From the bench
PS5 overheating: dust and hair in the fan
This PS5 was overheating. Under the cover, the fan intake was packed with dust and hair. We did a full clean of the console, fan and power supply, and reapplied the liquid metal.
Console Overheating Repair in Charlotte, NC
Dust buildup and dried factory thermal paste make overheating a major long-term console killer. The shop fully disassembles the console, cleans fan and heatsink, and reapplies thermal paste and pads.
$79.99–$99.99by model
Same dayturnaround
90 dayswarranty
Your exact price
The short answer
We fully take your console apart, clean the fan, heatsink and vents, and replace dried thermal paste and pads (or liquid metal on a PS5), then test it under load. It's a same-day service. The diagnostic is free, the exact price for your model is shown on this page, and the work carries a 90-day warranty.
Signs you need this repair
Fan roars even in menus
A console that sounds like a jet on the home screen is working too hard to stay cool.
Shuts off mid-game
The console cuts power during demanding games to protect itself. That's thermal protection doing its job.
Stutters after a while
Games run fine for the first stretch, then stutter or freeze once the console has been on for 20 to 30 minutes.
Overheating warning on screen
The PS4 and PS5 show a message when the console is too hot. Seeing it once in a hot room is a warning. Seeing it regularly means it needs service.
Scorching hot exhaust
Air coming out the back that's uncomfortable to hold your hand in, or a case that's hot to the touch, points to trapped heat.
Switch hot and throttling when docked
A docked Switch that gets very hot, slows down or shuts off usually has a clogged vent or dried paste.
What usually causes it
Dust packed into the heatsink
Dust and pet hair build up between the heatsink fins until air can barely pass through. The fan spins faster, but the heat has nowhere to go.
Dried thermal paste and worn pads
Factory paste dries out over the years and stops moving heat from the processor to the heatsink. Pads on the memory and power parts flatten and harden too.
Liquid metal problems on PS5
Sony uses liquid metal between the PS5 processor and heatsink. Over time it can shift or thin out, and the processor runs hotter as a result.
Tight spaces
Consoles packed into closed cabinets, set on carpet or crammed against a wall recirculate their own hot air.
Worn fan
A fan with a worn bearing spins slower, rattles or whines, and can't move enough air.
How we fix it
- 1Check temperatures first
We run the console and watch fan behavior and surface temperatures with a thermal camera. That gives a baseline to compare against after the service.
- 2Full teardown
We take the console apart down to the board, heatsink and fan. A real service means getting to the heatsink fins and the processor, not just blowing air in the vents.
- 3Deep clean
The fan, heatsink fins, vents and power supply get cleaned of dust and debris. On a PS5 that includes cleaning out the console, the fan and the power supply.
- 4New thermal material
Old paste is cleaned off the processor and heatsink and fresh paste goes on. Worn pads are replaced. On a PS5, the liquid metal is cleaned up and reapplied, with the surrounding parts kept protected.
- 5Check the fan
We spin the fan by hand and under power, listening for bearing noise. A worn fan gets flagged so you can decide on a replacement.
- 6Load test
The console is reassembled and run under a demanding game. We compare temperatures and fan noise to the baseline before it's ready for pickup.
What goes back in
The thermal material depends on the console. Each one has its own setup from the factory, and we service it to match.
Thermal paste
Used on the processor in the PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Switch. Fresh paste restores heat transfer that dried factory paste lost.
Thermal pads
Soft pads that cool memory and power parts. Worn ones are replaced at the correct thickness so the heatsink still sits flat.
Liquid metal (PS5)
The PS5's processor uses liquid metal. It's conductive, so it has to be applied carefully and contained. We clean and reapply it as part of the PS5 service.
Replacement fan
Only if the fan is worn or damaged. We tell you before fitting one.
How long it takes
Overheating service is a same-day job. A worn fan or a part that has to be replaced can add time, and so can finding another fault during the load test. If that happens, we call you before doing anything extra.
