PS5 SSD overheating: signs and fixes
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An M.2 SSD in a PS5 overheats mainly for one reason: no heatsink, or one that is not making contact. Sony requires a heat dissipation structure for exactly this. A hot drive protects itself by slowing down, which shows up as long copies and stutter rather than damage. The fix is a properly fitted low-profile heatsink.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Game copies start fast then crawl | Drive throttling from heat |
| Stutter in long sessions | Heatsink missing or thermal pad not touching |
| Bay cover will not close | Heatsink too tall: see the 11.25mm height guide |
Fixing it
- Power off, unplug and remove the drive.
- Check there is a thermal pad between the chips and the heatsink, with its film peeled off.
- If the drive is bare, fit a low-profile PS5 heatsink.
- Refit, making sure the slot cover goes back on: it is part of the airflow path.
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
Related on this site: Thermal throttling, Does the PS5 need a heatsink?, PS5 SSD heatsinks, The 11.25mm height rule.
More to read: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, With heatsink, 2TB, All guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can a PS5 SSD run without a heatsink?
Sony requires one. Without it the drive may throttle.
Will overheating damage my SSD?
Drives slow themselves down to stay within limits, so damage is unlikely, but performance suffers.
Should I leave the PS5 slot cover off for cooling?
No. Refit it as Sony's instructions show.
Do Gen5 SSDs run hotter?
Generally yes, which makes the heatsink matter more.
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