Is It Normal For The PS3 To...

jArgHA

I have had my PS3 for less than a week and for the past 2 nights, after it has been turned on for about 30-45minutes, the fan becomes extremely loud and sounds like it is working to the max. This didn't happen the first few days I had the console, even during long (3 hour) gaming sessions.

Sometimes after the fan (which sounds like a hairdryer when going at full blast) does go back to a more silent mode after being at full-speed for about half an hour. It doesn't sound healthy to me though and just wondered if anyone else was experiencing the same problem.

To give an idea of the decibel level of the noise - I have to turn up the volume of GTA4 so I can hear what's going on when the fan starts to do this...

Otacon

jArgHA wrote: »

I have had my PS3 for less than a week and for the past 2 nights, after it has been turned on for about 30-45minutes, the fan becomes extremely loud and sounds like it is working to the max. This didn't happen the first few days I had the console, even during long (3 hour) gaming sessions.

Sometimes after the fan (which sounds like a hairdryer when going at full blast) does go back to a more silent mode after being at full-speed for about half an hour. It doesn't sound healthy to me though and just wondered if anyone else was experiencing the same problem.

The fan tends to be pretty quiet on my machine. Sounds to me that the noise is coming from the disc drive. The fact that you mention GTA4 which also tends to read from the disc quite a lot, suggests it might be this.

jArgHA wrote: »

To give an idea of the decibel level of the noise - I have to turn up the volume of GTA4 so I can hear what's going on when the fan starts to do this...

GTA4's volume tends to be low anyway!?

savemejebus

That's not normal man, if i were you i'd back up my hdd to an external drive and return it for a replacement.

jArgHA

Otacon wrote: »

The fan tends to be pretty quiet on my machine. Sounds to me that the noise is coming from the disc drive. The fact that you mention GTA4 which also tends to read from the disc quite a lot, suggests it might be this.

no this is definitely not the disc drive, I know what the fan sounds like (recently replaced a dodgy CPU fan that was extremely noisy, and this sounds just the same). I have my PS3 in the vertical position on a carpet which tends to be quite dusty - maybe this is contributing to the issue (although I've only had the console for 5 days)?

Otacon

Hmm, on second thought, do as savemejebus suggests. I think there's a back up option in the systems dropdown list (or whatever you call those headings/areas/things!)

Kintarō Hattori

Otacon wrote: »

Hmm, on second thought, do as savemejebus suggests. I think there's a back up option in the systems dropdown list (or whatever you call those headings/areas/things!)

The XMB.

Otacon

Yeah I know that but what would you call Game, System, Photo, Music, Network etc.?

XMB is the whole thing.

Kintarō Hattori

Otacon wrote: »

Yeah I know that but what would you call Game, System, Photo, Music, Network etc.?

XMB is the whole thing.

Tabs I guess.

qz

DMB anyone?

gloobag

Where is the PS3 situated exactly when it does this? It sounds like it's running the diagnostic, which will happen if the PS3 isn't getting enough ventilation. If you have the unit stood upright, make sure it's not standing on the side with the ventilation grill. Also, make sure the console isn't situated in a confined space (like a media unit). The PS3 should be left out in the open in order to get proper ventilation. Mine is sitting horizontally on my desk, and is as quiet as a mouse.

RangeR

It's definitely not normal. All the PS3 that I've personally seen are whisper quiet. I even run Folding@Home all the time that I'm not using it for other stuff. Not a sausage out of it. Again, whisper quite, even after a full 12 hours of folding.

I have mins in a nice cool airy room, though.

jArgHA

gloobag wrote: »

Where is the PS3 situated exactly when it does this? It sounds like it's running the diagnostic, which will happen if the PS3 isn't getting enough ventilation. If you have the unit stood upright, make sure it's not standing on the side with the ventilation grill. Also, make sure the console isn't situated in a confined space (like a media unit). The PS3 should be left out in the open in order to get proper ventilation. Mine is sitting horizontally on my desk, and is as quiet as a mouse.

Ah that could be the problem so! my PS3 is vertical position, vent side up, but it is in front of my desk and directly beside my PC, with me sitting to the other side of it... Thank's for the tip, I'll try and move it to a more spacious / cooler position and see if the problem continues to occur.

jAH

savemejebus

I would be sceptical about position being the problem. Otherwise you'd hear lots about it. The ps3 doesn't overheat normally, even in enclosed spaces. I can remember reading plenty of threads here about ps3's with dodgy thermostats which meant fans working overtime.

You've only got a limited amount of time when you can get a straight swap for a replacement console from stores (28 days usually) after that you're at the mercy of shops and sony's repair process.

