the side panels. Here's what to do: completely turn off the console and unplug it. Carefully remove the white panel by sliding it. Use a low-power vacuum or compressed air can to clean the grilles and visible openings. Replace the panel.

Repeat this every 3 to 6 months depending on your environment. If you have pets, hair accumulates even faster.

Cause #2: Degraded thermal paste

Between your PS5's processor (APU) and the copper heatsink is a thin layer of thermal paste. Its role is to ensure optimal heat transfer between the two surfaces. Over time and heating cycles, this paste dries out and loses effectiveness.

On a PS5 over two years old used regularly, the original thermal paste can be significantly degraded. The processor then struggles to dissipate its heat, even if the fan is running at full speed.

Solution