Console Overheating Repair prices by model
Live prices from our shop price sheet. Parts and labor included, with a 90-day warranty.
| Model | Overheating |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 Pro | $99.99 |
| PlayStation 5 | $99.99 |
| PlayStation 4 | $89.99 |
| PlayStation 3 | $89.99 |
| Nintendo 3DS | $79.99 |
| PlayStation 2 | $89.99 |
| Nintendo 2DS | $79.99 |
| Xbox Series X | $99.99 |
| Xbox Series S | $99 |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | $79.99 |
| Xbox One X | $79.99 |
| Xbox One S | $79.99 |
| Xbox One | $79.99 |
| Nintendo Switch / Switch Lite | $79.99 |
Models we repair
PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SNintendo Switch
From our bench
4.9★ on Google
What customers say
★★★★★
… Came in to repair a fan connector that came off my ps5s motherboard. They essentially rebuilt a part of the motherboard to get it working which is not easy. Wouldn’t take my Ps5 to be repaired anywhere else.Jose Ulloa · Console clean-out · Google review
★★★★★
… had my repair and cleaning completed, same day, WITHIN 2 HOURS!!! No appointment necessary. …Christian Lafranchise · Console clean-out · Google review
★★★★★
The guys got me in very last minute and gave me an extremely reasonable deal to get my ps5 hdmi port and cleaning repaired and done! it was fast easy and very helpful. 10/10 would recommend for all tech repairs!Amin Gaines · Console clean-out · Google review
Real customer reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word for word. … marks where a longer review was shortened.
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When something breaks
Fixed here, on our bench
Bring it in and we handle the claim with you.
Before you bring it in
- Note when it overheats: which games, how long into a session, and whether you've seen a warning message.
- Bring the power cord. For a Switch, bring the dock too, since docked heat is often the complaint.
- Eject any disc.
- Tell us if the console lives in a cabinet or near a heat source. It helps us give useful advice at pickup.
- If it has been opened before, let us know.
Repair or replace?
Overheating is the cheapest major console problem to fix, and the one most worth catching early. A clean and repaste brings temperatures back down and takes stress off the power supply and the board. Ignoring it is how a fixable heat problem turns into a no-power repair later. The only time we'd steer you away is a console that already has serious board damage from years of heat, and the diagnostic will show that.
Thinking of fixing it yourself?
You can do some useful things at home. Give the console space on every side, keep it off carpet and out of closed cabinets, and on a PS5, remove the side covers and vacuum the two dust catcher holes. Cleaning out the inside is a different job. PS4 and Xbox consoles have fragile ribbon cables and clips. On a PS5 the liquid metal is electrically conductive, and if it smears onto the board it can short components. If you open it and something doesn't come apart easily, stop there before you crack a clip or tear a connector.
After your repair
- Leave several inches of space around the vents, and don't stand anything against the back.
- Keep it off carpet and out of closed cabinets.
- Plan on a clean-out every year or two, sooner with pets or smokers in the house.
- If the fan gets loud again inside 90 days, bring it back under the warranty.
Questions people ask
Why is my PS5 fan so loud?
Usually dust in the heatsink, a console in a cramped spot, or the liquid metal no longer transferring heat well. A teardown, clean-out and liquid metal reapplication fixes most loud PS5s.
Can overheating permanently damage my console?
Yes. Years of running hot stress the processor's connections and the power circuits. Catching it early is much cheaper than a board repair later.
How often should I have my console cleaned?
Every one to two years for most homes, more often with pets, smoking or a dusty room.
How long does the cleaning and thermal service take?
It's same day.
What does the PS5 service include?
A full clean-out of the console, the fan and the power supply, plus cleaning and reapplying the liquid metal on the processor. Then it's load tested.
Can I just blow compressed air into the vents?
It can move some loose dust, but it often packs dust deeper into the heatsink. It also does nothing about dried paste. A teardown is the real fix.
Do you service Xbox Series X and Series S?
Yes. Series consoles run cooler than older ones, but dust and aging paste still catch up with them.
Will this make my console quieter?
In most cases, yes. Once heat moves properly, the fan doesn't need to spin as fast.
Is my data safe during a clean?
A thermal service doesn't involve the storage, so your games and saves usually stay put. We'll tell you if we see any risk.
Related repairs
Nationwide
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Free diagnostic when it arrives. Free insured shipping back.
- 1Tell us your model and the problem
- 2Ship it insured. We diagnose it within a day
- 3Approve the price. Fixed and back in 7–10 days