If i were you i'd back up your settings, return it and get a new one. better to be safe than sorry.

johnny_adidas

mine does the same, if its on a long time or the room temp is up. its in a unit so the air prob isnt circulating around it enough. didnt think it'd mean the end of the world if it does do it though, id be more worried/ think it was faulty if the fan didnt kick in when it needed to

jArgHA

savemejebus wrote: »

I would be sceptical about position being the problem. Otherwise you'd hear lots about it. The ps3 doesn't overheat normally, even in enclosed spaces. I can remember reading plenty of threads here about ps3's with dodgy thermostats which meant fans working overtime.

You've only got a limited amount of time when you can get a straight swap for a replacement console from stores (28 days usually) after that you're at the mercy of shops and sony's repair process.

If i were you i'd back up your settings, return it and get a new one. better to be safe than sorry.

yeah I might return it in the next few days. I bought the PS3 GTA4 bundle in Tesco so hopefully that won't complicate things - may have to swap the entire bundle which means they'd have to have another bundle in stock (I got their last one at the time)..

311

High room temperature causes my ps3 fans to come on 100%

I find when I open a window or two and give it a break ,it gets back to normal.

Rb

I haven't noticed any of the above, and at times my sitting room can get absolutely roasting.

Like was said above, if it's making a lot of noise, back it up and ask for a replacement.

phill106

happened to me a few times yesterday, also playing gta. ps3 was upright, and in an airconditioned room. Didnt go to 100% fan id say, more like..60%?

jArgHA

I moved the PS3 yesterday to a more clutter-free spot, and had the windows open and during a 2 hour GTA4 session I didn't hear the fan become as noisy as it had been previously. I'll be keepin an ear on it and if it happens again will look into a replacement.

qz

As sexy and all as the PS3 looks on it's side, I assume it's better for the machine and discs inside to lie flat and run that way?

Flaccus

I didn't read all through this thread but I had the same issue.

The ps3 actually has 4 fan settings, and each one is set to come on depending on temperature obviously. So if your ps3 isn't well ventillated or you are playing in a very warm room the fan will tend to step up a lot quicker. Normal behaviour for the the ps3 is usually to start out on fan setting1 and if doing nothing or browsing the web and you are not in a very warm room it tends to stay on this setting. Virtually inaudible. Setting 2 comes into play at around 29-32 degrees I believe. This is normal for most users. Happens when gaming after a few minutes, and even watching BD's somtimes. Not too noticeable either but definitely not silent as some people have said. All PS3's I have come across generally operate at this level and can occasionally hit fan level 3 (above 40) if things get a bit intense, but within about 15 minutes of quitting out of a game usually drop back to level 1.

What is happening this user and it happened me, is the fan is probably hitting level 4 - hairdryer level, within a few minutes. 2 things cause this. Bad ventialation which forces the diagnostic to run, or more commonly if the thermistor or the values are set incorrectly fopr the fan. Once you hit 30 degrees it tends to whack itself up to level 4, and stays there even after quitting a game and can take 30 minutes or so to drop down to level 1 or 2. If you google it a bit this was an issue with some of the early 40gig models having this problem. I returned it to gamestop and they happily replaced it. The original poster should do the same since there is no user fix possible.

jArgHA

Flaccus wrote: »

I didn't read all through this thread but I had the same issue.

The ps3 actually has 4 fan settings, and each one is set to come on depending on temperature obviously. So if your ps3 isn't well ventillated or you are playing in a very warm room the fan will tend to step up a lot quicker. Normal behaviour for the the ps3 is usually to start out on fan setting1 and if doing nothing or browsing the web and you are not in a very warm room it tends to stay on this setting. Virtually inaudible. Setting 2 comes into play at around 29-32 degrees I believe. This is normal for most users. Happens when gaming after a few minutes, and even watching BD's somtimes. Not too noticeable either but definitely not silent as some people have said. All PS3's I have come across generally operate at this level and can occasionally hit fan level 3 (above 40) if things get a bit intense, but within about 15 minutes of quitting out of a game usually drop back to level 1.

What is happening this user and it happened me, is the fan is probably hitting level 4 - hairdryer level, within a few minutes. 2 things cause this. Bad ventialation which forces the diagnostic to run, or more commonly if the thermistor or the values are set incorrectly fopr the fan. Once you hit 30 degrees it tends to whack itself up to level 4, and stays there even after quitting a game and can take 30 minutes or so to drop down to level 1 or 2. If you google it a bit this was an issue with some of the early 40gig models having this problem. I returned it to gamestop and they happily replaced it. The original poster should do the same since there is no user fix possible.

thank you for the extremely informative post Flaccus, I will be taking your advice!