PS5 Users have Started Facing a Major Issue; Melting of USB Cables

Users of Sony's PlayStation 5 system are apparently experiencing a new issue. According to a Kotaku, certain PS5 systems are melting USB ports during extended gaming sessions. The problem was uncovered last weekend at Evolution (also known as Evo) in Las Vegas.

What is Evolution?

Evolution is one of the most significant fighting game events. Players from all around the world attend this tournament to compete in games like as Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, and Tekken 7.

How does this problem affect users?

PS5 consoles only have one USB-A port on the front, so many gamers had to plug their controllers into one of the ports on the back. The report mentions that these consoles were left on for hours at a time and likely heated up throughout the day. PS5s dissipate heat from the back of the system, and the temperature can be hot enough to melt the plastic inside the USB ports.

Some gamers have also reported that their cables are fusing with the PS5's USB ports. When they tried to remove the controller it forced the entire port to come out. Both Sony and Evo have yet to comment on the matter.

However, it is important to note that some competitors have used unlicensed converters for old PS4 fighting games on the PS5. Those players were using older devices due to a lack of cross-system compatibility. These problems may have been caused by using unlicensed hardware. The report also did not confirm whether USB ports were affected by the faulty PS5s.

How to Stop Melting of USB Cables?

Gamers are advised to use the USB-A or USB-C ports on the front. The rear parts are placed next to the heat sink. However, if gamers are forced to use the rear USB-A port, they should make sure the console has had time to cool down before reconnecting the controller. Additionally, players should avoid using unlicensed converters until notified by Sony or third-party hardware manufacturers.

Is there any benefit to using PS5's vertical variant over its horizontal variant?

Sony allows you to use your PS5 both vertically and horizontally, so there is no right or wrong way to do it as long as your system receives adequate airflow. Which orientation you should utilize is determined on your requirements. The horizontal design is stylish if you have enough of space and don't mind the PS5 taking up a lot of horizontal space.

On the other hand, using the PS5 vertically causes the cooling liquid in the console's APU to leak, resulting in inadequate cooling and performance concerns, according to many hardware experts. In the worst-case scenario, this liquid might reach the motherboard and fry the primary component, leaving the console inoperable.