The PS4 remains a reliable, popular, and affordable console. It came out in 2013, and some of its pieces can fail after many years of use. For example, the ventilation system can only go for so long without maintenance. It would help if you cleaned the PS4 every six months to support its functions. Listen, a loud fan leads to overheating. Overheating leads to sub-par performance (low frame rate, crashes, freezes, slow loading screens,…). So, take your time to follow the tutorial and get your PlayStation back to shape.
Common Causes for This Issue
How to Fix PS4 Fan Loud?
We’re going through a list of easy solutions to lower the sound of your PS4 fan. It’s about cleaning the case’s dust, debris, and rust, cleaning the fan and vents, and putting your console in more ventilated areas. The fan is part of the console’s ventilation system. It takes cool air in and hot air out. If it’s making too much noise (often like a jet plane), here’s why:
Dust and Rust Accumulation: it’s the most common culprits and the number one enemy of electronic devices. Dust and rust accumulate over time. So, you must clean your console every so often to prevent accumulation. Also, it may be hard to see dust inside the PS4 if you’re cleaning the case.Lack of Ventilation: the PS4 is sitting in a place where it’s not receiving enough air. As a result, the fan is constantly spinning at high speeds to compensate for the lack of air.
When the fans can’t spin freely, it starts to make noise. That could be because too much dust prevents its movement or because it has physical damage. The solutions work for PS4 Fat, PS4 Pro, and PS4 Slim. Particularly, the PS4 Slim makes it easier to clean the fan without taking a single screw. The PS4 Fat and the PS4 Pro require some unscrewing, but the fans and vents are also easily accessible.
Deep Clean the PS4’s Case
We should start by cleaning the PS4 thoroughly: Ensure you clean all of the obvious dust you see on the console’s case. Be very gentle and patient, though.
Clean the PS4’s Internals
Now, we need to open the PS4. The process varies per console, and it’s about removing the screws near the warranty stickers. PS4 Fat owners may need to remove the sticker as well. We’re dividing the tutorial per PlayStation model. Before that, you will need some cleaning materials, such as:
Microfiber ClothsWipesQ-TipsCottonIsopropyl AlcoholCleaning FoamCan of Compressed AirLow Vacuum Cleaner.
You don’t need to have it all, but any similar combination of materials can work. You must be careful and detailed in cleaning, as it’s the best way to fix a lousy PS4 fan. Also, ensure your PS4 is fully unplugged. Another piece of advice is not to use water and avoid vacuum cleaners on the PS4 Pro specifically.
Cleaning the Insides of the PS4 Fat
This is as far as we recommend cleaning the PS4 Fat by yourself. If you see physical damage on the fan, or if the fan keeps making loud noises after you complete the tutorial, you should take it to a professional.
Cleaning the Insides of the PS4 Slim
The PS4 Slim makes it easier to clean the fan and the internals. Here’s how the process looks on the PS4 Slim:
Cleaning the Insides of the PS4 Pro
Then, the PS4 Pro design is similar to the PS4 Slim design. So, you can follow these steps:
Put the Console Back Together
You can follow the process in reverse for either console to put it back into place. Be very gentle when popping the lids back. After you’re done, please follow the following advice before trying to play again.
Change the Setup of Your PS4
The final advice is to change where the PS4 was sitting. See, the PS4 has vents at the sides and the back. All of these vents need to have some space to breathe. If you block them, the PS4 will overheat, and the fan will be noisy. So, try putting your console in an open space and a cool area. For example, put it close to windows, doors, or A/C systems. Keep it away from dirt areas, and put it atop a cold surface such as wood, marble, or stone. Also, keep it elevated if you have pets at home. Lastly, put the console in a horizontal position, as it’s how it was designed.
Take Your Console to Repair
Various problems also translate into loud fans or loud noises. However, we can’t solve them at home. These are:
Physical Damage on Your PS4: An extended period of dust accumulation leads to broken hardware parts.Faulty Thermal Paste: The thermal paste is between the fan and the CPU and helps dissipate CPU heat and keep both pieces together. The paste doesn’t last forever and is particularly faulty on the PS4 Pro. The best course of action is to let a professional change it. Physical Damage on the Hard Drive: Damage on the hard drive could also lead to noisy fans. The platters inside the drive spin too fast to seek data. This is a sign it needs a change or that your PS4 needs a new hard drive. Loose Screws: If you hear a rattling noise, there may be some loose screws on the console. They might be difficult to find, as any of them may come off due to wear and tear.Damaged Fan: Fan blades can break after years of use. When this happens, the sound becomes terrifying, and the solution is to replace the fan immediately. The CMOS Ship or Other Pieces on the Motherboard Are Working: The CMOS chip is a key piece in the console. Whenever it breaks, it leads to all kinds of hardware issues. One of these issues is overheating.
If you finished the tutorial and still find loud noises, you’re facing one of these issues or something similar. The best course of action for you is to take your console for repairs.
