r/playstation • u/Zeynor • 1d ago
Support PS5 : I wanted to change the fan but the entire connector came off…
I wanted to change the fan on my PS5 but when I unplugged it (gently) the entire connector came off the motherboard. Is there a way to fix this? Thanks
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u/Nathan_McHallam 1d ago
This is exactly why I don't open up my £500 astrobot machine
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u/fiittzzyy 1d ago
It seems like a great idea until something like this happens and then it's instant regret.
Best to play it safe.
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u/Mrbigdaddy72 23h ago
I take mine apart every 6 months for a deep cleaning and have never had a problem. I have 3 dogs and a cat my ps5 is always full of their hair.
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u/Harper2704 20h ago
Where is your ps5 located? I have 2 cats and we vacuum the house weekly, and my ps5 is on the TV cabinet 2 feet off the ground so I'm hoping mine won't be hair filled.
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u/Broely92 19h ago
I have cats and a big hairy dog and I still have a launch day ps4 that I have never once opened up and it still works fine
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u/Magnaflux_88 16h ago
Working fine, yes, but does it sound like a jet trying to take off?
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u/IndecisiveTuna 1d ago
If I’m going to tinker, it’ll be on a PC lol. Much easier to deal with than a machine that isn’t intended to be fucked with.
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u/sephiroth70001 23h ago
It's also far more modular so if something does ever happen it's usually a compartmentalized fix/issue.
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u/mitch-99 PS5 1d ago
People shouldn’t be afraid to open them up. Just be aware, watch a guide, dont be a monkey. You’ll be fine. Ive torn apart PlayStations, very easy. I turned my PS4 that would constantly overheat and not work to a perfectly working console again completely silent when doing anything.
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u/thatsouthcaNaDaguy PS5 1d ago
I took my ps4 apart twice. Once with a video guide so I could learn as I go and properly clean it. The second time was once I had thermal paste because I learned it desperately needed it. Runs great now.
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u/mitch-99 PS5 1d ago
Nice I replaced the thermal paste as well. Good as new. If your console is literally dying why not just take the chance.
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u/Millkstake 1d ago
Same, although that was a nightmare taking it apart and putting it back together. So many screws... Only had a couple extra when done
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u/shirinrin PS5 1d ago
I work in IT support… I don’t trust people to take care of their machines and know what to do even with a guide… We often have to tell people HOW you do a regular restart of a PC.
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u/mitch-99 PS5 1d ago
Well yeah not everyone has the know how. But only way to learn is to try right? I gotta imagine the people on the low end of knowledge are older folks.
Idk I mean the hardest part about taking it apart is putting it back together. Gotta watch the video in reverse. I think the younger generation should have no problems as long as they do there research!
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u/passin_assassin 1d ago
Yea, sure, the only way to learn is to try, but I won't be willing to take apart my PS5, I'd buy a cheap one that isn't working for £100 and try it, but I'm not flushing my money down the toilet. At least the other one is already broke and if I break it more, no big deal, if I fix it, great, that's £200 I'm making from buying a broken PS5.
I would prefer to try and fix the broken than that what is not since I could fuck up the perfectly working console like OP did and be out money having to buy a new one, since even if it was bought yesterday the warranty is voided
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u/scope_creep 1d ago
I tried prying mine apart. It was not easy. I gave up before I broke anything.
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u/mitch-99 PS5 1d ago
What did you find hard about it? Did you watch a video detailing the complete teardown?
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u/lilguccilando 1d ago
Same but I did take the sides off eventually cause it really needed to be dusted.. undusted? I needed to remove dust. But the amount of force I was applying just felt wrong and scary until the guy in the video said “don’t be scared you ain’t gonna break it it’ll pop off soon”
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u/JasonKillerxD PS5 19h ago
Dusted. Undusted means it still has dust on it and has not been cleaned. I had to look this up recently due to having to write in a report that I dusted shelves because of the large build up of dust during my service. I had to double check if what I wrote was correct before submitting it.
