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How to fix PS5 M.2 SSD overheating issues

If you are using a M.2 solid state drive for your PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, then you may get the following warning:

  • Temperature Alert
  • Your M.2 SSD is too hot.
  • Close the game, turn off your PS5, and wait until the temperature goes down.

To see how you can potentially fix this overheating issue with the expansion storage drive of your Sony game console, you can take a look at this troubleshooting article at Seeking Tech.

1. The first step we recommend taking is to follow the instructions laid out in the Temperature Alert message.

So, if you PlayStation 5 doesn’t automatically shut down, then you need to turn it off. You then need to leave the console turned off until cools down, which should take at least 15 minutes in most cases.

2. While your system is shut down, you may want to consider removing the metal cover of the M.2 docking bay.

By doing so, heat coming from the expansion solid state drive will dissipate a lot faster. On the other hand, the opened bay will be exposed to dust buildup.

To remove the metal cover, you need to take the following steps:

  • Turn off your PS5 system if you haven’t done so already.
  • Remove the stand, unplug any cables and detach any accessories you have connected to the console.
  • Lay your console down so that the side with the PS logo is at the bottom. The back side of the system, which contain the HDMI and power ports, you should facing you.
  • From your perspective, place your right hand on the bottom right corner of the top-most outer case.
  • Place your left hand on the upper left corner of the top-most outer case.
  • With your right hand, life the bottom right corner of the outer case.
  • Slide the top-most outer case off to the left side.
  • Using a cross head screwdriver, remove the screw holding the M.2 docking bay metal cover in place.
  • You can then remove the metal cover.
  • Afterwards, reattach the top-most outer case by sliding it back in starting from the left side.
  • As long as you occasionally clean dust from inside the console, however, then removing the M.2 metal cover will help fix the overheating issues caused by the M.2 storage drive.

3. You should also make sure that you have a heat sink or heat spreader installed.

If you don’t have one, then we recommend picking up the Sabrent M.2 NVMe Heat Sink for PlayStation 5, which should fit a majority of PS5-compatible solid state drives.

If you are interested, you can purchase the heat sink on Amazon with this link. (#CommissionsEarned).

4. Furthermore, you need to make sure that you keep your PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition system cool as well by giving it plenty of open-air space to help with heat dissipation. Covering your console and/or keeping it cooped up in an enclosed space will cause the internal heat to rise.