Liquid Metal Issues May Threaten All PS5 Models

Sony’s decision to equip the PlayStation 5 with a liquid metal cooling system was meant to guarantee stable performance even under heavy workloads. However, new reports suggest this engineering approach may be creating long-term reliability concerns. According to Wccftech, degradation of the liquid metal compound could pose risks for every PS5 model — including the original, Slim, and Pro versions.

Liquid metal appears prone to leaking and oxidation

While liquid metal offers superior heat transfer compared to traditional thermal paste, its inherent properties also introduce vulnerabilities. Technicians have documented cases where the material has leaked, dried out, or oxidized on the APU. These issues can lead to overheating, performance instability, and the need for professional servicing.

PS5 Slim affected after only 18 months of use

One reported case involves a PlayStation 5 Slim that failed in under a year and a half, despite being used vertically from day one. When the console reached a repair center, it showed classic signs of liquid metal degradation.

Upon inspection, specialists found dried remnants of the thermal compound, oxidation marks, and a compromised contact between the APU and the cooling system. According to the technician, the orientation of the console was not the cause — the failure was attributed to the application quality and the natural aging of the liquid metal, an issue that may eventually appear in all PS5 units.

Could every PS5 require maintenance over time?

Although it may sound exaggerated to claim that all PS5 consoles will need servicing, the growing pool of data indicates the problem is not isolated. Instances of deteriorating thermal interfaces have emerged across multiple revisions over several years, and repair centers report an increasing number of affected systems. The consoles most vulnerable to damage appear to be older units that have surpassed the three-year mark.

Sony has introduced design changes in the PS5 Pro and the updated CFI-2100 revision. However, it remains uncertain whether these adjustments will be enough to eliminate the long-term degradation of the liquid metal compound.