When it comes to electronic devices, it is always a good idea to learn how to take them apart. For example, if your PS4 Slim is experiencing issues, you might need to open it up to clean it or repair it. This guide will show you how to safely disassemble your PS4 Slim so that you can work on it.
Before you start, it is important to gather the tools you will need. You will need a Phillips #0 screwdriver, a T8 Torx screwdriver, and a spudger. Once you have your tools, you can begin the disassembly process. Make sure to keep track of all the screws you remove, as putting your PS4 Slim back together will require using them again.
First, you will need to remove the top cover of the PS4 Slim. To do this, use the Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the screw that is located on the back of the console, next to the power port. Once the screw is removed, you can lift the top cover off of the console. Be careful not to damage the ribbon cable that connects the top cover to the motherboard.
Prepping for Disassembly
Essential Tools and Materials
Before embarking on the disassembly process, gather the necessary tools and materials to ensure a smooth and successful operation. These include:
- Phillips #00 Screwdriver
- Torx T8 Security Screwdriver
- Plastic Pry Tools
- Isopropyl Alcohol (Optional)
- Cotton Swabs (Optional)
- Anti-Static Wrist Strap (Recommended)
- Magnetic Screw Tray (Recommended)
Safety Precautions
Prior to disassembly, observe the following safety precautions to minimize the risk of damage or injury:
- Power down and unplug the PlayStation 4 Slim.
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage.
- Work on a stable and well-lit surface.
- Avoid touching sensitive components, such as the motherboard or hard drive.
- Handle screws carefully and keep them organized in a magnetic screw tray.
Surface Preparation
To ensure a clean and organized workspace, the following surface preparation steps are recommended:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Clear a spacious area on your work surface. |
| 2 | Lay down a clean cloth or anti-static mat to protect the work surface and PlayStation 4 Slim. |
| 3 | Set up a Magnetic Screw Tray nearby to store the screws you remove. |
| 4 | Place the PlayStation 4 Slim on the prepared surface, upside down. |
Removing the Front Casing
Begin by carefully flipping the PS4 Slim upside down and resting it on a soft, clean surface. Locate the three rubber feet on the bottom of the console. Gently pry each one off using a plastic pry tool or your fingernails.
Next, remove the two screws that were hidden under the rubber feet. These screws are typically Phillips #0 screws. Once the screws are removed, the front casing can be lifted off. Grip the casing along the edges and gently pull it towards you. There may be some resistance from the clips that hold the casing in place, but it should come off easily with a little effort.
Cautions When Removing the Casing
When removing the front casing, be sure to handle it with care to avoid damaging the clips or the plastic housing. If the casing does not come off easily, do not force it. Instead, check for any remaining screws or clips that may still be attached. It is also important to avoid touching the circuit board inside the console, as static electricity can damage the components.
| Caution | Description |
|---|---|
| Avoid forcing the casing | If the casing does not come off easily, check for remaining screws or clips. |
| Handle with care | Avoid damaging the clips or plastic housing. |
| Avoid touching the circuit board | Static electricity can damage the components. |
Accessing the Power Supply
To access the power supply, you’ll need to remove the back cover of the PS4 Slim. To do this, locate the screw on the back of the console, just below the power button. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw. Once the screw is removed, you can slide the back cover off the console.
Removing the Power Supply
Once the back cover is removed, you’ll see the power supply. It’s held in place by four screws. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws. Once the screws are removed, you can lift the power supply out of the console.
Disconnecting the Power Supply
Once the power supply is removed, you’ll need to disconnect it from the console. To do this, locate the power connector on the back of the console. It’s a white connector with two wires coming out of it. Use your fingers to squeeze the sides of the connector and pull it straight out of the console.
| Screw Location | Screw Type |
|---|---|
| Back of the console, just below the power button | Phillips head |
| Securing the power supply | Phillips head |
Detaching the Hard Drive
Detaching the hard drive from a PS4 Slim requires some precision and care. Here are the detailed steps:
1. Power Off and Unplug the PS4
Before beginning, ensure the PS4 is completely powered off and disconnected from any power source.
2. Locate the Hard Drive Bay
Flip the PS4 over and locate the hard drive bay on the bottom. It’s a rectangular opening covered by a removable plate.
3. Remove the Hard Drive Bay Plate
Using a Philips #0 screwdriver, unscrew the screw holding the hard drive bay plate in place. Gently lift and remove the plate to expose the hard drive.
4. Disconnect the Hard Drive
The hard drive is connected to the PS4’s motherboard via a SATA cable and power connector. Carefully disconnect both cables from the hard drive:
a. SATA Cable: Gently pull the SATA cable straight up from its connector on the hard drive.
b. Power Connector: Lift the small plastic tab on the power connector and gently pull the connector straight up from the hard drive.
