A Lifetime Around Games and Hardware

My relationship with video games began long before the first PlayStation ever existed. As a child, I spent some time in the arcade repair shop where my mother worked, seeing open cabinets, the boards that made them do what they do, and seeing the machines that had endured years of heavy use. Those early experiences instilled both a deep appreciation for games and a lasting respect for the hardware that brings them to life.

Decades later, that same practical curiosity continues to shape how I approach modern consoles. When unexpected overheating emerges on the PS5 Slim, I examine it through the same lens I first developed in that repair shop—understanding the components, identifying the underlying causes, and pursuing solutions that preserve long-term performance and reliability.

Why Vertical Placement Leads to Overheating

A growing number of PS5 Slim owners have encountered sudden overheating after months of otherwise normal use. One of the most significant contributing factors is prolonged vertical orientation. When the console stands upright for extended periods, the factory-applied liquid metal thermal interface can gradually migrate or settle downward along the side of the APU. This shift reduces contact efficiency between the processor and the heatsink, allowing temperatures to rise more rapidly under sustained load.

The issue is often compounded by restricted exhaust airflow. When the rear vents sit too close to a wall, TV stand, or other surface, hot air becomes trapped and recirculates into the system. The combined effect of diminished liquid-metal contact and limited ventilation causes the console to run hotter, resulting in elevated fan speeds, thermal throttling, or unexpected shutdowns.

Important Warranty Consideration

Any internal work on the PS5 Slim will void the manufacturer’s warranty. The guidance that follows assumes the console’s warranty has already expired or been voided. Proceed only if you are fully prepared to accept that risk.

Approaching Disassembly with Care

Should you choose to open the PS5 Slim to address liquid metal concerns or improve cooling, careful disassembly is essential. The console employs multiple screw types and lengths; installing the wrong one in the wrong location can damage the motherboard, distort the chassis, or compromise heatsink contact.

Before beginning, study several detailed YouTube teardown videos specific to the PS5 Slim. Note the precise placement of each screw, as lengths and thread types differ. A reliable method used by experienced technicians is to photograph each screw held directly above the hole from which it was removed, creating a clear visual reference for reassembly.

Work methodically, keep screws organized in a labeled container or on a magnetic mat, and never force any component. If confidence is lacking at any stage, entrusting the work to a qualified professional remains the safer course.

A Practical Interim Solution

A measured short-term approach involves thorough cleaning followed by thoughtful repositioning. After careful disassembly, remove dust from internal components and heatsink fins using a q-tip and paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol, lightly brushing it down. Then reassemble the console.

Important: Leave the outer faceplates off—the thick plastic panels can retain heat even when slightly elevated. Position the unit horizontally so the liquid metal is less inclined to migrate, and orient the exhaust vents toward open space (facing you instead of away from you) rather than a nearby or boxed-in surface. Make sure the PS5's surroundings are cleared out and a fan in the room is on to further support effective airflow cooling and circulation.

Running without the faceplates improves passive heat dissipation. But another cleaning may be required once the liquid-metal interface is properly restored and you get new face plates. The foamy lizard are good replacements because they have dust proof ventilation on the sides and thinner plates, but wait to get them until the liquid metal on your PS5 is replaced. With this configuration, you will see lower temperatures in your PS5 console during those long stretches of MW4 DMZ matches.

Preserving the Factory Liquid Metal Interface

Replacing the original liquid metal with conventional thermal paste is strongly discouraged. Sony designed the PS5 Slim’s cooling system around a gallium-based liquid metal alloy precisely because of the APU’s high heat density. Liquid metal provides thermal conductivity approximately two to three times greater than even the highest-grade pastes. Although paste is more forgiving for amateur application, it cannot match the heat-transfer performance required by the console’s architecture. Users who make the substitution commonly report higher operating temperatures, increased fan noise, and a greater likelihood of thermal issues.

Later PS5 Slim revisions, including the EDM-051 board, incorporate improved containment measures that reduce the risk of leakage. Even so, the factory liquid-metal interface remains the superior solution for maintaining designed cooling performance. When migration has occurred, the recommended long-term remedy is professional reapplication of the correct alloy rather than substitution with paste.

Maintaining a horizontal orientation, ensuring unobstructed exhaust airflow, and retaining the original liquid-metal interface will resolve or substantially reduce the majority of overheating symptoms linked to vertical placement and heat retention.

Quick Recap: Recommended Steps

1. Confirm your PS5 Slim’s warranty has already expired or been voided before opening the console
2. Watch multiple detailed YouTube teardown videos specific to the PS5 Slim
3. Photograph each screw while holding it over the hole it came from to ensure correct reassembly
4. Organize screws carefully using a labeled container or magnetic mat
5. Disassemble the console slowly and thoroughly clean dust from internal components and heatsink fins
6. Reassemble without the outer faceplates to improve passive heat dissipation
7. Position the console horizontally to reduce further liquid metal migration
8. Orient the rear exhaust vents toward open space (facing you) and keep the surrounding area clear
9. Do not replace the factory liquid metal with conventional thermal paste
10. If liquid metal has migrated, seek professional reapplication of the correct alloy for a long-term solution

Play On with Confidence

You now possess a clear understanding of why the PS5 Slim can develop overheating issues over time, along with the practical measures that help prevent or correct them. Whether through adjusted orientation, improved airflow, or careful servicing once the warranty period has ended, these steps can meaningfully enhance long-term reliability and performance.

As a fellow gamer, I understand how disruptive unexpected thermal problems can feel. Take the time to refine your setup, then return to the experience as it was intended—smooth, immersive, and uninterrupted. Happy gaming.