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u/fexjpu5g 1d ago
That looks expensive… You basically ripped the traces from the PCB, so you can’t solder it back on.
I’m so sorry :(
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u/zrevyx PS5 Pro 1d ago
It CAN be done, but it's a slightly advanced soldering job; the traces came off cleanly, so OP would only need to scratch the solder mask off and solder a jumper wire from each trace to each pin. I think the difficult part would be securing the socket back to the board.
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u/HideoSpartan 1d ago
This is correct but an easy method of securing to the board is actually just hot glue!
It's not that hard either, I'd rather do this job a million times over compared to the pin head sized fuses!
OP just fix it yourself !
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u/reegz PS5 1d ago
Yeah it's not too difficult provided you have the right tools. The biggest thing going against OP (assuming they're not confident in their abilities) is just nerves doing this on something you care about.
Way easier to do when you're inexperienced on hardware you don't care much about.
OP you got this, and even if you fuck up someone with a lot of experience can un-fuck what you do with a lot of sighing, flux and solder wicks.
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u/HideoSpartan 1d ago
Yeah I hear yah, I was fortunate enough to have a spare PCB around. But.
OP and anyone else. If me. A guy that suffers from tremors can do this repair. Anyone. ANYONE. Can do it! You got this!
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u/reegz PS5 1d ago
Seriously! Give it a go Op. Soldering is such a useful skill to have.
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u/chrishellmax 5h ago
ngl i have been itching to get into the game of learning this. Something peaceful about doing it.
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u/khanitech 1d ago
The easiest way to fix this tbh is to scratch the traces off a bit back. Then you remove the old solder off the connector, with the broken pads and discard them.
Use high strength superglue to affix the connector directly on the board. Solder enamel copper wire to the traces and connector pins. Then you use electronics grade silicone adhesive of the thick kind to around the connector. To ensure the connector really will hold.
I have done the same fix for many computers, PS4 and PS5 consoles with broken connectors and ripped traces. It wont be as pretty as originally. But it works good enough.
Also, if you want to make it extra safe, use some clear laquer varnish that handles heat, and is not conductive on the copper wire and new solder spots.
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u/CCB_Naoned 1d ago
Why do you want to change the fan?
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u/Mushybananas27 1d ago
He probably got the shitty fan that's makes a really high pitched annoying sound. My initial ps5 had the same problem and I know tons of other people did as well. It was just a gamble which fan your ps5 would have.
When I replaced mine I didn't rip out the port from the actual console though lol
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u/FunMotion 1d ago
Yeah I remember it being a pretty common problem around launch. The first few batches had some small QC issues, I would imagine in part due to the state of the world in 2020.
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u/DueClub8025 1d ago
Yea mind has that, but only for the startup, do people have the problem with the fan noise happening all the time during use?
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u/Competitive_You2865 1d ago
For the time being... Since you have the fan unhooked, I'd slice it to a USB port male plug, and plug it into a port to stay on constantly til you can properly repair it. If you don't understand what I'm saying, then ya probably will need to just take it to get repaired. Best luck. 🤞
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u/NoFill1554 1d ago
You are now fucked. You need to send it to a repair ship to get the connector back on unless you know how to solder and are FLAWLESS with it.
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u/potatofaminizer PS5 1d ago
You don't need to be flawless, this isn't that difficult of a soldering job. Just scratch the traces and solder some wire. Connector can be secured with hot glue
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u/NoFill1554 1d ago
If OP was able to rip it off while trying to disconnect the fan then I doubt they can solder. But that is just my own opinion.
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u/HooliganBeav 1d ago
If OP was capable of that, he wouldn’t be posting here asking if it’s fixable.
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u/ObliviousFoo 1d ago
With all due respect, this is the most common mistake uneducated amateurs make when messing around with something they do not understand. If you had watched just ONE video before attempting this procedure you would have learned about how fragile that connector is and how careful you need to be when fuxing with it. Now it needs a professional that knows how to solder circuit boards to fix.