5. Remove the Hard Drive
Once disconnected, the hard drive can be removed. Gently slide it out of the bay towards the back of the PS4 and lift it out.
Removing the Blu-ray Drive
Step 1: Power Down and Unplug the PS4 Slim
Before disassembling the console, ensure it’s powered off and disconnected from any power source.
Step 2: Remove the Top Cover
1. Slide the top cover toward the back of the console.
2. Lift the cover off from the front edge.
Step 3: Disconnect the Blu-ray Drive Ribbon Cable
1. Locate the ribbon cable connecting the Blu-ray drive to the motherboard.
2. Use a spudger or your fingernail to gently pry up the latch securing the cable.
3. Carefully pull the ribbon cable straight out from its connector.
Step 4: Unscrew the Blu-ray Drive Mounting Screws
1. Remove the two screws securing the Blu-ray drive to the chassis.
2. Place the screws in a safe place to avoid losing them.
Step 5: Lift Out the Blu-ray Drive
| Caution: The Blu-ray drive may be delicate. Handle it with care. |
|---|
|
1. Gently lift the drive straight up and out of the console. |
|
2. Avoid touching the lens or optical components to prevent damage. |
|
3. Set the Blu-ray drive aside on a stable surface. |
Disconnecting the Cables
6. Removing the Power Supply Unit
Disconnecting the cables requires careful attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure the process is done safely and correctly:
- Disconnect the power cable: Locate the power cord connected to the back of the PS4 Slim. Gently grasp the plug and pull it straight out of the wall outlet.
- Unplug the data cable: Identify the HDMI cable or other data cable connected to the PS4 Slim’s front or back. Carefully wiggle the cable side-to-side while pulling it out of the port.
- Remove the Ethernet cable: If an Ethernet cable is connected to the back of the PS4 Slim, unplug it by pressing down on the release tab and pulling the cable out.
- Disconnect the USB cables: Locate and unplug any USB cables connected to the USB ports on the front or back of the PS4 Slim.
- Remove the auxiliary cables: Disconnect any additional cables, such as audio cables or optical cables, that may be connected to the PS4 Slim.
- Verify all cables are disconnected: Take a moment to double-check that all cables have been disconnected from the PS4 Slim before proceeding to the next step.
Table: Summary of Cable Disconnection
| Cable Type | Action |
|---|---|
| Power cable | Unplug from wall outlet |
| Data cable (HDMI/other) | Unplug from PS4 Slim port |
| Ethernet cable | Press release tab and unplug |
| USB cables | Unplug from PS4 Slim USB ports |
| Auxiliary cables (audio/optical) | Disconnect from PS4 Slim |
Lifting the Motherboard
Once the screws are removed, you can lift and remove the motherboard from the PS4 Slim. However, it’s important to do this carefully and avoid putting any pressure on other components. Use both hands to hold the sides of the motherboard and lift it gently until the connectors on the bottom are disengaged from the base.
Here are some additional tips for lifting the motherboard:
- Make sure the PS4 Slim is powered off and unplugged.
- Handle the motherboard by the edges, avoiding touching the components on the surface.
- If you encounter any resistance when lifting the motherboard, check to see if there are any cables or connectors that are still attached.
- Do not lift the motherboard by the power supply connector.
- Be careful not to bend or damage the motherboard.
Once the motherboard is lifted, you will need to disconnect the following cables from the bottom of it:
| Connector | Description |
|---|---|
| Power supply connector | Connects the motherboard to the power supply. |
| Blu-ray drive connector | Connects the motherboard to the Blu-ray drive. |
| Hard drive connector | Connects the motherboard to the hard drive. |
| Fan connector | Connects the motherboard to the cooling fan. |
Now, lift and remove the motherboard is now separated from the PS4 Slim base and is ready for repairs or replacement.
Removing the Heat Sink
Once the power supply, hard drive, and optical drive are removed, you can start working on removing the heat sink. This is a crucial step, as you need to be careful not to damage the delicate components underneath.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove the heat sink:
1. Remove the screws holding the heat sink to the motherboard.
There are typically four screws that hold the heat sink in place. Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove these screws.
2. Carefully lift the heat sink straight up.
Be careful not to bump or damage any of the components on the motherboard when lifting the heat sink.
3. Remove the thermal paste from the CPU and heat sink.
Use a cotton swab or a paper towel soaked in isopropyl alcohol to clean the old thermal paste from the CPU and heat sink. Be sure to remove all of the old paste, as this will help ensure good thermal contact between the CPU and the new heat sink.
