PS3 fan is extremely loud - what solution is there?

The loud fan of the PS3 can be annoying. We have the solution that will make your PlayStation purr again like a kitten.

Loud PS3 fan due to poor air supply

A loud fan can have various reasons, but most of the time it is simply due to poor air supply. In the best case, you can fix this problem simply by repositioning the console.

• The fan of the PS3 is attached to the bottom. If you lay the console down and then store it in a narrow shelf compartment, it can quickly lead to loud fans.
• The hot air cannot then be drawn off properly and is drawn in again as cooling air - this is counterproductive. In addition, dust accumulates particularly quickly.
• If possible, you should place the console upright in an open area where it can "breathe" properly. The fan then points to the side and is no longer hindered, so that the air can circulate properly.
• If you do not want to stand the PS3 upright, perhaps to save the drive, you can alternatively build a small stand or a bracket so that the console has more space below.
• For example, four beverage cans of the same size are suitable for this, which you can use as legs. In general, there are no limits to your creativity here: you should only make sure that the fan is not covered by the supports and that the console stands securely.

Clean PS3 fans without disassembling the console

If the change of position does not help, the fan will probably be very dusty. That makes it less effective and therefore louder. So it's time to clean it properly. You do not have to disassemble the device for this.

The PlayStation 3 has an internal cleaning function that not everyone knows. This allows the fan to blow at full strength for a short time in order to remove light dust contamination. The process works for both the old "Fat" and the newer "Slim" version of the PS3 and differs only slightly. That's how it works:

1. Remove the power cable from the "Slim" or switch off the "Fat" on the back of the console.
2. Now hold down the eject button on the front of the console.
3. Do not let go of the button and plug in the power cable again or switch the console on again.
4. Keep pressing the eject button until the fans start to crank up.
5. When the fans are done, turn off the console as before and restart it. It should now be dust free.
6. If that's not enough, since the layer of dust is already too thick, you can also try it from the outside with a vacuum cleaner.

Many users report that they have been successfully cleaning their fans for years. However, there is always the risk that something will break if, for example, the draft turns the fan of the switched off console. This method is therefore not officially recommended.

The emergency solution: screw on PS3

If you dare to screw around on technical devices, you can also unscrew your PlayStation 3 and clean it deeply. If you have no experience with this, we strongly advise against it, because if you unscrew the device, you will usually lose your warranty.

1. If that doesn't bother you, you can open the console with just a few screws. You usually need to start by removing a warranty sticker. Below you will find the first screw.
2. After actually opening the box, you have to work your way up to the mainboard and the fan. This means that you have to carefully unplug and remove components such as the Bluray drive because the fan sits at the bottom of the console.
3. In general, you may notice that the device is generally dusty - even away from the fan.
4. Use a soft brush or cotton swab to clean it. Careful vacuuming is also possible. Never use an electromagnetic or wet cloth!

Practical test video: the PS3 Super Slim

If that's not the only problem with your PS3, we have more tips for you. Here you can read about how to update your PS3 via USB stick and what you can do if your PS3 hangs.