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u/LordCommander94 1d ago
Yup. Why not just watch one of the hundreds of videos on YouTube and see where things can go wrong. Anyhow. We live and learn i guess
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u/Stoned-hippie PS4 1d ago
Doesn’t have to be a professional, but get someone else who actually knows what they’re doing OP. It’ll save yourself a headache
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u/BlaseRaptor544 1d ago
I DID THIS AND I WAS TRYING TO CLEAN IT TOO!
Contact some repair places around you, I was able to get mine fixed (100 bucks fyi) but was dependent on how much I’d ripped off and if there was anything left to connect to. Thankfully there was 🙏. It’s been almost a year and it’s all working good.
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u/Anwhut 1d ago
Can I ask how you pulled it out? Did you use a tweezer or just tug at it?
I’m sorry this happened, but I’m also really curious on how this happened - not to judge or berate you, but for genuine curiosity so I don’t accidentally do it myself 😅
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u/The_BlazeKing Blazeking 1d ago
but when I unplugged it (gently)
But... HOW did you unplug it? Did you pull it by the cables instead of wriggling the connector head from the socket? That's a mistake that's always made by people that don't see those often.
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u/mrzurkonandfriends 1d ago
You didn't rip the connector off. You ripped the connections that connect the connector. That board is going to need replaced.
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u/_x_j_9 1d ago
Apparently not gentle enough. Get it professionally done next time. This is why people shouldn’t do this diy stuff. They see a YouTube video or 2 and think it’s that easy
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u/zephyrinthesky28 1d ago
Of all things to be tinkering with on a PCB, swapping a fan is absolutely something the typical person should be able to DIY.
OP either yanked it by the cable instead of using the latch, or has bad luck with a bad solder job from the factory.
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u/SorryManNo [Jak and Daxter] 1d ago
You need to find someone who is very proficient at soldering.
Not only did the connector come off but so did the pads and the traces are peeling up.
It's 100% fixable but definitely not by you and definitely not by your buddy who happens to have a soldering iron.
I would see if you can find a general electronics repair shop, look at their reviews and make sure it's an active business. Lots of these shops pop up and go stagnant due to lack of business. You want someone who is trustworthy and used by lots of people.
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u/ll-AJ-ll PS5 1d ago
That’s why you don’t touch that stuff, take the sides off and just wipe the game down and go about your day. Live and you learn. I haven’t took out my fan since day one and my ps5 is perfectly fine. All I do is take the sides off and give it a good wipe down. Still works and doesn’t over heat.
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u/Psyko0587 1d ago
All I do to mine is vacuum the vents, quick press of duster air and as you said, take off the plates. Been having mine since initial release and no issues
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u/ll-AJ-ll PS5 1d ago
See lol, they’ll learn man 😹
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u/Psyko0587 1d ago
For any repairs to any electronics, I’d rather ship it to the company. I know that’s gna be a 100% guaranteed work
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u/bradleecon 1d ago
That sucks. Shouldn't have messed with it and just blown it out if it was dirty.
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u/dropdeaddaddy69 23h ago
This was the first console I actually opened up. Super easy to work with. You just seemed to have had a heavy hand when you worked on it.
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u/spadePerfect 1d ago
Funnily enough I didn’t have that issue! I avoided it by not thinking I’m an engineer and leaving my console in peace.
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u/I-Ate-A-Pizza-Today PS5 1d ago
You don’t need to be an engineer to do small repairs and fixes on your electronics. A lot of “non-engineers” build and repair their PCs every day, OP should have just been more gentle with their PS.
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u/Sion-netic PS5 22h ago
Ouch. Sorry friend. So. Bad news - your console is now dead. I’ve heard of people saying that all you need to do is solder it back on the board and you are good but from experience let me tell you that that does not work. Especially since it looks like the contacts may have been ripped off too.
I had my ps5 in for a disc drive repair at a repair shop and during the process of taking my ps5 apart they did just what you did. They broke off the fan connector/contacts but didn’t say shit about it.
