PlayStation Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

If your PlayStation is displaying faulty video, emitting choppy audio, or just isn’t booting properly, the motherboard may need to be replaced. This guide will take you through the process of replacing the motherboard, which houses all of the processors and A/V connectors.

Note: This repair is demonstrated on a SCPH-1001 model. The process may differ slightly if you have a later model.

What you need

Step 1 Open the Console

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Open the Console: step 1, image 1 of 1

Before you begin, make sure the console is turned off and unplugged.
Turn the console upside down and remove the five 15.8 mm-long Phillips #1 screws.

Edit

The SCPH-9001 model does not have the Parallel Port panel to remove.

Aislinn - Dec 18, 2016 Reply

Step 2

While holding the top and bottom halves of the console together, flip the console back over. Lift the top cover straight up to remove it.

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Step 3 Remove the Controller Ports

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Controller Ports: step 3, image 1 of 1

Remove five Phillips #1 screws securing the metal shield to the controller ports:
Two 14 mm screws
Three 8 mm screws

Edit

Doesn't apply to my 7502 model.

Only remove the two 14mm screws.

Harley - May 13, 2024 Reply

Step 4

Lift the metal shield straight up to remove it.

Edit

Doesn't apply to my 7502 model.

Skip to next step.

Harley - May 13, 2024 Reply

Step 5

Pull the controller port's ribbon cable straight up and out of its socket on the motherboard to disconnect it.

Edit

Doesn't apply to my 7502 model.

Only remove the ribbon cable from the centre of the two ports.

Harley - May 13, 2024 Reply

Step 6

Lift the controller ports straight up and out of the bottom case.

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Step 7 Remove the Optical Drive

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Optical Drive: step 7, image 1 of 2

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Optical Drive: step 7, image 2 of 2

Pull the optical drive power cable straight up and out of its socket on the motherboard to disconnect it.

Edit

I broke the optical drive power cable’s socket off from the motherboard! How to put it back on?

B H - May 4, 2020 Reply

Please try not to pull via the wires as you run the risk of breaking the cable, in which if you have a replacement reader like mine you will need this cable again as it didn’t come with one. I recommend wiggling it from each side. Seems to work for me.

Jamie Sylver - Feb 18, 2025 Reply

Step 8

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift up and unlock one side of the data cable's connector on the motherboard. Repeat this step on the other side of the connector.
You'll hear a faint click noise when unlocking the connector. Make sure not to apply too much pressure when lifting up on the connector with the spudger, or else damage may result.
Gently pull the optical drive data cable straight up and out of its socket on the motherboard to disconnect it.

Edit

While I was pulling this cable, the whole connector came off the motherboard (the white part that's supposed do stay on the motherboard)... How can I fix it?

Zvezdan Disic - Apr 5, 2017 Reply

Do I solder it or what?

Zvezdan Disic - Apr 5, 2017 Reply

Same exact problem with pulling the entire connector off the motherboard. What do i do?

Aaron Loyd - Mar 4, 2019 Reply

Yes, could try clean and re-solder, and do a proper re-work job.

leafybye - Sep 1, 2020 Reply

help! i just had the same problem! someone was able to solve it ???

Jack - Dec 5, 2020 Reply

Step 9

Lift the optical drive straight up to remove it.

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Step 10 Unplug the Power Supply

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Unplug the Power Supply: step 10, image 1 of 2

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Unplug the Power Supply: step 10, image 2 of 2

Pull the power supply cable straight up and out of its socket on the motherboard to disconnect it.

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Step 11 Remove the Motherboard's Metal Shield

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Motherboard's Metal Shield: step 11, image 1 of 1

Remove the five 14 mm-long Phillips #1 screws from the motherboard's metal shield.

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Step 12

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

From the left side, lift up the metal shield and rotate it about its right edge, opening it like a book.
There may be strips of tape holding the right side of the metal shield to the case, necessitating this kind of removal procedure. If there isn't tape, you can simply lift the shield straight up to remove it.

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Step 13 Remove the Motherboard

PlayStation Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Motherboard: step 13, image 1 of 1

Remove the three 14 mm-long Phillips #1 screws securing the motherboard to the bottom case.

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Step 14

Lift the motherboard out of the bottom case.

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Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

29 other people completed this guide.