PSLS Help Desk - How to Clean PS4 Fan

In this week’s edition of PSLS Help Desk, the PlayStation LifeStyle crew talks about cleaning your PlayStation 4 console. While some might see this as just getting a cloth and wiping dust off the console, it’s not as plain as that if you want to really clean it.

Below are tips and suggestions from the staff on how to clean and maintain your PS4 so that it’s in top working condition.

Mack: Compressed air, ftw! Keep it clean to keep temperatures low. PS4’s performance can drop if it’s too hot and it turns off if it’s overheating.

Generally, hoover and dust your room at least once a week. Your electronics will thank you.

Heath Hindman: I’m not joking: I put mine back in the original box and stow it in the closet when I’m not using it.

It’s a minor inconvenience, and there might be something wrong with me, but you know what there’s not something wrong with? My PS4.

(Actually my odd habit it symptomatic of living in Japan and not having what most would refer to as an “entertainment center.”)

Zarmena: One tip – the HDD bay cover slides off and sometimes dust can get caught up underneath it. You can use compressed air or a small blower to get that stuff out.

Make sure your PS4 isn’t under warranty when you do this (unless you don’t care about warranty) but under those little warranty seals at the back of the console are screws that allow you to open it up. The fan doesn’t require you to open the whole thing up and is relatively easier to get to than the PS3. Don’t be afraid to follow a YouTube video. Once you get to the fan, again – dust blower or compressed air will do the trick. I sometimes also use q-tips for thorough cleaning. This is a process that doesn’t need to be repeated often unless you have your PS4 in an area that catches a lot of dust (not recommended, of course). I mean, I’ve only done it once since I bought my launch console. But beware that this WILL void your warranty.

Externally, be careful when cleaning the HDD bay cover. Many people don’t realize that it can easily get scratched. Microfiber cloth is the way to go.

PS: Give your controller a little bit of cleaning every now and then too. That one often gets ignored and I’ve seen people with the filthiest controllers ever. Again, I sometimes use a q-tip to get under the thumbsticks. The rest is straightforward and is self explanatory.

We hope this helps you clean — and maintain — your PS4. Granted, it’s a sturdy piece of hardware, but a little more TLC on your console will help ensure it lasts until the next console generation.

Do you have any tech or game questions you want answered by the PSLS staff? Or maybe you have your own set of tips on how to properly clean your PS4? You can share your comments, suggestions and feedback in the comments below.

Essential Reading:

Games With Tacked on Multiplayer That's Actually Good

Games With Tacked on Multiplayer That's Actually Good
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

While Assassin's Creed's signature competitive multiplayer has been missing from recent installments, it really shined in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It was one of the best takes on multiplayer stealth yet, which isn't seen very often. You also get to virtually cosplay as a pirate, so it's highly recommended even if Edward Kenway's adventure is the real draw in Black Flag.
Batman: Arkham Origins

While nobody was really asking for a multiplayer to Warner Bros.' excellent Batman series, Batman: Arkham Origins offered one up anyhow. It has the unique hook of having Bane and Joker thugs fighting, while Batman also lurks in the shadows attempting to end their night of crime. This is surprisingly fun, and letting your enemies take each other out is always a satisfying strategy.
Dragon Age: Inquisition

One of Dragon Age: Inquisition's coolest features is the game's cooperative mode (that can also be played solo if you don't play well with others). This dungeon crawl has players teaming up in order to battle enemies, and there's three separate campaigns. It's a separate experience from the single-player, but it's still a really fun way to experience Dragon Age with your friends.
DOOM

While DOOM features three distinct modes, the campaign is the real focus. That said, it does feature a lot of cool stuff that justifies the inclusion of multiplayer. For example, the two round-based modes, Freeze Tag and Clan Arena, really standout when compared to other console shooters. The game's creation tool set, SnapMap, also supports multiplayer, and allows players to play cooperative levels (or just ring a cowbell).
Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V's online has been constantly evolving since the game released. Not only have new features been added to it, such as online heists, it continues to be upgraded to this day. Wrecking shop in San Andreas is a blast online, and it's great to see Rockstar coming up with plenty of reasons for players to jump back in.
The Last of Us

Naughty Dog really outdid themselves with the multiplayer in The Last of Us. Sure, it seems out-of-place considering how emotionally draining the campaign is, but there's a really satisfying third-person shooter here. One of the really nice touches is how you can populate your clan by using Facebook. Naughty Dog has always toyed with integrating social media (anyone remember the awful Uncharted auto-tweets?), but this actually worked.
Mass Effect 3

Like Dragon Age: Inquisition, Mass Effect 3 features a separated multiplayer component. Called Galaxy at War, the mode allows a group of four to tackle on exclusive missions. This horde mode features 15 different maps, and the wave-based combat requires both quick reflexes and strategy to succeed.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

While the microtransactions will make you roll your eyes, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain's online mode is a ton of fun. This isn't much of a surprise, since the game plays so damn well, and there's a special joy that's triggered when you fulton another living person and not just a computer controlled character. Even the health club company that published the game can't ruin this mode.
Tomb Raider

While it's missing from its sequel, the reboot of Tomb Raider had a sneakily good multiplayer mode. The four versus four multiplayer really shined due to the game's destructible environments and solid gunplay (or more realistically how much fun the bow and arrow is to use).
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End features the Uncharted series' best shooting yet, and enhanced melee combat. That great gameplay carries over to the multiplayer side. While it won't give Overwatch something to worry about, there's still good fun to be had here. Plus, it's dumb fun to see Uncharted characters doing wacky dances.