Tips for Troubleshooting Your PlayStation 3

Even though the Playstation 3 is one of the moststandard television (which is the default setting)
reliable gaming consoles available, there are issuesbut hooked up to a HDTV television. So make
that can arise. Fortunately, many of thesesure all your PS3 settings are right.
problems can be fixed easily by simple3) Check and clean your PS3 discs. Often the
troubleshooting, and more advanced problems canproblems with reading a game is due to the discs
still often be repaired at home with the rightand the PlayStation itself. If you take proper care
information. Repairing your PS3 at home will saveof your discs by keeping them in their case when
you considerable expense since sending it out fornot in use and out of sunlight and excessive heat,
repairs generally costs a minimum of $100, andyou'll have fewer disc problems. But even with
can take quite a bit of time as well. So it is worthproper care, fingerprints and dust can still interfere
learning how to troubleshoot PS3 problems onwith the PlayStation's ability to read the discs, and
your own.a proper cleaning of the disc is in order.
Here are some basic steps for troubleshooting4) Ventilate your PS3 well. If you see a flashing
PS3 problems:red light, this is often the result of the unit
1) Check your cable connections. Seems obvious,overheating. Make sure the vents are not blocked
right? But a surprising number of PS3 problemswhen playing, and cool your PS3 down before
are caused by lose cables, or by cables not beusing it again.
connected to the correct locations on the5) Do a full system restart. If none of these
television of PlayStation. So, your firstissues diagnosis the problem, or if your PS3
troubleshooting step should be to double or triplesuddenly freezes during play or start up, try to
check all your cable connections and make surerestart the game system by holding the power
they are in the right location and connectedbutton down for 10 seconds until it shuts itself.
securely.Then restart as usual and see if this fixes the
2) Check you PS3 system settings. This isproblem.
particularly true if you are having video or audioIf none of these troubleshooting suggestions
problems. For example, one common "no display"works, it is time to move onto more advanced at
PS3 issue arises when the PS3 is set for ahome PS3 repairs.