There are several possible causes of a loud PS4. One common cause is dust buildup on the internal cooling system, which can cause the fan to work harder and make more noise. Another cause could be the power supply unit, which can emit loud noises if it’s failing or overheating. Additionally, if the PS4 is placed in a tight space or on a surface that does not allow for proper ventilation, this can also cause the system to run louder.
Let’s get started on how to fix it!
Disclaimer: Some recommendations in this article suggest disassembling your PS4. Disassembling your PS4 could void your warranty, and can cause irreparable damage. Do not attempt DIY if unsure.
How to Fix a Loud PS4
1. Reposition Your PS4 to Have Access to Fresh air
Like most electronic devices, your PS4 has an inbuilt fan that makes your console cool and performs optimally. The fan will kick in whenever the PS4 runs and emit a low sound. However, if your PS4 is not getting enough air, the fan will spin faster and make a louder noise.
Heat buildup is the number one cause for this. Move your gaming console to a place where it can breathe more freely, and you shouldn’t have to worry about loud sounds.
Avoid placing objects around or on top of your console; those materials might be directly responsible for the heat triggering the fan to spin faster. These materials could be books, clothes, bags, or anything that can impede the free flow of air.
Sometimes, you might need to change the console’s position altogether, especially if it is by a wall or enclosed space with other heat-emitting devices.
After doing the needful, wait for some time and see if the situation improves.
2. Check for Debris in the Fan
The fans in your console can easily get clogged with dust, hair, and even food crumbs. If you are using your PS4 frequently, this is likely to happen. And it doesn’t matter if you place your PS4 in a ventilated location or if dust is the problem; you have to take care of it.
You would need a can of compressed air to get dust or any particles off your cooling fan. The compressed air will cause the particles to loosen their grip over the fan and fall to the ground.
Spray some air on your PS4 cooling fan, and you should have a cleaner unit that doesn’t make too much noise.
Use the following steps to do it right:
- Turn off your PS4.
- Unplug the power cable from your console.
- Use a can of compressed air to clean up the area around where your fan is located.
- Do this carefully and avoid spraying the compressed air directly onto the fan.
- You should also keep your console disconnected from any power source during this time.
- After cleaning, plug in your PS4 and see if the loud sound persists.
3. Turn Your Console from Horizontal to Vertical
It could be that your PS4 is not taking in enough air while in a horizontal position. You might not have noticed this, but the air intake is located on your console’s bottom.
To put it in another way, if you lay your PS4 flat on a surface, the fan will have to work harder to suck in air. It will keep spinning fast and cause your PS4 console to make a loud sound.
This is why it is probably better to keep your PS4 in a vertical position so that the fan takes in enough air to cool the system and keep it running at its best.
If this hack doesn’t work for you or the others haven’t worked, it’s time to get into the console itself. Brace yourself.
4. Open the Console and Clean the Fan
You can do this yourself, provided you are comfortable tinkering with complicated electronic devices. If you aren’t confident about doing it yourself, you can always take your PS4 to a repair shop or contact Sony directly.
To open up your console to clean the fan, you need a special screwdriver kit usually available at electronic equipment stores.
Before proceeding with the following step-by-step guide, note that your warranty agreement becomes void once you open your gaming console. Thus, it is a better move to send the console to the manufacturers if your one-year warranty is still valid.
Let’s show you how to open and clean your PS4 fan.
- Use a specialized Torx screw to open the back of your PS4 console.
- Get a clean cloth or a can of compressed air and remove the dirt covering the fan and any other component.
- Avoid tampering with anything else.
- After cleaning, cover the console and screw it back in.
- Now your device should work well without a loud sound.
5. Replace the Hard Drive
This should probably be your last resort.
Your PlayStation 4 drive might be noisy because of a faulty disk. You might need to replace the hard drive if the noise comes from within the console.
You can do this with a lot of ease if you have some technical knowledge. You only need a clean and safe workspace and a couple of screwdrivers to unscrew the parts that hold your PS4’s hard drive.
While replacing your hard drive is easy, you must be careful not to break anything else.
If you are up for this, you should be able to replace your hard drive without breaking anything else within the console. But before you try this, consider your warranty’s validity and decide if you are willing to take a risk.
6. Replace the Thermal Paste
This is the one DIY you don’t want to try if you don’t have the experience. Every PS4 has something called thermal paste. Thermal paste is a thermally conductive fluid applied between the PS4 CPU and its cooling system.
The thermal paste helps keep your console cool. However, your console’s thermal paste can wear down after years of use. Replacing it, if ineffective, can help cool your PS4 console and reduce its noise.
FAQs
Why is My PS4 Fan so Loud?
The main reasons for this are poor ventilation and dust buildup. Use the guides provided in this article to resolve this issue.
Is PS4 Fan Noise Normal?
The fan noise you hear could be normal, depending on what you’re using it for. However, you should take action when you notice loud noises from your PS4. It could be a symptom of something serious, and the earlier you attend to it, the better. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse!
How Can I Fix PS4 Fan Noise If None of These Fixes Work?
If these hacks don’t work for you and you still want to get rid of the noise, here is what we recommend:
Contact Sony for a replacement console, or to at least take a look. Call them and explain your issue to them (that your model is too loud) or get noise-canceling headphones to block out the noise when you’re playing. The BlueParrott B550-XT comes highly recommended!
Conclusion
If you are tired of the loud sound that your PS4 console makes, there are simple things you can do to fix this problem. You don’t need to replace the device and certainly don’t have to spend much money. With these simple steps, you can ensure that your PS4 runs quietly and smoothly.
Got a tip? Let us know, and we’ll update the article!
