PlayStation 3

Cleaning & care

Even routine cleaning should be done with the console unplugged and cooled. Avoid spraying liquids directly into vents, and never run a vacuum nozzle against the spinning fan. Static is a risk any time the shell is open.

Routine care keeps it alive

Fat PS3s run hot by design, and heat is what eventually kills them. Regular cleaning is the cheapest insurance against the YLOD. Keeping dust out of the vents, the fan clear, and the console in a well-ventilated spot all lower operating temperatures and extend the machine's life. A little maintenance now prevents an expensive repair later.

A simple cleaning routine

Exterior: wipe the shell with a dry or barely damp cloth.
Vents: blow dust from the intake and exhaust grilles.
Placement: keep the console upright with clear space around the vents.
Controllers: wipe the pads and clean around the buttons and sticks.

Surface clean often
Dust the exterior and clear the external vents regularly without opening the console.
Deep clean periodically
Open the console now and then to clear the heatsink and fan of packed dust.
Refresh while inside
If you are already in there, renew the thermal paste so cooling stays effective.
Improve placement
Set the console somewhere open and cool to keep temperatures down between cleanings.

Prevention pays

A console that is kept cool and clean is far less likely to ever suffer the solder failure behind the YLOD.

maintenance prevention