Fan Test/Self Clean PlayStation 3 (Original and Slim)

Written By: Navy Vet 2015
  • Comments: 42
Fan Test/Self Clean PlayStation 3 (Original and Slim)

Difficulty

Very easy

Steps

3

Time Required

30 seconds - 1 minute

Introduction

Hit the button and watch the dust bunnies fly. This will not completely clean the system. Stubborn dirt/dust will remain on the motherboard, heat sink etc. Perform this test every 1-2 months to ensure longevity of your device. Dirt and dust build up is one of the top killers of video game systems.

  1. NOTE: The candle is only behind the PS3 for demonstration purposes. DO NOT put open flames next to your console. The video could only be 30 seconds so I already had my system unplugged when I started recording in order to get the video under the time restraint.

    • NOTE: The candle is only behind the PS3 for demonstration purposes. DO NOT put open flames next to your console. The video could only be 30 seconds so I already had my system unplugged when I started recording in order to get the video under the time restraint.

    • First, make sure your disc drive is empty.

    • (PS3 Fat Only) Turn your PS3 from standby to off by flipping the switch on the back of the system, hold down the eject button and then flip the switch back on.

    • (PS3 Slim Only) Unplug the power cable from the system, hold down the eject button and then plug the cable back in.

    My ps3 super slim spins for half a second and then stops

    Matthew Hutson -

    I did the steps but it did nothing at all

    Devin Vang -

    I cleaned it then did the self clean thing, and it did nothing the fan didn’t do it’s thing. Why???

    Devin Vang -

    This is great! It worked. It’s like half as loud now. I have a ps3 120gb slim

    Vince Craig -

    • Your system will turn on and within a matter of seconds you will hear the fan inside the PS3 begin to spin at a much higher rate than normal. It should run for about 15-20 seconds. In this demonstration the fans run for 16.96 seconds.

    • When complete, the power (red) light will blink (PS3 Fat) or be completely off (PS3 Slim)

    My fan isn't working anymore

    elisa.johnson67 -

    That sucks..

    Navy Vet 2015 -

    That sucks..

    Navy Vet 2015 -

    • (PS3 Fat Only) Hit the switch on the back of your system to off and back to standby. You're done!

    • (PS3 Slim) Unplug your power cord and then plug it back in. You're done!

    • NOTE: If you do not power down/unplug the system after the fan stops spinning the system WON'T turn on. System MUST be reset. HAPPY GAMING!

    Thanks a bunch. Mine only ran for about 10 seconds but the but the fan isn't loud anymore. :)

    ChristeneDavis -

    Awesome! Happy to help :)

    Navy Vet 2015 -

    Thank you…I'm a little behind the times…

    maureengill -

    What if the fans don’t turn on? at all?

    Ben -

Conclusion

Perform this test every 1-2 months to keep your PS3 clean of debris which will help ensure the longevity of your device.

Author

Navy Vet 2015

Member since: 26/06/15

7490 Reputation

31 comments

Doesn't work on superslim eject button just releases the tray not electrical

taipancorbett -

taipancorbett,

Thanks for informing me. Honestly, I've seen this done with the original and personally preformed it on the slim and assumed that it worked with the super slim as well. Looks like I made an ass out of myself. I'll make the corrections to the guide.

Navy Vet 2015 -

That said, it stands to reason that it should have a way to detect an open lid. Has that been tried? Plugging it in with the lid open?

Grayson Conly -

How can we do that on the super slim model? Or what the other option to do this self cleaning?

Tarek Jundi -

I'm afraid I don't know how to preform this test on the super slim. I would search youtube/web searches.

Navy Vet 2015 -

My ps3 will not self clean. I have the original system, and when I switch it back on, it just beeps, but the fan does not run

CJ Kramer -

It works on the slim! Just gotta unplug, hold, replug! Once its done as you said, unplug and replug!

Georgia Sproule -

Of course it does :) it just doesn't work on the SUPER slim (CECH-4000)

Tom -

These fans last long even after much abuse. I just never understood why my CECH-2501 makes 3 beeps during the beginning of the test whereas my CECH-2001 and CECH-2101 doesn't ?

Tom -

I've had my Ps3 for about 5 years, and I've just decided that I wanted to clean out the dust out of my systems to ensure they live longer. Do you recommend still doing this to clean my Ps3 after so many years of neglecting the dust?

