how to clean your ps4

If you have a PS4, chances are you're not too happy with how it sounds. And boy, does it sound a lot! Every time you power up your PS4, I bet you consider buying noise-canceling headphones to drown out the jet engine running inside it. PS4 has been infamous for running too hot and too loud.

Its fan struggles to keep the unit cool even under basic load. This stems from its compact construction and the limited space for air circulation. Depending on where you live, your PS4 can accumulate quite a bit of dust in a span of few months to a year or two.

Dust build-up causes its internal fan to run ridiculously fast in order to keep it cool. This creates the loud running noise and can even lead to performance issues if not taken care of. It doesn't even take a lot of time.

We'll guide you through the process, step by step, including the basic tools you need and the things you need to keep in mind (like voiding the warranty)

When to Clean your PS4

Over time, dust can build up inside the PS4, especially if there's a lot of ambient dust in the air around you. If you can hear your PS4's fan even when sitting far away, it's time for a clean-up.

You don't always need to open it up and clean the interior of the console either. Just cleaning its exterior body and the surface you keep it on should be enough. In case it's been more than a year since you last cleaned it, or you're facing performance issues like abrupt shutdowns, it's best to clean the interior as well.

Note that repeatedly putting off the clean-up can permanently damage the PS4 due to overheating.

Equipment You Need

You can't just let it loose on your PS4 with any random cloth or cleaning agent. You'll need a basic cleaning kit, especially if you have to properly clean its internals:

A dry microfiber cloth
A can of compressed air
A T9 Torx screwdriver
A small Phillips screwdriver
Cotton swabs or Q-tips
A soft-bristle toothbrush
Isopropyl alcohol (for the PS4 controllers)

Keep in mind that if your PS4 is within its 1-year warranty, opening it up will void that warranty. But if your console is in a condition that needs internal cleaning, your warranty is probably over anyway. This won't be an issue if you have a newer PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro but we'll cover that later.

Steps to Clean your PS4

Now that you have all the tools you need to get started, you can follow the steps below to clean both the exterior and interior of your console:

First off, switch off your PS4 and remove all cables. Keep it on a clean table or any flat surface with ample space.
Use the can of compressed air to dislodge the dust on the exterior of the PS4. Ensure that you're holding the can upright.
Use the dry microfiber cloth to wipe all of the PS4's sides and edges.

PS4 vents- how to clean PS4

You can now proceed to clean the internals of the console. Begin by peeling the stickers on its back.
Use the T9 screwdriver to remove the screws holding the PS4's cover in place.
Remove the cover and use compressed air and a cotton swab to wipe the dust off it.

Removing PS4 cover- how to clean PS4

Now you need to remove the power supply by removing the T9 and Phillips screws keeping it secure. Make sure you don't disconnect the power supply. Carefully flip it over to the left while it stays connected.

Removing PS4 PSU screws- cleaning PS4

Removing PS$ power supply- cleaning PS4

Use short bursts of compressed air to blow dust from areas such as the fan, heatsink, and the outside edges. Do not blow air directly into the fan as it can damage the circuitry. Use a q-tip to jam the fan in place and then blow air away from the fan.

Cleaning PS4 fan

9. You can use cotton swabs to remove the dust deposits not cleaned in the previous step.

10. Once you're satisfied, replace the power supply with its screws and replace the cover with its screws.

Clean your PS4's Hard Drive Bay (Optional)

The Hard drive of your PS4 might also have built up dust over time. It doesn't hurt to check, especially when you're already near the end of the cleaning process.

Follow the steps below to access the HDD compartment and clean it:

Looking at your PS4 from the front, gently press the shiny part of the cover and slide it to the left.

Removing PS4 Top Cover- cleaning PS4 hard disk bay

2. Remove the Phillips head screw with the Playstation button icons and remove the HDD from the enclosure.

3. Clean any dust deposited in the enclosure, replace the HDD and the screw, and slide the cover back on.

Clean Your PS4 Slim & PS4 Pro

The newer PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro models do not need you to remove screws or use any tools for cleaning the internals. All you need to do is remove their plastic cowlings with a little force and you will have the interior exposed and ready for cleaning.

Place your PS4 on a clean, big surface as before.
Grab the bottom front of the PS4's top plastic cowling (console facing away from you) and pull it up and towards yourself.
Gently apply some force, flexing the cowling a little, releasing it from the tabs holding it in place.
As before, use compressed air to blow the dust off, use cotton swabs for the nastier areas and replace the cowling when you're done.

Clean your PS4 controllers

It's a good practice to regularly clean your controllers as well. After all, they're constantly in contact with your hands and tend to build up dust and grime over time. Follow the simple steps below to clean your PS4 controllers:

Remove any cables attached to your controller
Use compressed air to blow off the dust around the buttons, analog sticks, and ports.
Wipe the controller with a microfiber cloth
If there's still some grime left, use a microfiber cloth dipped in a 50:50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol to remove the deposits. Avoid the ports.
Make sure the controller is clean and dry before plugging it back in.

PS4 Dust Prevention

While you know how to clean your PS4, both inside and out, there are a few best practices to follow to prevent dust from building up in the first place. You can minimize dust build-up and allow maximum airflow by doing the following:

Make sure the PS4 is kept slightly elevated and at a distance from any walls
Its surrounding areas should ideally be free from other items, to allow better air intake.
Never keep your PS4 on the floor, the carpet, or stuffed inside a cabinet.