How to Open and Clean a PlayStation 5

Written By: Carsten Frauenheim

Comments: 22

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 40 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to open up and clean dust and debris out of the fan, grilles, or vents of a PlayStation 5.

If your console is loud, overheating, or underperforming, it may have built-up dust in the cooling fan, heatsink, or main vents.

Note: If your PS5 is overheating, chances are it’s not due to the liquid metal thermal interface on the SoC. If you do need to clean, replace, re-spread, or otherwise service the liquid metal, though, follow this guide.

In the PS5, a blower fan pulls air in from the flared sides, which cools the console, then pushes the air out of the back vents. If your PS5 lives in a TV cabinet with limited airflow, consider opening the door while gaming or moving it out to open air. If your PS5 is on the ground, it may suck in extra dust, dirt, or hair and limit its ability to keep cool.

If you want to clean dust without opening your PS5, follow this guide.

Tools

Step 1

If your PlayStation 5 is in its vertical orientation, flip it upside down so the stand is facing up.
If your PlayStation 5 is in its horizontal orientation, skip to Step 6.
Work on a flat surface to prevent your PlayStation from falling over.
Use a coin or a flathead screwdriver to remove the 26.5 mm-long stand screw.

Step 2

Lift straight up to remove the stand.

Step 3

Insert the screw into the cubby on the bottom of the stand.

Step 4

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingernail to remove the cap from the cubby.
Use your finger to press the cap into the screw hole.

Step 5

Twist the stand counterclockwise to close the cubby.

Step 6

If your PlayStation 5 is in its horizontal orientation, rest it on its face with the charging port facing up.
Lift the stand straight up to remove it.

Do you guys sell the stand

Corey Lewis -

Steps 1 through 6 are just about removing the stand, correct? Storing the screw and all that is just about being neat and tidy?

tofu -

Step 7

Flip the device over so that the USB and ethernet ports are on the left side from your perspective.
Lift up the corner of the faceplate to unclip it from the case.

Step 8

While lifting up the corner, slide the faceplate towards the bottom of the device.
Remove the right faceplate.

I recommend doing both covers at this time, to avoid hassle later. Skip to step 38, then come back here

UnitedShoes -

Step 9

Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the grille and into the gap above the fan.
Lift up with the spudger to pry the grille away from the case.

Step 10

Lift the grille away from the case to remove it.

During reassembling:

There is a little flat pin in each end, they need to go into the console

Janick Carstens -

Step 11

Use a TR8 Torx security driver to remove the four screws securing the fan shroud to the case:
Two 23.3 mm-long screws
One 11.4 mm-long screw
One 31 mm-long screw
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your console.

My ps5 seems to have tiny black caps over each screw. My spudger can’t get them off I see no other way to move forward besides breaking the shroud

Anthony Pouliot -

wrong side, take the cover off the other side

Alan Sears -

The 31 mm-long screw just wont budge! do I turn that one counter-clockwise or clockwise? someone please help!

Chris Love -

counter clockwise to remove

Alan Sears -

I damaged the 23.3mm on the bottom right next to fan connector. Is there any replacements? Can't seem to find any 23.3mm t8 screw anywhere online

forsage.rh -

I used a t8 for all of them and had no problem removing, except for that bottom right screw

forsage.rh -

Is there any replacement screws you can buy for the fan? I slightly damage 23.3mm screw.

Kevin Sarmiento -

My PS5 has TX8 (security Torx bit) screws on my fan shroud and all the case screws. A normal Torx driver won’t work you need the one with the hole in the middle of the bit driver.

Daniel Sutczak -

Why does my ps5 have 3 different screws? 2 are the same then 2 other ones? Why?

GoodContentKing -

Does anyone know the thread pitch of these screws? I just bought a used PS5 and the screws are missing. The fan has been glued in. Can't make this up.....

Steven Brien - 25/04/23

Ci sono viti di ricambio?

Dove posso trovarle?

Ho guardato dappertutto e non se ne trovano

Alessio Zecca -

Sind mit den Massen die dicke oder die Länge gemeint

Zombiehunter -_- -

Thickness I'm sure

Stephen Zarella -

9h works also or I HAD a mix up

Stephen Zarella -

Thickness I'm sure

Stephen Zarella -

Step 12

Lift the fan shroud straight up to remove it.

wo bekomme ich die original Torx M8 für die Ps5?

Elli Pirelly -

Step 13

Insert the flat end of a spudger beneath the black wire cover and into the gap above the fan wires.
Pry only on the wire cover, not on the fan wires themselves.
Use the spudger to peel up the wire cover until you can grip it with your fingers.

Some PS5's have a smaller sticky cover instead , remove it in this step

UnitedShoes -

Step 14

Use your fingers to peel off the wire cover.

Step 15

Use your fingers to grip the edges of the fan cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.
Always pull cables by their connectors and not the wires themselves.

Step 16

Lift the fan up and out of the case to remove it.

Step 17

Over time, dust will build up inside the fan and on the fan blades.
Use a pair of tweezers to grab loose hairs and dust clumps off of the fan.
Use a small dust blower or light compressed air to blow remaining dust off of the fan.
Use a finger to keep the fan blades steady—it makes them easier to clean.
If there's a layer of grime on the fan blades, use soapy water or isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to wipe them off.

Step 18

Lift up the corner of the faceplate with the PlayStation logo to unclip it from the case.
While lifting up the corner, slide the faceplate towards the bottom of the device.
Remove the left faceplate.

Step 19

Use a clean rag or microfiber cloth to wipe the insides of the faceplates clean.

Step 20

With both faceplates off, now's the time to clean everything underneath that's normally hidden.
Two dust ports underneath the left faceplate can catch dust over time. Use a narrow vacuum attachment to clean out the ports.
Depending on how dirty your console is, you might need to use a soft bristle brush to dislodge more dust and grime.
Using an anti-static brush or a new toothbrush, clean any dust out of hard to reach areas and off of the rear vents.
Use a dust blower to blow any loose dust out of the console and a cloth to wipe the vents clean.

Step 21

Use a dust blower, brush, and a cloth to clean the inside of the fan cavity while the fan's removed.
The PS5 draws air through the heatsink fins, and they may clog with dust and debris over time.
If you can see dust buildup in the heatsink, use a dust blower to blow it clean.
Remember: use this time to clean any other dirty internal surfaces before you seal your console back up. Happy gaming!

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Disassembly or cleaning didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our PlayStation 5 Answers community for help.

Author

Carsten Frauenheim

Member since: 10/03/20

136131 Reputation

One comment

How do i clean the lebron faceplate?

Hugh Johnson -