Sony gaming consoles are out of this world, with the PS5 being no exception. After its release in 2020, this Sony Playstation console received two revisions: the 1100 model in 2021 and the 1200 model in 2022. These revisions have significantly improved thermal performance and the weight of the design.
But regardless of whether you have a PS5 1100 or PS5 1200 (or even if you aren’t sure which you have!), you might find that your console sounds like a jet engine and wonder if it needs repair.
This article will cover some of the most common causes of loud PS5s and clarify which situations might indicate your console needs to be repaired.
Why Does My PS5 Sound Like A Jet Engine?
Does your PS5 console sound like it’s about to take off? Let’s look at the most common reasons why you can’t play your PS5 game without the sound of a jet engine in the background.
1. Your PS5 is Overheating
According to Sony, a console making loud noise indicates that the PS5 fan is working at an increased rate to cool the system effectively. While they advise that the increased fan noise is generally expected, they describe several steps you can take to prevent your device from overheating.
Is it a Problem?
As long as your PS5 can stay adequately cool, it isn’t a problem. But if your console is repeatedly allowed to overheat, you might find that your games slow down or the console randomly shuts off.
In extreme cases, overheating can cause permanent damage to your system. So while the increased PS5 noise isn’t an issue, you should check to ensure that your PS5 can stay cool.
How to Fix
Sony recommends the following steps to prevent overheating:
- Ensure that the console is placed in an open area. The console may suffer impeded air flow if placed next to walls or in a cramped space. There should be a minimum of 10cm of space around each side of the console.
- Check that your console is placed on a proper surface. If your console is placed on an insulating material like a rug or carpet, the heat generated by your PS5 won’t be able to dissipate effectively.
2. Your PS5’s Air Vents Are Obstructed
If your PS5 has been running for an extended period, dust may be blocking airflow from the vents, causing your console to overheat. Luckily, this is a simple issue to resolve.
Is it a Problem?
While dust that builds up over time can impede airflow and negatively impact the performance of your console, it is easy to clean and resolve. You should clean your PS5’s vents regularly to ensure optimal performance.
How to Fix
For safety reasons, you should start by disconnecting the AC power cable from your PS5 console. Then, you can use a low-powered vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air to remove dust that has accumulated in or around the vents of your PS5.
3. Your PS5 Has Faulty Hardware
If your PS5 has a faulty power supply or fan, you may hear extremely loud noises inside the console. It might sound like a loud buzzing noise or have other irregular qualities, but in any case, it will sound quite distinct from the air vents normally functioning.
Before assuming the hardware is the issue, you should also try using a different power cable.
Is it a Problem?
Unfortunately, if your PS5 has faulty hardware, it’s a significant problem. While there’s no telling how much use you’ll be able to get out of the device before it permanently breaks, a PS5 with faulty hardware will undoubtedly keep running into more issues. And unfortunately, PS5s can be damaged in various ways — even by power surges and thunderstorms.
How to Fix
While there are ways to fix a PS5 at home, you shouldn’t attempt it unless you have a lot of experience repairing electronics.
Replacing a faulty power supply is particularly dangerous. And if you open up your console, you’ll also void your warranty.
Unless you’re an expert, you’ll want to seek professional maintenance for your PS5 to diagnose and fix the problem as soon as possible.
4. You’re Playing a Demanding Game
If you’re playing a video game with high-quality graphics and large maps that need to use many of your PS5’s resources, you may find that your console sounds louder than usual.
Is it a Problem?
It isn’t a problem if your PS5 fans are sounding louder than usual while you’re playing resource-intensive video games. But if you want to ensure that you get the best performance and that your console doesn’t overheat, it’s essential to keep up with regular maintenance.
How to Fix
While there aren’t many ways to make your PS5 quieter while playing demanding games, there are a few ways to reduce the noise. You should ensure that the fans can adequately cool the console by keeping them clear of dust and ensuring they have 10cm of space on each side.
If the game provides the option, you can also reduce the graphics quality and adjust other performance settings to make it easier for your PS5 to render the game.
5. Your PS5 is Loudly Buzzing
While the typical ‘jet-engine’ noise results from your console’s cooling fan, some PS5 players have found that their console buzzes at an equally annoying volume. While various factors can cause this, a buzzing noise is most often caused by something being in the way of one of the fans.
Is it a Problem?
Some Playstation users have reported that the loud buzzing noise resulted from a sticker coming loose and getting caught in the fan. But until you can identify what’s causing the buzzing noise, it could very quickly be a catastrophic problem.
How to Fix
Before assuming there’s no cause for concern, you should take your PS5 in for maintenance to determine the noise source. You should avoid trying to fix the console at home since it will void your warranty and risk damaging your PS5 console.
Whether the issue turns out to be a sticker or a failing electronic component, an experienced technician will be able to get your console working as intended in no time.