4. Apply new thermal paste to the CPU.
Use a small pea-sized amount of thermal paste and apply it to the center of the CPU. Be careful not to apply too much thermal paste, as this can lead to overheating.
5. Reinstall the heat sink onto the CPU.
Carefully align the heat sink with the CPU and gently lower it into place. Tighten the screws to secure the heat sink to the motherboard.
6. Reconnect the power cables to the motherboard.
Reconnect the power cables that you removed earlier to power the motherboard and the rest of the components.
7. Test the PS4 Slim to make sure it’s working properly.
Once you’ve reassembled the PS4 Slim, turn it on and test it to make sure it’s working properly. If the PS4 Slim doesn’t turn on or doesn’t work properly, double-check your connections and make sure that all of the components are seated correctly.
8. Troubleshooting tips
If you’re having trouble removing the heat sink, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| The screws are stuck and won’t come out. | Try using a screwdriver with a better grip, or try using a small amount of penetrating oil to loosen the screws. |
| The heat sink is stuck to the CPU and won’t come off. | Try gently rocking the heat sink back and forth to loosen it. You can also try using a heat gun to heat up the heat sink, which will help loosen the thermal paste. |
| I accidentally damaged the CPU or the heat sink. | If you’ve damaged the CPU or the heat sink, you will need to replace it. You can purchase replacement parts from Sony or from a third-party retailer. |
Detaching the CPU and GPU
The CPU and GPU are located on the motherboard of the PS4 Slim. To detach them, you will need to:
- Remove the screws that secure the motherboard to the chassis.
- Carefully lift the motherboard out of the chassis.
- Locate the CPU and GPU on the motherboard. They are large, square chips with heatsinks attached.
- Use a spudger or other pry tool to gently pry the heatsinks off of the CPU and GPU.
- Once the heatsinks are removed, you will see the CPU and GPU dies. They are small, square chips with gold-plated contacts.
- Use a pair of tweezers to carefully lift the CPU and GPU dies out of their sockets.
- Place the CPU and GPU dies in a safe place, such as an anti-static bag.
- Reassemble the PS4 Slim in reverse order.
Note:
The CPU and GPU are delicate components. Be sure to handle them with care to avoid damaging them.
| Tool | Purpose | |
|---|---|---|
| ✔ | Phillips #0 screwdriver | Remove the screws that secure the motherboard to the chassis. |
| ✔ | Spudger | Pry the heatsinks off of the CPU and GPU. |
| ✔ | Tweezers | Lift the CPU and GPU dies out of their sockets. |
Reassembly
Once you have cleaned the components, it’s time to reassemble the PS4 Slim. Follow these steps in reverse order to put everything back together:
- Insert the hard drive back into its bay.
- Screw the hard drive back into place.
- Connect the power supply to the motherboard.
- Secure the power supply with the two screws.
- Connect the fan to the motherboard.
- Secure the fan with the four screws.
- Place the optical drive back into the console.
- Secure the optical drive with the screws.
- Connect the ribbon cables and power connector to the motherboard.
- Place the top cover back on the console.
- Secure the top cover with the screws.
- Turn the console over and place it on its feet.
Testing
Once you have reassembled the PS4 Slim, it’s time to test it to make sure it’s working properly. Follow these steps:
- Plug the console into a power outlet.
- Insert a game disc into the optical drive.
- Turn on the console.
- Wait for the game to load.
- Start playing the game.
If the console is working properly, you should be able to play the game without any problems. If you encounter any issues, you may need to consult a professional for help.
How To Take Apart Ps4 Slim
To take apart a PS4 Slim, you will need the following tools:
- Phillips #0 screwdriver
- Torx T8 screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- Tweezers (optional)
Once you have gathered your tools, follow these steps:
1. Unplug the PS4 Slim from the power outlet and turn it off.
2. Place the PS4 Slim on a flat surface.
3. Use the Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the four screws on the bottom of the PS4 Slim.
4. Lift the top cover of the PS4 Slim off.
5. Use the Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the screw that is located on the right side of the PS4 Slim, near the power button.
6. Lift the plastic cover off of the PS4 Slim.
7. Use the tweezers to remove the ribbon cable that is connected to the power button.
8. Use the plastic spudger to disconnect the other ribbon cables that are connected to the motherboard.
9. Lift the motherboard out of the PS4 Slim.
10. Use the Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the heat sink in place.
11. Lift the heat sink off of the PS4 Slim.
12. Use the plastic spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable that is connected to the fan.
13. Lift the fan out of the PS4 Slim.
14. The PS4 Slim is now disassembled.