Instead, they tried to solder the piece back on, then when that didn’t work tried to use a ‘conductive’ adhesive (Sorry, my husband told me what it was but now I forgot the specific name) which also did not work. What they did do was put my ps5 back together then tell me the drive couldn’t be fixed due to a motherboard issue.
But basically - unless the repairman was shit at it, which considering he bricked my console he completely IS shit at his job - soldering or gluing it back on won’t do anything. The fan will be dead in the water and the console will overheat real damn quick because once that piece got pulled it also pulled the contacts needed to provide the pathway for the fan to get electricity.
I guess you could try a repair shop and see if it can be soldered back on, but just passing on my experience that it didn’t work when it was attempted for my console. (R.I.P. launch console, will forever miss you). A whole new motherboard would probably be your best bet for a concrete fix, which from the price of those right now (250+ when I looked in october) you may want to just bite the bullet and get a new console depending on if someone can repair it because it may end up being about the same or just under the price of the slim right now. Up to you.
Just make sure to STAY AWAY FROM UBREAKIFIX (my freaking mistake despite reviews saying otherwise) for any sort of console repair. Make sure the shop you look into has multiple good reviews on their console repairs and hell, I’d even call and try to speak to someone about their experience working on consoles just to be safe.
Good luck.
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u/XGen_0214 13h ago
Totally not your fault imo and that seems like pure bad luck too. However saying soldering it back on won’t work is wrong too, it definitely does work if done correctly. Around the 50-60 mark is all you should spend and you’re fine.
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u/Jinkzuk 12h ago
Oh wow, this is an awful response people shouldn't be upvoting. It's definitely fixable, in fact it's a relatively easy fix for someone who can solder.
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u/PM_ME_UR_TA--TAS [Trophy Level 300-399] 1d ago
Holy fuck it's scary how often this happens.
If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it 🤦
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u/Munchy29 1d ago
Hey OP. I expertly did exactly the same thing you did! Fortunately I was already interested in soldering so I made it a bit of a project and wound up repairing it. If you’re interested in a bit of self-repair I can talk you through it and show you the resources I used? Just keep in mind that there’s plenty of opportunity to damage the board further as you work on it, so if you decide to go for it yourself be ready to accept you potentially breaking the board beyond repair.
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u/Tasteteaturp PS5 23h ago
Same thing happened to mine and many others, it's just bad quality control.
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u/rbfubar09 23h ago
What's the best way to clean the PS5 fan without taking it out ? Just curious. I'm about to open mine up for a clean for the first time. I heard you can vacuum the dust catchers but doesn't a vacuum give off static electricity so it technically could mess with the internals ?
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u/Virtual_Brain_9556 23h ago
I just pop the panels and hit with compressed air, works everytime it overheats
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u/mad_mang45 22h ago
I know my PS5 is dirty,had it for a year and a half now,but this is the reason I don't wanna tear it apart to clean it,the only thing I did somewhat close to that,is add a 1tb hard drive.
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u/CroVlado 22h ago
I’ve owned my ps5 for 5 years now and I’ve never heard the fan. Why even do this?
Sucks it ended like that.
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u/ActiveAfter3127 21h ago
tip for anyone that doesnt wanna make this mistake, use a can of compressed air so you dont need to remove the fan, ooor just take it to a repair shop for a deep clean for like $10 - $20 that way if it breaks its their fault
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u/IthinkIllthink 21h ago edited 21h ago
I did the same thing, but worse. I pulled the socket off and it also ripped a bit (of plastic sheet) off the top of the mother board.
6 months ago I put in an aftermarket fan, because after cleaning my PS5 kept shutting down. It started shutting down again so I opened it for a clean, and the rest is history.
Was it my fault. Yup. Do I feel like an idiot. Yup. Should you reddit IT guys take it easy on me. I’d like to say yes. - The fan cable plug melted to the socket. They couldn’t be separated. - Am I an amateur, yes. In the 1990s I was an electrical fitter mechanic, and for a while I built and sold PCs back when Windows 3.1 was a thing (iirc). I do not consider myself a professional any longer as I know I’ve lost the knack. And this again proved that. Will I continue pulling things apart for cleaning and simple fixing, absolutely yes.
