PlayStation 5 overheating issues linked to liquid metal failure

Reports from hardware technicians indicate that older PlayStation 5 consoles are experiencing severe overheating issues due to failures in the liquid metal cooling system. A Polish technician, Modyfikator89, has observed a significant number of repairs involving liquid metal degradation, noting that the issue appears to be caused by gallium diffusion.

This chemical process allows gallium to penetrate the protective plating of the heatsink, causing it to react with the copper and create a hard alloy layer. This degradation prevents effective heat transfer from the APU, leading to thermal throttling and system shutdowns.

Crucially, the technician's findings suggest that the console's orientation—whether placed vertically or horizontally—does not prevent this issue. One analyzed unit had been kept strictly in a horizontal position for five years but still suffered from liquid metal leakage and heatsink scarring. While Sony has not issued an official recall, newer models like the PS5 Pro appear to include design refinements, such as grooves in the SoC area, to mitigate these pooling and leakage risks.