PlayStation 5 major system error is melting USB ports

When we say that the PlayStation 5 is one of the hottest consoles on the market, we never meant it like this!

Taking inspiration (maybe, maybe not) from the ‘toxic acid man’ from the 1987 cult-classic RoboCop and the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’ from The Land of Oz, gamers are reporting that a major system error is melting the USB ports of PlayStation 5 consoles.

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As reported by cnet.com (via Kotaku), USB ports are reportedly melting following extended gameplay sessions. The major system error was made known during the Evo tournament in Las Vegas, last weekend. Evo is an event in which gamers from across the world get together to compete against the best players in fighting games such as Street Fighter 6, Tekken 7 and more.

Console overheating is nothing new, it’s an issue that has been apparent for years, no matter the brand. Thankfully, however, as we’ve progressed into modern times, that issue has been less frequent, albeit not gone entirely. That being said, it’s always wise to store your console in a well-ventilated room, preferably in a somewhat elevated position so that the console can breathe from all angles.

Unfortunately, keeping consoles well-ventilated on a major tournament stage is perhaps not quite as easy compared to when being at home, especially when those consoles are being used all day over an intense weekend of competitive action for big money prizes.

As the article from cnet.com states, the PS5 only has one USB-A port located at the front of the console, with other ports located at the rear. What’s more, due to the PS5 generating heat from the rear, when those USB ports are being used for arcade sticks and controllers all day, overheating can quickly become an issue. So much so, that it may even melt the plastic inside of USB ports.

An image of a melted USB port was shared by Twitter user and content creator @cloudraven, in response to someone highlighting the issue of overheating PS5 consoles during extended gameplay sessions.

This is my melted controller. It just took one set. pic.twitter.com/EiG6OsdjeG

— Eduardo Cuervo (eacuervo @ threads) (@cloudraven) August 6, 2023

This is not the only hot controversy to come from last weekend’s Evo tournament, though this is for a very different situation entirely, as it involves a competitor accidentally using a naked Chun-Li mod in Street Fighter 6, yikes!

Finally, before you go, the best way to avoid PS5 console overheating is to have a break once in a while and by shutting the system down to give it a rest. If you wish to use a wired controller or arcade stick, it’s best to use the front USB port which should reduce the risk of overheating. Other than that, as I mentioned earlier, always ensure that your console is in the best location to benefit from ventilation.