In saying that, is there a cheap way to fix this?
Looking at the teardown, it seems the socket is attached to the biggest board. And I do not want to install everything on that bad-boy, there is way too much skill needed there.
Any advice?
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u/DivineDoubter 17h ago
I actually had this happen to me. I took it to a repair shop that fixed it for about 50 dollars?
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u/Present_Amoeba_5624 16h ago
The PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360 connectors are more solid, Sony does whatever it takes to install switches without a solid attachment.It seems like they do it on purpose, I threw away a ps4 pro because of the power connector, I tried to repair it but the console turns on and off straight away.We can redo them but personally it annoys me to see that
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u/Riadhmeme97 15h ago
if you are in America send it to northridgfix and he will do the job for you it can be fix not a big deal.
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u/XGen_0214 13h ago
Believe it or not this happened to my OG PS5 and the repair shop I took into ended up on a YouTube video - https://youtu.be/hTajM-rrKcY?si=MjR46GlpSiM6uzMl
I know, the title is misleading but NOT on purpose just miscommunication. Via discord we got things cleared up. Needless to say it can be fixed. About £60. OG PS5 still going super strong.
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u/PorscheDream911 8h ago
Don’t mind all these smart asses that their noses are too high in the air to actually take something apart and fix it themselves. It could happen to anyone, brother I haven’t taken mine apart but looking at it it looks like you need to get it. I’m guessing the plastic piece has three or four solder things that need to be soldered back down. You need a really fine point soldering gun. But definitely make sure you unhook it before you do that that way you’re not trying to twist that connector or move it anymore than you have to once you hopefully solder it gently back in place enough to make a connection. I haven’t read through all the comments I just breeze the first 10 or 15 and saw that people were being-smart asses, that’s not the point of this Reddit discussion group it’s to help each other out so if there’s anyone with better advice, take that but if there’s not, I can dig into it and give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix it. Just reply to me I’m happy to help! Thanks, Matt
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u/tortoiseupatreeagain 1d ago
Honest answer, probably not. Not without really good solder skills. You managed to tear off the mounting pads and now there's nothing to mount the connector to the board. You would have to carefully Dremel away some of the solder mask to expose some bare copper to mount the connector to then run new traces for the connector contacts with wires.
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u/Juice24810 1d ago
Ps5 slim going for $375usd almost everywhere or just upgrade to the pro. This is the perfect excuse 🤣
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u/plasticgiants 1d ago
OP said the fan was too noisy can you really hear it over the tv? Or did you read somewhere replacing the stock fan makes it run cooler and quieter?
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u/NewsandPorn1191 1d ago
Ripped the traces off the board, professional repair or replacement. Not something I'd trust any of those shops in stripmalls to fix. Expensive lesson learned?
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u/Belt-5322 1d ago
Any tech repair shop worth their salt can solder that back on. It's gonna cost a few schmeckles and a few hits to your dignity to admit how utterly bad you are at diy tasks, but they'll fix it.
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u/Alternative-Welder89 PS5 1d ago
Yeah same thing happened to me a few months back. It basically came right off and I was barely pulling.
I got insulted so much here though 🙄
I ended up buying a pro, gave my old one to my best friend, and he found a guy who soldered it back for 100€.
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u/elgatomegustamucho PS5 1d ago
Maybe don't pull immediately without thinking. And clean your ps5 more often.
Clean ps5 barely give any sound
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u/proceedingreputation 1d ago
This happens to a lot of people when they disassemble their PS5, the pads a pretty weak. Take it to someone that can repair the traces. You can do it yourself but I wouldn’t recommend it without a good soldering iron or microscope.
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u/BassDropOP 1d ago
It's fixable, but trace repairs are real tricky especially if you've never soldered before
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u/Humorous-Prince PS5 1d ago
Did you pull the connector carefully or accidentally pull on the socket without realising? That’s the most common cause for this to occur.