6. Your Disc Drive Needs An Update
After many users reported hearing strange noises and whirring from the disk drive, Sony made an update that resolved the issue. While firmware updates are typically completed automatically by your PS5 console, there’s a chance you may have to push the update manually.
Is it a Problem?
While an overactive disk drive won’t break your console, listening to it can be annoying and disruptive. And with such a simple fix, this solution is worth a try!
How to Fix
- Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software
- If there’s an update available, you’ll see a prompt to the right of the ‘Update System Software’ selection. While you’re here, you can also choose to toggle whether your Playstation 5 downloads updated files automatically or install updated files automatically.
7. Your Playstation 5 Is Glitching
In some instances, users will encounter short-term whirring, buzzing, and other loud noises due to random bugs and temporary files that cause the console to malfunction.
Is it a Problem?
Without knowing what errors your Playstation is encountering, it’s hard to say whether or not it’s a severe issue. If you find that power cycling the console resolves the problem and the issue doesn’t reoccur, it was probably just a bug. But if you repeatedly deal with the same issue, it might be time to take your console in for maintenance to check for failing components.
How to Fix
You should first attempt to resolve this issue by power cycling your console. As the system restarts, any glitches or temporary files that may have been causing problems will be erased. To complete a power cycle, take the following steps:
- Press and hold the power button of your PS5 until it turns off.
- Unplug all cables to the console, including the HDMI, power cable, controller, external drives, and any other connections. Leave the PS5 unplugged for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Hold the power button to ensure that all power has been drained from the console.
- Plug in the cables and power on your Playstation 5.
What to Do if Nothing is Working
If you haven’t been able to find a solution for your Playstation’s loud noise, it might be time to get help from a qualified technician.
While it might be tempting to work on the console yourself at home, there’s a considerable risk of causing further damage — and unfortunately, if you open the case, you’ll also void your warranty.
Once your PS5 is brought to a qualified technician, they’ll quickly be able to diagnose and repair the issue, allowing you to get back to the video games you love as soon as possible.
Preventive Measures for Console Maintenance
While it’s helpful to know how to react when your PS5 starts acting up, wouldn’t it be even better if you could prevent these issues from happening in the first place? Absolutely! Here are a few key preventive measures you can adopt to keep your console humming along smoothly.
- Regular Cleaning: Keep your console dust-free. As discussed earlier, dust can be a major cause of overheating, so regular clean-ups are crucial. Use a vacuum cleaner or compressed air to clean your vents every few weeks or months depending on your environment. Also, consider using dust covers when the console is not in use.
- Appropriate Placement: Never place your console in closed cabinets or cramped spaces, regardless of convenience. This will block the air flow, potentially causing your console to overheat. Remember to maintain a minimum of 6 inches of space around each side of the console. Also, avoid placing the console on heat insulating materials like a rug or a carpet.
- Regular Software Updates: Sony often releases updates aimed at improving system performance and fixing bugs. Regular updates not only ensure the best possible gaming experience but also help prevent issues from arising. Keep an eye out for any new software releases, and remember to download and install them promptly.
Understand your Console’s Performance Metrics
Normal Fan Noise: While fan noise can be annoying, it’s a sign that your PS5 is effectively cooling itself down. Sony claims that the average noise level for a PS5 under load is around 44 decibels, about as loud as a refrigerator hum. So, if your console is noticeably louder, it might be time to investigate further.
Load on the System: Pay attention to how your console behaves when running different games. A high-demand game will naturally put more strain on the system, resulting in increased fan noise. If the noise is consistently high even with less demanding games, it could signify a problem.
Final Thoughts
It can be frustrating if you’ve been dealing with obnoxious, jet-engine-sounding noise from your PS5. While loud noise is a huge distraction from your games, it might indicate a significant issue with your console.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to address and potentially fix the loud noise at home. Aside from ensuring that the console has proper airflow, you can also employ troubleshooting hacks like firmware updates and power cycles to attempt to resolve the issue. And if you can’t figure it out, plenty of Playstation repair technicians are ready to help you get back to gaming.
The Playstation 5 is a great console, and you must be able to keep yours functioning at its best. If you’ve been dealing with loud jet-engine noise from your PS5, we hope our helpful tips in this article help you fix your console.
FAQs
How often should I clean my PS5?
It depends on the environment where your PS5 is located. If the area is dust-prone, you might want to clean your PS5 every week. In cleaner environments, a monthly cleaning should suffice.
Is it normal for the PS5 to heat up while gaming?
Yes, it’s perfectly normal for the PS5 to heat up during prolonged gaming sessions. However, if it gets excessively hot or shuts down due to overheating, you should take steps to improve cooling.
What should I do if my PS5 is loud?
If your PS5 consistently generates excessive noise, it could indicate a problem. Check for dust buildup, ensure proper ventilation, and see if the noise decreases. If the problem persists, consider professional help.
How can I check if my PS5 software is up to date?
Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software. If there’s an update available, you’ll see a prompt to the right of the ‘Update System Software.’
