Troubleshooting Guide: How to Fix a PS5 Randomly Shutting Off

If you’re a proud owner of a PlayStation 5, the last thing you want is for it to randomly shut off, disrupting your gaming experience. But fear not, because there are solutions available to address this frustrating issue. As someone who has faced this problem firsthand, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you get your PS5 back up and running smoothly in no time.

Identifying the Issue:

The sudden shutdown of your PS5 can be attributed to various factors, but one common culprit is overheating due to some reasons like dust accumulation (read our comprehensive guide on fixing PS5 overheating issues). Especially during intense gaming sessions with AAA titles, the console’s internal components can become clogged with dust, leading to overheating and subsequent shutdowns.

Solution 1: Cleaning Your PS5

To address overheating caused by dust buildup, thorough cleaning of your PS5 is essential. You don’t need to be a tech expert to do this; all you need are a few basic tools and some patience.

Tools Required:

A method to blow dust out of the console (such as compressed air or a dust blower), and a T8 Torx screwdriver.

Cleaning Process:

1. 1. Remove the PS5 stand and faceplates.
   2. Unscrew the fan cover using the T8 Torx screwdriver.
   3. Disconnect the fan assembly and remove it from the console.
   4. Use the compressed air or dust blower to clean the interior of the PS5 thoroughly.
   5. Clean the fan blades with canned air or a brush.
   6. Reassemble the fan assembly and screw it back in place.
   7. Replace the intake fin and faceplates.
   8. Reattach the PS5 stand.

This cleaning process should significantly reduce the risk of overheating and random shutdowns.

Solution 2: Additional Cooling

If cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue, consider investing in an aftermarket accessory fan, such as the SCRY Artic PS5 cooler. While this may result in slightly increased fan noise, it can effectively enhance cooling performance and prevent overheating.

Solution 3: Firmware Update

Sometimes, a simple firmware update can fix the problem. Ensure your PS5’s software is up-to-date by following these steps:

1. Open the PS5 Settings menu.
2. Select System.
3. Open System Software.
4. Select System Software Update.
5. Click Update System Software.

Preventive Measures:

• Turn off Rest Mode: While Rest Mode is convenient for charging controllers and downloading games, it can contribute to random shutdowns. Disable Rest Mode by navigating to Power Saving in the PS5 Settings menu.
• Disable HDMI Device Link: This feature, while convenient, may cause the PS5 to power down unexpectedly. Toggle off HDMI Link in the System settings to prevent this issue.

Power Supply Check:

Ensure that your PS5 is receiving sufficient power by checking the power cord for any damage and ensuring it’s securely plugged in.

When All Else Fails:

If none of the above solutions work, don’t hesitate to reach out to PlayStation support. They can provide further troubleshooting assistance and guide you through repair or replacement options if necessary.

 

Useful User Experiences

Learn from the experiences of real PS5 users who have encountered this issue and successfully resolved it.

Experience #1

If the PS5 experiences overheating, you’ll receive a warning message indicating excessive heat before it shuts down. If there’s no warning and it still powers off, it’s likely due to the power supply overheating.

This issue often arises from inadequate maintenance, such as neglecting to clean the console properly or using canned air instead of a vacuum cleaner.

To address this, remove the side panels to access 3 or 4 small holes on the black casing, designed for cleaning purposes like the PSU vent. If dirt has been pushed into these holes from above, either through canned air or neglecting fan cleaning, it may accumulate and obstruct ventilation.

Using a vacuum cleaner, apply suction to these holes for 10-20 seconds to remove any trapped debris. If the problem persists, you may need to open up the console for a thorough cleaning, but only if your warranty has expired.

Experience #2

Is it positioned vertically? I encountered a similar problem while playing Fortnite—suddenly, it would shut off and not turn back on immediately unless I unplugged and re-plugged it. This issue stemmed from overheating. Placing it horizontally temporarily resolved it because the bottom would become excessively hot when vertical. Eventually, I purchased a toolkit and thoroughly cleaned it, eliminating the problem. If your console shuts off, check if the bottom is hot; it’s likely overheating.

Experience #3

After cleaning my PS5 twice and still experiencing random shutdowns, I noticed that the bottom screw was extremely hot—burning hot. Upon switching the console to a horizontal position, the issue was resolved.

Experience #4

I utilized a hand vacuum, a toolset to access the PS5’s fan, a microfiber cloth, and Q-tips for cleaning. I carefully vacuumed the holes housing the power supply and briefly vacuumed the area under the fan. These methods successfully resolved my issue, and I hope they prove effective for others as well!

Experience #5

It’s advisable to keep the PS5 in a horizontal position. Despite being marketed for vertical use, the liquid metal heat fluid tends to pool at the bottom of the recess beneath the CPU. This leads to heat concentration in uncovered areas, causing seal failure over time. If this occurs, the highly conductive liquid metal may drain down the board, resulting in irreversible damage. Warning signs of heat-damaged CPU include random shutdowns, brief power-on moments, and sluggish performance.

Experience #6

I’ve heard that replacing the fan can resolve the issue. A friend of mine had the same problem and hasn’t experienced it since changing the fan. It happened to me twice in a row, but when I placed it sideways, it stopped for a week until today when it occurred again. I’m planning to do a thorough clean, and if that doesn’t solve it, I’ll invest in a new fan.

Experience #7

I encountered the same issue with my PS5, despite multiple cleanings. However, I found a solution. By removing the fan using a T9 screwdriver and ensuring I remembered the screw placements, I was able to access the problem area. There’s a secret vent resembling a cheese grater at the back, which is hard to see directly but visible at an angle. I used a toothbrush to carefully clean this area, where I found a surprising amount of dust. Since then, my PS5 has been working perfectly. The secret vent is located at the bottom of the PS5 where you connect the stand. I hope this solution helps you as it did for me.

Experience #8

I’ve been experiencing this issue for quite some time, and recently it’s been particularly troublesome. After months of searching online, I finally found the cause.

It’s the power supply vent area. If you remove the panels of your PS5 and then take out the fan, shine a flashlight down that hole. You’ll notice an area with numerous small holes—this is where the power supply is located. When these holes become clogged with dust, airflow is restricted, leading to overheating of the power supply and eventual shutdown of the console.

The proper method to clean it involves disassembling the entire unit (there are tutorials available on YouTube) and thoroughly cleaning it out. There are both entrance and exit sets of holes. A small vacuum attachment might work well for this task. If you’re unable to do that, you could try using canned air to unclog the holes, although this method may push dust further into the PSU area, which is not ideal.