Permanent PS3 YLOD fix: How to get your PlayStation 3 working properly again
PS3 YLOD is a very annoying and all too common problem that console owners can experience at any time.
It seems to appear without warning, destroys your in-game scores, ruins the enjoyment of watching Blu-ray movies, and is just generally a nasty problem.
So what’s wrong with PS3 YLOD anyway?
Well, as you probably know by now, the “yellow light of death” it is a hardware issue caused by your PS3 overheating.
This sounds like a very generic statement to make, and in all honesty it is. But there is no single cause of PS3 YLOD, we will cover the reasons in the next section.
You can tell right away that your console is suffering from the error by the small flashing yellow light on the front of the console (it’s the light closest to the outer edge). If you see this light blinking, then your PlayStation 3 has fallen victim to the YLOD.
What Causes PS3 YLOD Problem?
In essence, when the console overheats to such an extent, a few things can happen within the bowels of the machine.
These might be;
- heat expansion – This is where the components that make up the actual hardware can become disconnected from each other due to intense heat buildup within the console. Think of your PS3 as a hamburger. The burger “works” best when the meat, salad and sauce are together. But if one of these ingredients is dropped, the burger (your PS3) “disconnects” and just doesn’t work… I hope that made sense!
- Solder melt – Another possible and much more serious reason is the fusion of the solder. This is where the temperature inside the console gets so hot that the little metal “blobs” of solder melt! This sounds a lot more serious, and believe me it is. If your console has suffered the yellow light of death for this reason, I’m afraid your options will be quite limited.
Simple steps you can follow to resolve YLOD error
A permanent PS3 YLOD fix is actually easier to implement than you might think at first.
First, there are some easy checks and tasks to perform, you should perform these before deciding to do anything. These steps are;
- Give it a break! If you are like me, you love games. And if you’re like me, you can play for hours at a time, sometimes all day. We won’t go into why this is bad for your health, as I’m sure you’re already aware of the tips on this. But your console is electrical equipment that can reach very high temperatures during use. The longer you play, the higher the temperature can rise. So in the first instance of experiencing the YLOD, turn off the console and unplug it from the power outlet. Leave it alone for about 30 minutes to cool down. You may find that this is enough to resolve the issue.
- Air quality – The PS3 is like you in this respect. It works best in cool, clean air. If your room is stuffy and warm inside then it is the perfect combination to cause PS3 YLOD issue. if possible try to keep a window open in your room, check for good air circulation inside the room as well. Keep the console cool with access to fresh air as often as possible
- toiletsConnections? – It is always worth checking the cables between your console and the mains. If the cable is loose, it “might” not be supplying a clean power connection to the console. Ensure all cables between console and power outlet are secure at all times
- The hard drive – Remember we talked about heat expansion in the last section? Well this is a classic example. Remove and insert the PS3 hard drive, as this is a common area where heat expansion can strike. Push it in firmly (but not harshly) and try the console again.
Hopefully, now that you have read this article, you now realize that a permanent PS3 YLOD fix is not only possible, but could also prove to be quite easy to do.