PlayStation 4 Pro Optical Drive Replacement

Written By: Thomas

Comments: 79

PlayStation 4 Pro Optical Drive Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

This guide includes the steps necessary to remove the optical drive in the PlayStation 4 Pro. This is one of the last things that is removable in the PS4 Pro, which means that just about everything else has to be removed first. This guide includes a large amount of disassembly, as well as warranty-voiding steps.

Tools

Parts

PlayStation 4 Pro Optical Drive

Step 1

Flip the console upside down.
Use your finger to pull and snap off the plastic cover over the hard drive.

DON’T FORGET TO HAVE THERMAL PASTE HANDY! It should be added to the “Tools Required” Section. You will NEED it!

Jaquell Chandler - 02/05/21

What if thermal paste is not applied again when remounting ? Will the playstation start and work anyway or not ?

Vincent Bee - 16/05/21

It will start and run normally until you put it under load. Then it will heat up and thermal throttle or it can overheat and destroy itself.

Jeremy Ivey - 29/05/21

I posted this down in another step too, but: if you have a very early North American PS4 Pro, with the exact optical drive shown here - the key way to tell is the very long data cable that’s folded a couple of times, see pictures in later steps - then the replacement drive iFixit offers WILL NOT WORK IN YOUR MACHINE. It has to be a very early model, apparently, but the model number isn’t enough to tell you.

Even if you swap the too-short cables in their replacement with the longer cables on your drive, it still will not work. At all. It’ll just sit there like the drive isn’t even getting power.

So if you do have this drive, what you probably need to do is get a replacement KES-496A Optical Pickup Assembly and replace that within your existing drive. That’s what I had to do after two different replacement drives sent by iFixit failed to work in my system. It worked immediately and I’m back online.

The optical pickup replacement is awfully fiddly, and adds a solid 20 minutes to the repair easily. But it does work.

Dara Korra'ti -

I had originally been told by several people that to properly repair the optical drive within the PS4 Pro (so that the PS4 actually works), you have to replace the Optical Pickup Assembly like you mentioned because the drive is paired with the motherboard. I was surprised to find that iFixit is pushing this repair tutorial when it has a low probability of success for many PS4 Pro models.

Instead, iFixit should be documenting replacement of the KES-496A Optical Pickup Assembly... when that repair has a near 100% chance of success, even though it's a fair bit more fiddly to complete and requires two different teardowns (one for the PS4 Pro and one for the optical drive... needed to install the replacement optical pickup assembly).

commorancy -

Follow-on note. I could be mixing up the original PS4's pairing with the PS4 Pro (which might or might not have device + motherboard pairing). Because I can't find a definitive source confirming if the drive is paired on the PS4 Pro, using a drive replacement might or might not work.

There are a number of commenters below who followed these instructions and found that the replacement drive didn't work after completing the repair. I think I'd still go with replacing the KES-496A Optical Pickup Assembly. That repair is more fiddly, but the optical assembly replacement part is a whole lot cheaper, costing less than $10 in some stores, than buying a full replacement drive at $70.

commorancy -

Step 2

Use a Phillips #1 Screwdriver to remove the single screw securing the hard drive caddy.
Pull the hard drive caddy straight out.

This is a Phillips #1 bit.

Trevor Frey - 24/01/20

Step 3

Flip the console right side up.
Grip the two corners located at the front of the device.
Pull upwards until a loud click is heard.
This may require a lot of force, so do not be afraid to get a little rough with your console.
After both corners detach, slide the cover backwards and lift off.

%#*@. I thought I was gonna break the thing. You really do have to give it some elbow grease.

Addison Francisco - 20/06/20

there were also some screws that needed to come out before popping it off. Might have been a different version im working on. there were three screws attached to the console that I had to remove before popping off the top.

Ricky Arias -

The 7215B has one TR8 security Torx behind the center “void” sticker.

cylentstorm -

This cover is really on there. It sounds like your breaking plastic when you pop it open. I ended up using a metal tablespoon in the corners where you should pull up to pop the cover up the first bit, worked well.

azade91 -

Step 4

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove five screws from the rear of the device.
Two 31mm screws.
Three 10mm screws for the 7000 models; Two gray 10mm screws (upper and lower screws on the illustration) if the PS4 Pro is a 7100-series model.
Remove the metal plate by pulling it up.

