Your PlayStation 4 is a delicate piece of technology. Just like any other device that you use on a daily basis, it needs to be properly maintained in order to keep it running smoothly. One of the most important parts of maintaining your PS4 is keeping it clean.
Your PS4 is a Dust Magnet
Even if you keep your PS4 in a cabinet or entertainment center, it’s going to attract dust. That’s just the way it is with electronics. The good news is that you can clean your PS4 relatively easily.
If you can see dust on the outside of your PS4, chances are there’s even more dust inside. That dust can clog up the fan and prevent proper cooling, which can lead to overheating and potential hardware damage. So it’s important to clean your PS4 regularly, especially if it’s been a while since you last did it.
To clean the outside of your PS4, just use a soft, dry cloth. If there’s any tough dirt or stains, you can dampen the cloth with water (don’t use any cleaning solutions), but be sure to dry the console afterwards so that no moisture gets inside.
To clean the inside of your PS4, you’ll need to open up the console. First, unplug all the cables and power it down completely. Next, unscrew the two thumbscrews on the back of your PS4 (above the USB ports). Carefully lift off the top half of the case so you can access the internals.
Using a can of compressed air, blow out all the dust from inside your PS4. Be sure to get all the nooks and crannies, especially around the fan blades. Once you’re done, replace the top half of the case and screw it back down Tighten each thumbscrew until it’s snug but don’t overdo it or strip them out.
If you want to go one step further, you can remove the hard drive from your PS4 and blow out any dust that may have accumulated inside that chamber as well. Just be careful not to touch any of the circuitry as static electricity can damage sensitive components
Dust Can Cause Your PS4 to Overheat
One of the main reasons why you should clean your PS4 is to prevent dust from causing it to overheat. Dust can build up in the console and block air vents, leading to overheating. If your PS4 overheats, it can damage the internal components and shorten its lifespan. So, it’s important to keep your console clean to prevent this from happening.
Dust can Cause Your PS4 to Malfunction
Dust can cause your PS4 to malfunction because it can build up on the internal components and prevent them from working properly. When your PS4 overheats, it can also cause the dust to melt and form a sticky residue that can further damage the components. If you don’t clean your PS4 regularly, the dust will eventually cause it to stop working altogether.
How to Clean my PS4
Your PS4 works hard for you, and it deserves a break every now and then in the form of a cleaning. You might not think that a video game console could get dirty, but dust and other particles can build up over time and impact performance.
Unplug Your PS4
Unplug your PS4 from the power outlet and disconnect all the wired controllers and gaming headsets from the console. If your device has a removable hard drive, take it out as well.
Use a Soft, Dry Cloth to Dust Your PS4
You should dust your PS4 every time you give it a good cleaning. Use a soft, dry cloth to dust your PS4. If you have a lot of dust, you can use a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment to lightly vacuum the vents on the back of the console. Do not use any kind of cleaning solution; just dust or vacuum.
Use a Can of Compressed Air to Dust Your PS4
Start by unplugging your PS4 from the power outlet. Then, use a can of compressed air to dust your PS4. Be sure to hold the can upright and spray in short bursts to avoid freezing the can. You can also use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your PS4.
Next, clean the buttons on your PS4 controller. Use a cotton swab or Q-tip dampened with rubbing alcohol to clean around the buttons. Be sure to clean in between the cracks of the buttons.
Finally, clean your PS4 console itself. Wipe down the console with a microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Be sure to avoid getting any moisture inside the console. If you do get moisture inside the console, be sure to contact Sony for further instructions.
How Often Should You Clean Your PS4
Clean Your PS4 Once a Month
Most experts recommend that you clean your PS4 once a month. This will help to prevent build-up of dust and other debris that can cause problems with your system. You should also clean your PS4 if it starts to make noise or if the fan appears to be working harder than usual.
To clean your PS4, you will need:
- A soft, dry cloth.
- A can of compressed air (optional).
Start by unplugging your PS4 from the power outlet. Then, use the soft cloth to dust all of the surfaces of your system, including the vents on the back. If you have a can of compressed air, you can use it to blow dust out of the vents. Be sure not to spray the compressed air directly onto any components inside the system, as this could damage them.
Once you have dusted all of the surfaces, plug your PS4 back in and turn it on. Allow it to run for a few minutes so that any dust that may have gotten inside the system can be blown out by the fan.
Clean Your PS4 More Often if you Live in a Dusty Environment
Sony doesn’t give a hard and fast rule for how often you should clean your PS4, but we recommend you give it a wipe down at least every few months to prevent build-up of dust and grime.
If you live in a particularly dusty environment, or if you have pets that shed hair, you may need to clean your PS4 more frequently.
To clean your PS4, start by unplugging all the cords and removing any discs from the console. Then, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the exterior of the PS4. You can use a slightly dampened cloth to remove stubborn dirt or fingerprints.
Next, use compressed air to blow dust out of the vents on the back of the console. Be sure not to use too much air pressure, as this could damage delicate internal components.
Finally, clean the discs themselves with a soft, dry cloth before putting them back in your PS4.
