Notes from
the bench.
Practical advice from a 20-year repair veteran. No SEO fluff — only patterns we keep seeing across thousands of consoles, MacBooks and gaming PCs.
How often you actually need to clean a PlayStation 4
A PS4 in 2026 is a machine that is at minimum seven and often ten years old. Dust and dried thermal paste are the two reasons it sounds like a vacuum cleaner and shuts down mid-game. When to clean it, and why 'once a year' is no longer enough.
How to fix DualSense stick drift
Five real fixes for DualSense stick drift — from the recalibration menu Sony added in 2024, to a Hall Effect module swap. What works, in what order, and what each one costs.
Why your PS5 needs a clean every year — and what we see when it doesn't
Dust is the single biggest reason healthy PS5s end up on our bench. Here is what builds up inside, what it costs you, and how often a console actually needs to come apart.
PS5 thermal paste replacement — liquid metal, not paste, and why it matters
Sony didn't put thermal paste inside the PS5. They used liquid metal — a gallium-based alloy that transfers heat three to five times better than any conventional paste. Here's what that means for cleaning, why replacing it wrong destroys consoles, and what a correct liquid metal service actually involves.
PS5 stuck in safe mode loop — causes and how to actually fix it
A PS5 that keeps booting into safe mode isn't necessarily broken. The most common cause is overheating, not a software fault. Here's how to tell the difference, what each safe mode option actually does, and when you need a bench rather than a factory reset.
PS5 controller not charging — what actually causes it and how to fix it
A DualSense that won't charge is usually a cable or port problem, not a dead battery. Here's the diagnostic sequence, the most common failure points, and when you actually need a battery replacement.
PS5 HDMI port broken: 6 signs it's the port (not your TV)
Black screen, flickering, or no signal on your PS5? Before you assume it's the TV, the cable, or the display settings, check these six signs that point specifically to the HDMI port on the console — and why getting the diagnosis right saves you money.
PS5 HDMI port repair cost in Finland (2026)
How much does a PS5 HDMI port repair cost in Finland, what is included, and is it worth it compared to buying a new console? Real numbers from the Finnish repair market in 2026.
PS5 bent HDMI pin: can you fix it yourself? (Honest answer)
A bent pin inside the PS5 HDMI port looks like a simple fix. Sometimes it is. More often, straightening it without the right tools makes things significantly worse. Here's what you're actually dealing with, what a careful attempt at home looks like, and when to stop.
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