Signs and Dangers of PS4 Overheating

Just similar to laptop computers, PS4’s hardware components are in close proximity to each other with little room for air movement. Because they’re prone to overheating, watching for the signs of thermal stress and protecting the PS4’s fan from blockage protect your game console against irreparable damage.

Risks of Overheating PS4

A PS4 that’s too hot can actually scald you. It can be a reason for possible burn hazards.

Regarding the device itself, operating a PS4 at very high temperatures leads to failed hardware components (video cards, motherboards, memory modules, hard drives and more are susceptible to damage) and decreases the lifespan of your game console. It can also be a fire hazard; faulty PS4 consoles have actually burned down houses.

Signs of PS4 Overheating

If your PS4 feels hot and shows any of the problems below, chances are it’s overheating or getting there:

• The fan is constantly running and making loud whirring noises
• The PS4 is very slow and struggling to perform basic tasks like opening the Quick Menu
• Non-specific or unexpected error messages
• Lines appear on your PS4 screen
• The PS4 system freezes or kicks a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)
• The PS4 abruptly shuts down on its own
• Certain areas of the bottom of the PS4 are hot, like where the fan, RAM, processor, or power supply are located

If your PS4 is overheating, take steps immediately to cool your PS4 to prevent further overheating damage.

What to Do When a PS4 Gets Too Hot

When your PS4 overheats, prompt action is warranted. The simplest solution is to just take a break from using it. Power it down and put it in a cool, dry location until it’s completely cool to the touch, then wait ten more minutes.

Keep the PS4 positioned on a flat, hard surface while you’re using it. Sitting it on any soft surface (your bed, the couch, etc.) for an extended period of time can block the fan and make it harder for the internal parts to remain cool, particularly when you’ve put a blanket beneath it.

Replace the PS4 power cord if you feel there’s a sort of power issue with your game console.

In rare situations it can be also the PS4 power supply that causes the whole issue. A defective PS4 power supply usually just wears out, but sometimes a power supply with impact or thermal damage overheats—sometimes, catastrophically.

Some things to keep in mind:

Shut down apps/games that use lots of system resources. Something that’s using most of your RAM or CPU, or is always writing to the hard drive, forces those components to work, which can make them hot over time.

Consider buying a PS4 cooler to promote circulation and heat exchange, and blow out any dust or debris that’s accumulated inside the fan intakes.