How to take care of your console in the Summer: Do this to prevent overheating issues on the PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox
Game consoles are among the electronic devices most affected by heat waves, but there are several simple ways to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
In the middle of summer, with repeated heat waves, both the human body and electronic devices suffer the effects of high temperatures. Video game consoles are particularly vulnerable, as they already operate at high temperatures. Platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S are at risk of malfunctioning if nothing is done to combat the extreme heat threatening them. But don’t worry—we’re here to tell you how to take the best possible care of them.
Tips to Prevent Overheating on the PS5, Switch, and Xbox
- Where to Place Your Console - The most important thing—not just in the summer but all year round—is to place your console in a spot where it can breathe properly. Don’t tuck it away on a shelf or press it up against other devices and surfaces with barely a couple of centimeters of space for ventilation. If it’s on a firm surface with nothing blocking the airflow nearby, it’ll be fine. At the very least, make sure there’s nothing within 10–15 centimeters of the vents where hot air is expelled. It’s also not a good idea to place them on the floor, as this makes it easier for dust to get inside.
- Keep it as cool as possible - For obvious reasons, playing during a heat wave at peak hours or near other sources of heat increases the risk of overheating. There’s nothing better than using it in an area that’s as cool as possible, in the shade, and—if possible—with the air conditioning on.
- Clean the console - If you have the right knowledge and tools, it’s not a bad idea to take the case apart and clean it carefully to remove excess dirt, since a large amount of dust can cause its temperature to rise beyond safe limits. If that’s not the case and you’d rather handle it as little as possible, at the very least, make sure dust and lint don’t accumulate in the ventilation grilles. It’s also a good idea to keep the area around the console clean.
- Use cooling accessories - There is a lot of debate about whether they are actually useful and safe, so our recommendation is that you use them only if they are products licensed by the respective companies; that way, you won’t run the risk of damaging your console.
PS5 and Xbox: Horizontal or Vertical?
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Many users always ask themselves the same question, as they’re unsure whether it’s better to place the console vertically (standing up) or horizontally (lying down). But the answer is very simple: whichever you prefer, as long as your console model supports both positions and you follow the instructions to place it in a spot where it can easily expel hot air through the ventilation grilles. All PS5 and Xbox Series X|S models can be placed in either position. In the case of the Switch and Switch 2, the only way to set them up—when you’re not playing in handheld mode—is by inserting them into the Nintendo dock, so there’s no issue.
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