A few simple steps to follow to take care of your Game Console.
In more than ten years of out-of-warranty console repairs, we have had the opportunity to carry out many service interventions on our customers’ game consoles, and we have noticed that very often the problems are caused by the identical carelessness of the owners.
How to make the console last longer
We decided to make a small guide, with five simple steps to follow to extend the life of your console:
Position of the Console
Console power supply
Take care of the processor
Cleaning the Console
Movements and inactivity
1 – Position of the Console
Incorrect console position
The position of the consoles is very important. Often they are badly positioned, without taking into consideration a fundamental step: The console must “breathe”.
THE GAMING CONSOLES ARE DESIGNED WITH VENTILATION SYSTEMS THAT GUARANTEE THE OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE EVEN AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF USE.
The hot air that forms inside the appliance is expelled through openings on the sides or back.
It is strongly not recommended to place it inside too narrow TV cabinets , because they are closed at the sides and prevent heat dispersion, with subsequent and dangerous overheating.
No objects should be placed above, below or to the side of the console.
Do not smoke near the console. The smoke would penetrate inside causing damage that may be irreparable.
Keep drinks and other bottled liquids away from the console.
Correct position of the console
The ideal is to place the console next to the TV , in a stable, dry position and not too close to the edges of the cabinet, or in a TV cabinet with a space large enough to allow heat to escape.
WE RECOMMEND AT LEAST 10 CM OF DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CONSOLE AND OTHER NEARBY OBJECTS, OF ANY TYPE, WHETHER THEY ARE ACCESSORIES OR PARTS OF FURNITURE.
This distance must increase in case of proximity of electromagnetic devices and sources of heat or cold (radiators, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.).
Avoid direct sunlight hitting the console.
The vertical position of the console should only be used if provided by the manufacturer.
Vertical Position Example: The Nintendo Wii console can also be positioned vertically.
Example Correct Position: In this photo taken during one of our Tournaments you can see a PS4 Console positioned correctly, next to the TV, in a stable manner and away from other objects, favoring ventilation and avoiding overheating despite several hours of use.
A brief summary follows
What NOT to do:
- Do not place the console in confined spaces;
- Avoid placing the console in humid places or near direct heat sources.
What to do:
- Promote ventilation through the air intakes on the sides and back of the console;
- Place the console in a rigid, stable, dry location that is well ventilated and away from other objects.
2 – Console power supply
Uninterruptible power supply for console
The console must be powered properly.
Avoid inserting the power plug into a wall socket, but use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) .
The UPS converts alternating current into direct current, saving the console from damage caused by “power surges” or sudden blackouts that suddenly cut the power supply.
There are several UPS models on the market. For a console, even a new generation one, one of a domestic one is enough, usually used for PCs, with a cost accessible to all.
Alternatively, you can use a high quality compact countertop power strip (power strip) with switches. The cost is lower, as is the reliability.
What NOT to do:
- DO NOT insert the power plug of the power supply into wall sockets.
What to do:
- Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
3 – Take care of the processor
The processor is a key component for the console to function properly. It is connected to the motherboard at the bottom. A layer of thermal paste is applied on top of it which connects it to the heat sink .
With the passage of time, the thermal paste tends to dry out and harden , interrupting its work of diffusion of cooling. As a result, the underlying processor will work at high temperatures and eventually become damaged.
To remedy this, it is necessary to replace the thermal paste about once every two years.
AVOID DISASSEMBLING YOUR CONSOLE AND TRYING TO CARRY OUT THE OPERATION YOURSELF.
Improperly performed thermal paste replacement surgery can damage the motherboard.
Commission the intervention exclusively to specialized centers that use quality products. For example, our service lab staff use Arctic products .
Thermal Paste Replacement Example: In this photo taken at our Service Lab, the replacement of the thermal paste on a PS4 console is in progress.
What NOT to do:
- DO NOT disassemble the newly purchased console (the manufacturer’s warranty would be invalidated);
- DO NOT try to replace the thermal paste yourself.
What to do:
- Contact only professionals in the sector every two years;
- Entrust your console only to Specialized Technical Assistance Centers for consoles making sure of the high quality of the products used.
4 – Cleaning the console
Cleaning electronics products is very important . Dust can cause excess heat in consoles, blocking the vents with subsequent console heating.
To avoid problems you simply need to periodically carry out proper cleaning .
Turn off the console and disconnect all cables.
To clean the outside, use a microfiber cloth or baby wipes, without using liquid products, which could penetrate inside, creating oxidation damage that is difficult to remove.
To clean the inside of consoles, use only products specifically designed for electronics, such as cans of compressed air. Place the nozzle of the can on the ventilation openings and use 5 bursts of air lasting 8/10 seconds.
There are special cleaning kits to clean the optical lens on consoles.
Never disassemble the console, trying to manually clean it inside : inexperienced hands could easily cause damage to the internal components.
One of the best-selling kits is the Wii Lens Cleaning Kit. This is an Official Nintendo product
What NOT to do:
- DO NOT use aggressive products;
- DO NOT disassemble the console.
What to do:
- Clean the console periodically;
- Use specific cleaning products.
5 – Movements and inactivity
Always handle the console with care . Before moving it, make sure there is no disc inside, as the disc and console may be damaged when moving. Also, before moving the console, make sure it is turned off and all cables are disconnected.
If you do not plan to use the console for a long time, it must be stored in its packaging . First you need to remove the disks and put them back in their cases, then turn off the console, remove the hard disk and other storage media, disconnect all cables and accessories and put everything back in the box.
What NOT to do:
- DO NOT leave discs inside and the console turned on when moving.
What to do:
- Always remove discs from inside the console, always unplug cables, and store the console and accessories when not in use for an extended period.
Conclusions
By following these five simple steps you can really extend the life of your console. If you found this guide useful, don’t forget to suggest it to your gamer friends.
