Consoles, like PCs, have active cooling fans that end up putting dust inside the devices. Over time, this dust turns into soot that blocks the vents, causes the console to heat up, and makes its fans too noisy . If this is your case and you have a PS4 or PS4 Pro and you want to clean it, in this article we are going to teach you how to clean it inside safely so that it stops making so much noise and, at the same time, prolongs its useful life.
You must bear in mind that this process involves opening the console to access its interior, a fact that automatically voids your warranty . For this reason we recommend that you do not do it unless the console does not already have a warranty, and in any case that you do it at your own risk because there is always the possibility that something will go wrong and cause a failure in the console.
That said, it should also be noted that the process is really very simple and will take you no more than a few minutes to complete. Let’s go there.
Necessary materials
Although as we have said the process is simple and can be completed in just a few minutes, you will need some specific tools since they will be necessary to access the interior of the console. This is what you will need:
- Torx TR9 screwdriver with security bit (it’s like the normal Torx format, but it has a small hole in the center and that’s why it’s TR9 and not T9).
- Standard Philips screwdriver (the typical ” Phillips ” screwdriver.
- A cutter , knife, or other sharp tool. This is simply to peel off the stickers.
- A can of compressed air is recommended to facilitate the task.
- Ear sticks (will help to reach inaccessible corners).
How to clean the PS4 or PS4 Pro inside
The first step is logically to turn off the console and disconnect all the cables, and it is also recommended that you remove any DVD you have inside. Then put the console on a smooth surface (a table) and access the back. Depending on the console model (since in addition to the normal and the Pro, there have been several variations over time) you will see that there are between one and three stickers on the top of the back of the console. You must remove these stickers carefully, using the cutter.
Please note that some of these stickers are designed to break on purpose when you try to remove them. It is the way that SONY has to know if you have opened it and thereby void the warranty.
Now, using the TR9 screwdriver, remove the screws and you can now remove the top cover of the console. The safe way to do this is, with the back of the console facing you, to gently start lifting the cover from the lower left corner, and “go” all the way down the side until it pops out.
After doing this you can now access the main fan of the console, and you can clean it with the help of the compressed air canister and the ear buds. However, it is recommended that since you are cleaning it inside, you do it well, so the next step is to disassemble the power supply. To do this, you need to remove three Torx TR9 and two Philips screws (again, this may be a little different depending on the model you have).
Once these screws are removed you should be able to pull the power supply to one side. To do this, with the console oriented as we had it before, simply lift from the right side and you will see how you can easily turn it to the opposite side. You don’t even need to disconnect cables.
You will see that not only will the fountain be full of dust (which you will have to clean), but having removed it you now have access to the PS4’s heatsink. It is time to blow compressed air and ear buds to remove as much dust as possible from the console. You may need to help yourself with a micro fiber cloth (which is completely dry) to be able to remove all the dust that is deposited on the components. In fact, we recommend that you “cover” the heatsink with the rag before applying compressed air to the fan so as not to put it all down.
Once you are satisfied with the interior cleaning of the console, simply follow the process in reverse to reassemble everything.
Tips when using compressed air with the PS4
When cleaning the PS4 with compressed air, there are some important things to keep in mind:
- Never hold the pot upside down. This will cause the liquid gas inside to escape from the can and could damage the PS4 if it falls on top of any component.
- Do not spray the compressed air directly into the fan, as it will cause it to spin and “go round” could damage it. Before doing so, hold it with a finger or block it with an ear stick to prevent it from moving.
- Use compressed air only in ventilation areas. In other words, to clean the source or the dust accumulated in other places better use the rag or the swabs.
- Spray in bursts, as maintaining a constant spray will cool the can, making it difficult to handle.