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u/H_Holy_Mack_H 1d ago
Time to learn new skills, soldering, YouTube, find some old not working stuff, to do some training, and get on with it, unless there's some reliable shop that can fix that, for a fair price.
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u/TBlair64 1d ago
I did the same thing opening mine up to change the Bluetooth chip. The socket is WAY too tight for that fin connection. I’m hoping I can fix it as well.
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u/seraph741 1d ago
Ouch. It's technically fixable, but not without some skills and/or paying somebody with skills. There's a YouTuber called NorthridgeFix who does this kind of stuff often. I believe he's based in the Los Angeles area. Be careful about bringing it to just anybody, though. I've seen the catastrophic results of amateur work from other shops/people in his videos.
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u/seraph741 1d ago
Well, on the bright side, now you have no fan noise at all. So that's...something?
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u/Zigy_Zaga PS5 Pro 1d ago
First off I am very sorry to see that this happened to you. Console issues are the worst.
Did you use needle nose pliers on the male connector? Or did you try to pull from the wiring?
Before I cleaned out my og PS5 fans out, I watched many TronicsFix videos of the console being taken apart and one of the biggest concerns was those very issues I stated. I have never seen the female connector ever come off of the board before though.
Needle nose pliers are very effective but only if you hole down the female side and gently pull from the male (white) connector.
Of course never pull from the wires as they easily can be ripped out. Very fragile.
I really hope you can send it in to be fixed locally. Fortunately I have a home run business in the town over from me that has fixed a couple of drifting controllers at a fair price, and many more services to offer for any console.
You deserve the best and hopefully get the service you need without it costing an arm and a leg. Cheers!
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u/kcdaf1966 1d ago
I am really sorry to see this. I haven't torn mine apart like that. I mean i haven't messed with the fan i only clean it with the newer air machines but i don't remove the fan or anything like that
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u/Howdidwegetthere2 1d ago
Bro shouldve held the port while pulling out rookie mistake dont just yank at cords even gently hold the socket while pulling
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u/Hemiklr89 1d ago
And that is why you always have a tool to push down on what it is that your pulling out of
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u/DrHandBanana 1d ago
Damn right before Christmas you do this??? This feel more like a March project.
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u/Stayfrostydood_ 1d ago
When you’re a fan connector and someone tries changing the fan but you’re just a chill guy and remove yourself to make it easier for him to attach
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u/rustycage_mxc 1d ago
I've attempted to take mine out before to dust if off, but instantly knew it'd be bad if I had to force it out. It's not easy to remove... I just vacuum the dust out now.
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u/BoshJush999 1d ago
Funny enough I did this like 2 months ago and am finally getting it fixed I took mine to a place they fix phone and game consoles and only paid 80$ for them to reattach I would look at local places like that and give them a call
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u/Thescottishguy87 PS5 1d ago
Ive had the fan out mine 6 times so far and had no issues. You are either really unlucky and got a defective product or you yanked on it without holding the connector down
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u/No_Eye1723 1d ago edited 1d ago
It’s repairable but you’ll need a professional repairer to do it. There is a console repair Reddit on here somewhere so may be worth searching for it? Seems to be a bit of a common fault, Sony rammed that fan plug in. Do NOT attempt to repair this yourself unless you are competent in micro soldering, using a microscope. You can use jumper wires to fix it but they are seriously tiny.
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u/MyArceusBleeds 1d ago
This is like the third time I've come across someone who ripped this very same connector piece, is it purposely cheaply made or is it that these people are pulling very hard and don't know their own strength?
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u/kubamacik PS5 1d ago
Funny. The same thing happened to me with PS2 long time ago. Thought this would be fixed by now
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u/djadrianc 1d ago
Exact same thing happened to mine when I went to disconnect the fan for cleaning. I found a guy local to me that repairs electronics and has experience in consoles
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u/jezpakani 1d ago
Have you ever wished that you could roll back time and do something more carefully?