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How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5

Prerequisite Only
This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

What you need

  1. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the stand screw: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • If your PlayStation 5 is in its vertical orientation, flip it upside down so the stand is facing up.

    • If your PlayStation 5 is in its horizontal orientation, skip to Step 6.

    • Work on a flat surface to prevent your PlayStation from falling over.

    • Use a coin or a flathead screwdriver to remove the 26.5 mm-long stand screw.

  2. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the vertical stand: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the vertical stand: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Lift straight up to remove the stand.

  3. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Store the stand screw: step 3, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Store the stand screw: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Insert the screw into the cubby on the bottom of the stand.

  4. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Cap the screw hole: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Cap the screw hole: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Cap the screw hole: step 4, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy
    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingernail to remove the cap from the cubby.

    • Use your finger to press the cap into the screw hole.

  5. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Close the cubby: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Close the cubby: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Close the cubby: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Twist the stand counterclockwise to close the cubby.

  6. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the horizontal stand: step 6, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the horizontal stand: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • If your PlayStation 5 is in its horizontal orientation, rest it on its face with the charging port facing up.

    • Lift the stand straight up to remove it.

  7. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the right faceplate: step 7, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the right faceplate: step 7, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the right faceplate: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Flip the device over so that the USB and ethernet ports are on the left side from your perspective.

    • Lift up the corner of the faceplate to unclip it from the case.

  8. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 8, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • While lifting up the corner, slide the faceplate towards the bottom of the device.

    • Remove the right faceplate.

  9. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Pry up the grille: step 9, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Pry up the grille: step 9, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Pry up the grille: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the grille and into the gap above the fan.

    • Lift up with the spudger to pry the grille away from the case.

  10. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the grille: step 10, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the grille: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the grille away from the case to remove it.

  11. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the fan shroud screws: step 11, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Magnetic Project Mat
    $19.95
    Buy
    • Use a TR8 Torx security driver to remove the four screws securing the fan shroud to the case:

    • Two 23.3 mm-long screws

    • One 11.4 mm-long screw

    • One 31 mm-long screw

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your console.

  12. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the fan shroud: step 12, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the fan shroud: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the fan shroud straight up to remove it.

  13. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the wire cover: step 13, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the wire cover: step 13, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the wire cover: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • Insert the flat end of a spudger beneath the black wire cover and into the gap above the fan wires.

    • Pry only on the wire cover, not on the fan wires themselves.

    • Use the spudger to peel up the wire cover until you can grip it with your fingers.

  14. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 14, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 14, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • Use your fingers to peel off the wire cover.

  15. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Disconnect the fan: step 15, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Disconnect the fan: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Use your fingers to grip the edges of the fan cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Always pull cables by their connectors and not the wires themselves.

  16. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the fan: step 16, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the fan: step 16, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the fan: step 16, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the fan up and out of the case to remove it.

  17. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the SSD cover: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 17 mm-long SSD cover screw.

  18. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 18, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 18, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Use your finger to slide the SSD cover towards the top of the device to unclip it from the case.

    • Remove the SSD cover.

  19. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive wire: step 19, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive wire: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Use your fingers to grip the edges of the optical drive cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Always pull cables by their connectors and not the wires themselves.

  20. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 20, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 20, image 2 of 2
    • Use your fingers to grip the edges of the optical drive cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the optical drive.

  21. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the tamper-evident sticker: step 21, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the tamper-evident sticker: step 21, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the tamper-evident sticker: step 21, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy
    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the tamper-evident sticker covering the remaining case screw.

    • If your PlayStation 5 hasn't been opened before, this sticker will be completely black. The pattern will appear after you remove it.

    • Technically, these are tamper-evident stickers—but don't worry—Sony can't legally void your warranty, as long as you don't damage anything. Have fun!

  22. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the case screws: step 22, image 1 of 1
    • Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the eleven screws securing the case:

    • Six 18.6 mm-long screws

    • Two 23.3 mm-long screws

    • Two 43.2 mm-long screws

    • One 7.3 mm-long screw

  23. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the case: step 23, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the case: step 23, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the case straight up to remove it.

  24. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive ribbon cable: step 24, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive ribbon cable: step 24, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive ribbon cable: step 24, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to press down on the optical drive connector's metal locking tab.

    • With the metal tab depressed, use a pair of tweezers to pull the blue pull tab directly away from the connector to disconnect the cable from the optical drive.

