Introduction
This guide shows how to remove the main board in a PlayStation 5. This must be done before replacing the liquid metal.
What you need
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If your PlayStation 5 is in its vertical orientation, flip it upside down so the stand is facing up.
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Use a coin or a flathead screwdriver to remove the 26.5 mm-long stand screw.
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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Use a pair of tweezers or your fingernail to remove the cap from the cubby.
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Use your finger to press the cap into the screw hole.
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If your PlayStation 5 is in its horizontal orientation, rest it on its face with the charging port facing up.
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Lift the stand straight up to remove it.
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Flip the device over so that the USB and ethernet ports are on the left side from your perspective.
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Lift up the corner of the faceplate to unclip it from the case.
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Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the grille and into the gap above the fan.
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Lift up with the spudger to pry the grille away from the case.
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Tool used on this step:Magnetic Project Mat$19.95
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Use a TR8 Torx security driver to remove the four screws securing the fan shroud to the case:
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Two 23.3 mm-long screws
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One 11.4 mm-long screw
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One 31 mm-long screw
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Insert the flat end of a spudger beneath the black wire cover and into the gap above the fan wires.
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Use the spudger to peel up the wire cover until you can grip it with your fingers.
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Use your fingers to grip the edges of the fan cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.
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Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 17 mm-long SSD cover screw.
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Use your fingers to grip the edges of the optical drive cable connector, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the tamper-evident sticker covering the remaining case screw.
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Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the eleven screws securing the case:
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Six 18.6 mm-long screws
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Two 23.3 mm-long screws
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Two 43.2 mm-long screws
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One 7.3 mm-long screw
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Use the flat end of a spudger to press down on the optical drive connector's metal locking tab.
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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.
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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Use the flat end of a spudger to press down on the optical drive connector's metal locking tab.
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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.
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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.
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Use a pair of tweezers to pull the blue pull tab directly away from the connector to disconnect the LED ribbon cable.
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Use a pair of tweezers to grip the white Wi-Fi antenna wire at its metal base, as close to the connector as possible.
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Lift the wire's connector straight up to disconnect it from the motherboard.
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Repeat for the black Wi-Fi antenna wire.
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Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the white sticker holding the antenna wires to the top shield plate.
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Remove the antenna wires from underneath the sticker.
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Press the white sticker back down onto the top shield plate so it can be reused.
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Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the forty-two screws securing the top shield plate:
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Forty-one 7.3 mm-long screws
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One 43.2 mm-long screw
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Lift the top shield plate off of the motherboard to remove it.
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Use your finger to depress the metal locking tab on the USB board cable's board connector.
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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.
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Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 11 mm‑long SSD screw.
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Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 11.8 mm‑long APU tension bracket screws.
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Use a TR8 Torx security screwdriver to remove the two remaining 7.3 mm‑long main board screws.
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Gently lift the edge of the motherboard with the large cutout to partially separate it from the bottom shield plate.
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With the board lifted, insert the flat end of a spudger between the board and the bottom shield plate and gently twist to separate them. Work your way around the perimeter of the board.
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Insert the flat end of a spudger between the board and the lower shield plate, by the two parallel solder joints near the corner with the power button.
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Twist the spudger to lift the two prongs under the board out of their socket.
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Remove the main board, flip it over, and carefully lay it on a clean work surface, so the APU is facing up.
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Make sure all cables that connect to the board are out of the way so they don't get trapped underneath.
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Carefully flip the board over so the APU is on the bottom, making sure no liquid metal spills.
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Keep the board level and lower it into place.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
