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Playstation 3 Fan Replacement

Archived Guide
This guide is retained solely for historical purposes. Use the updated version of the guide to perform your repair.

Introduction

The whole Playstation 3 is cooled by a single fan on its bottom side. In this guide, we will remove that fan so that it may be cleaned or replaced.

What you need

  1. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Top Cover: step 1, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Top Cover: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the rubber screw cover near the hard drive cover with a spudger.

    Edit

  2. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screw holding the top cover in place with a Torx T10 screwdriver.

    Edit

  3. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the top cover down about half an inch.

    • Lift the cover off of the PS3.

    Edit

  4. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the seven screws in the top cover with a Phillips #2 screwdriver.

    • One of the screws is shorter than the others. The short screw is marked in yellow.

    Edit

  5. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • You can now lift off the top cover.

    Edit

  7. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Power Supply: step 6, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Power Supply: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Unplug the white wires connected to the wireless board. There are two sets of wires: one set in the front, one in the back.

    • Push down the tab on the connector to disconnect the wires.

    • Remove the two screws on the front of the power supply.

    Edit

  8. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screws on the back of the power supply with a Phillips #2 screwdriver.

    Edit

  9. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the power supply by lifting it straight up.

    Edit

  10. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Motherboard Enclosure: step 9, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Motherboard Enclosure: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Unplug the optical drive power cable.

    • Detach the ribbon cable that connects the optical drive to the motherboard.

    • Set the optical drive aside.

    Edit

  11. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove three screws (Phillips #2) from the wireless board and antenna.

    • Detach the ribbon cable that connects the wireless board to the motherboard.

    Edit

  12. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove nine screws (Phillips #2) from the perimeter of the metal plate covering the motherboard.

    Edit

  13. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 Playstation 3 Fan Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the hard drive door with a spudger.

    • Lift the metal enclosure out of the plastic bottom case.

    Edit

  14. Playstation 3 Fan Replacement, Fan: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three screws (Phillips #2).

    • Disconnect the fan's power cable.

    • Lift the fan straight up and out.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

One other person completed this guide.

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