    • Pull only on the pull tab, not the cable itself.

  25. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive: step 25, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive: step 25, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the optical drive away from the device to remove it.

  26. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive ribbon cable: step 26, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive ribbon cable: step 26, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the optical drive ribbon cable: step 26, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to press down on the optical drive connector's metal locking tab.

    • With the metal tab depressed, use a pair of tweezers to pull the blue pull tab directly away from the connector to disconnect the cable from the motherboard.

  27. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the power and eject button ribbon cable: step 27, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the power and eject button ribbon cable: step 27, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers to pull the blue pull tab directly away from the connector to disconnect the power and eject button ribbon cable.

  28. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the LED ribbon cable: step 28, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the LED ribbon cable: step 28, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers to pull the blue pull tab directly away from the connector to disconnect the LED ribbon cable.

  29. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the antenna wires: step 29, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the antenna wires: step 29, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the antenna wires: step 29, image 3 of 3
    • Use a pair of tweezers to grip the white Wi-Fi antenna wire at its metal base, as close to the connector as possible.

    • Lift the wire's connector straight up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Repeat for the black Wi-Fi antenna wire.

    • Some board revisions may not have these antenna wires. If your board is missing these connectors, skip this step.

  30. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 30, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 30, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 30, image 3 of 3
    • Use a pair of tweezers to grip the black or blue power supply antenna wire at its metal base, as close to the connector as possible.

    • Lift the wire's connector straight up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Repeat for the white power supply antenna wire.

  31. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the white stickers: step 31, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the white stickers: step 31, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the white stickers: step 31, image 3 of 3
    • Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the white sticker holding the antenna wires to the top shield plate.

    • Remove the antenna wires from underneath the sticker.

    • Press the white sticker back down onto the top shield plate so it can be reused.

  32. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 32, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 32, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 32, image 3 of 3
    • Repeat the previous step to peel back the four remaining stickers.

  33. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 33, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 33, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 33, image 3 of 3
    • Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the white sticker holding the LED ribbon cable to the heat sink.

    • Remove the LED ribbon cable from underneath the sticker.

    • Press the white sticker back down onto the heat sink so it can be reused.

  34. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the top shield plate screws: step 34, image 1 of 1
    • Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the forty-two screws securing the top shield plate:

    • Forty-one 7.3 mm-long screws

    • One 43.2 mm-long screw

  35. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the top shield plate: step 35, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the top shield plate: step 35, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the top shield plate: step 35, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the top shield plate off of the motherboard to remove it.

    • During reassembly, this is a good point to replace any thermal pads on the top of the main board, if necessary. The pads may be stuck to both the top shield plate and the main board.

    • It's important that the replacement pads are the same thickness as the originals, otherwise the foam around the APU may not seal properly.

  36. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Disconnect the USB board: step 36, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Disconnect the USB board: step 36, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Disconnect the USB board: step 36, image 3 of 3
    • Use your finger to depress the metal locking tab on the USB board cable's board connector.

    • With the metal tab depressed, place the flat end of a spudger against the insulating foam pad on the ribbon cable and pull it directly away from the connector to disconnect it.

  37. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the left faceplate: step 37, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the left faceplate: step 37, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the left faceplate: step 37, image 3 of 3
    • Lift up the corner of the faceplate with the PlayStation logo to unclip it from the case.

  38. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 38, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5: step 38, image 2 of 2
    • While lifting up the corner, slide the faceplate towards the bottom of the device.

    • Remove the left faceplate.

  39. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the screws: step 39, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Torx T8 driver to remove the two 29.4 mm-long screws securing the case to the motherboard and heat sink assembly.

  40. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the case: step 40, image 1 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the case: step 40, image 2 of 3 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the case: step 40, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the front edge of the case off of the motherboard and heat sink assembly.

    • With the front edge elevated, push the case back, away from the motherboard and heat sink assembly, to maneuver the charging port out of its slot in the case.

    • Remove the case.

    • The front plate may come apart from the plastic case. During reassembly, make sure the front plate is in place before reinserting the motherboard and power supply.

  41. How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the middle panel: step 41, image 1 of 2 How to Remove the Middle Panel on a PlayStation 5, Remove the middle panel: step 41, image 2 of 2
    • Lift up to remove the middle panel from the case.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our PlayStation 5 Answers community for help.

Robert Boyd

Member since: 02/01/21

29,173 Reputation

94 Guides authored

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