Steven T (Archbreaker) -

Absolutely! It should easily remove any loose dust bunnies that are residing inside your system but it won't get the stubborn stuff. You will have to gut the console if you really want to clean it completely.

Navy Vet 2015 -

Furthermore, if you're interested in dust prevention within your systems I would highly recommend purchasing dust covers for them.

Foamy Lizard products are form fitting to the PS4/XB1. I prefer these to Digital Deck Covers but they don't make them for older systems. If you have older systems you want covered, i.e. X360/PS3 etc, defer to the second link. eBay also has a great selection of custom covers for various systems.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_...

https://www.digitaldeckcovers.com/

Navy Vet 2015 -

I’ve had my PS3 for 6 years and I haven’t done this before. Should I do this more than once to make sure it’s clean? I just did it right now and it was very loud and shaking like crazy, probably because of its old age. I’ve had this slim since release the only problems I’ve come to face with is me having to hold it up vertically so it could read discs, I was hoping this would change that.

Alex Orozco -

The fan ramps up at its maximum RPM so it's not uncommon for the systems noise level to increase during this process. However, my system has never rattled like you are describing. I wouldn't think preforming the test again would do any harm but if it's a real concern I'd recommend taking the system apart and cleaning it. The fan test will only remove loose dust/dirt/debris from the system. Anything that's been sitting in there for years will require a small amount of elbow grease to clean this filth.

You could try taking the top cover off, preforming the test and see if you can locate what might be causing the shaking.

Navy Vet 2015 -

I would recommend also that if like me you've had your ps3 for a good could of years and never got it cleaned you have the thermal paste inside the system (it regulates the heat factor to avoid system from over heating) checked and change if need be. I did and found that the thermal paste in my system had dried out due to to dust build up

kusa mata -

Our system will flash a message while in game play saying it's overheating then it shuts off shortly after but the odd thing is we won't even be paying it that long before it does that. Would this cleaning fix that or do you know what the problem could be that's causing it & how we can fix it ?

Brittney Bass -

Brittney, it’s hard to say if this will solve the problem. It’s possible your system needs more work than a cleaning. However, start with this tutorial. If it still overheats take the top lid off and hit it with a can or air to remove further debris. If cleaning the system doesn’t resolve your issue then I’d advise seeking help in another repair guide.

Navy Vet 2015 -

Was really helpful, thanks. I have a ps3 slim (or 2 for that matter. One broken one works). Anyways on the older one the red light goes out after this but on the new one it blinks for some reason. Dunno why but i thought it's funny so i shared it XD

Fluffyshade LP -

I did this and now my ps3 won't read discs can anyone help?

Micbel Fraser -

I'm afraid I haven't had this issue. Unsure what might have caused this. Have you attempted to open and investigate the problem?

Navy Vet 2015 -

there's no ejection button on my Slim

Tim Tolbert -

Then go find a replacement. You've got higher priorities before preforming this

Navy Vet 2015 -

This is fake I think because it's not working on my ps3 slim and I'm freaking out

xristoskiouftis -

That's a bold claim seeing as 28 others have marked that they have successfully followed these steps. 75k have viewed this page and while some can't get it to work, none have made the claim this is fake. If it was I'm quite sure ifixit would remove my post.

Navy Vet 2015 -

Has anybody figured out how to do this on the super slim model yet?? Been searching everywhere, no luck so far.

Miciah Bowker -

What if you forget to take out the disc?

Icius Zenith -

Pls need urgent help, my PS3 original is just flashing red light and stop immediately some minutes into game play can this solve it….or what can I do to stop it..I love it so much just couldn't loose it…..

Adex -

I have a fat backwards compatible PS3 the fan test and clean dose not work it just beeps 3 times and nothing just like when you check and there is no disk in what needs to be done? I am also having a problem during game play only with a disk it shuts down and flashes red any advice for that?

Donald Avery -

No one answered this question I have the original ps3 that also plays ps1 and 2 games. I've tried to run the self cleaning process and it just beeps at me with a flashing red light! What should I do?

Kelsey -

Hello there,

I have the original PS3 model (the one that is all black, no silver stripe, and didn't have WiFi - CECHB01). When I try to do this, it just beeps and never turns on. Is there another method for this original launch model?

Thanks!

ANDREW COOPER -

Thank you so much, my ps3 sounded more like an aircraft carrier and kept turning off 😊 saved the day.

Charley Anne-x -