I copy the comment written by Jason at the end of this guide, because it’s better to have it here:

This guide is for the initial release CUH-7000 models. Of note is the changes to the CUH-7100 series that do make this guide an issue. Steps 4 and 5 have a different items to note. You can damage it following this guide if you don’t adjust. There no longer 3 security screws for the case, but just one. This single screw is still covered by a warranty sticker, but the second one is a blank sticker and no screw behind it. There is also no 10mm screw in the center power supply in Step 4, it’s a support post. You still remove the 4 other screws, but you must then flip the console over and remove a T8 screw to the right on the HDD cage and another closer to the right side. You can then flip the console over again to remove the battery and plug it. Just remove all the metal plate screws to be sure, but make sure you hold the board when you flip it again or you will bend the battery prongs like I found out the hard way.

kautame - 28/12/19

Oh! That explains why I stripped the middle screw. What’s a support post?

Philippe Morin - 18/01/21

Had to use TR8 instead of 10mm here.

Addison Francisco - 20/06/20

After I popped the top off, I got 4 out of 5 screws out. The 5 th screw for some reason, was a little bit bigger, therefore, I could not take out that screw so I could clean the heatsink and fan.

Dixie Dawg - 06/11/20

Me too it’s not like another screw it’s have black and I can’t remove if you know pls tell me how i do bro ???

Montri Meka -

I stripped the %#*@ screw in the middle. (orange highlighting) It’s a black head and the T8 Torx Security head doesn’t work! I have a CUH-7115B. I think it’s a regular T8 or some kind of Hex head. ? I don’t know what to do now!! :(

Philippe Morin - 18/01/21

As mentioned above, this guide is for the old models. 7215B: There 4 TR8 screws (2 long, 2 short) holding the plate. The middle is a support post.

cylentstorm -

Step 5

Flip the console over so the bottom is facing up.
Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the three black 7mm screws in the back panel. (7000-series models only); or one 7mm screw (the middle one) with 7100-series models and the warranty sticker to the left.
Remove the bottom cover in the same way as the top cover. Grip the cover on both sides and pull up until it clicks. Then slide the cover off; With 7100-series models, pay attention to the two clips that replace the corresponding screws.

Adding to this, the screws are not visible unless you remove the warranty stickers!

George Diaz - 07/10/19

Also, the plastic on the back of the cover is prone to cracking. Be careful and undo snaps across the whole back of the panel gently!

Nick Podrebarac - 29/04/20

Vielen vielen Dank. Endlich ist der jumbojet gelandet #fan

Christian Radke - 15/06/20

7215B has 1 TR8 screw beneath a sticker between the optical and USB ports, and two clips (1 next to the HDD slot and 1 beneath a sticker near the power port.)

cylentstorm -

Step 6

Use a T8 Torx security screwdriver to remove the eleven 10mm silver screws from the metal plate.
Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the eleven 4mm black screws from the metal plate.
7200-series models have 13 additional 4mm screws around the top and right of the metal plate. These screws are are indicated with a triangle. This may apply to other models.
Use a spudger to disconnect the three antenna cables (two black and one white) by prying them straight up from their sockets.

Noted during my replacement that the PS4 Pro appears to have additional #0 Phillips Head screws in Step 6 required to remove the metal plate from the motherboard and that the metal “X” plate in Step 11 appears to be included now in this overall metal cover for the motherboard, no longer separate, which accounts for the additional screws.

David Carlsen - 23/04/20

Original pro here. Had 12 torx

Skyler Cook - 27/04/20

cuh0-7216b have more philips #1 screws on metal plate on right, +13 screws :)

Papolo0 - 13/06/20

(PS4 Pro) Bei mir ebenfalls 11 T8 Torx, von denen 3 Sicherheitstorx waren.

Rebecca Dorsch -

My PS4 Pro 7115 has additional sets of #0 Phillips screws on the plate. 10x in the primary processor space (blank plate area of the graphic here), 2x over the fan, and 1x on the outside edge to clamp down on the primary processor area. Model CUH-7115B

r0flm4k3r -

Step 7

Pull the white fan connector straight out of the yellow mount on the motherboard.

Step 8

Pull out the five small, blue low profile cables connected to the metal plate.
Lift the retaining flap on the ZIF connector of the large ribbon cable.
Pull the large ribbon cable from its socket.
Do not pull on the biggest blue cable without lifting the tab first. Doing so can damage the connection.

What the cable in the up left corner is for? I broke it and i’d like to know at what is it connected?

Thanks

Enrico Pensalfine - 05/01/21

The blue ribbon cables aren’t connected to the metal plate. The plate can be safely removed beforehand. The only thing one should do prior to its removal is de route the antenna cables for the WNIC.

Robert - 30/03/21

Step 9

Pull up and remove the metal plate.

Step 10

Flip the console over to continue working on the top side.
Pull up on the power supply unit and set it on the console.
Be careful not to pull too far, the assembly is still connected at one point.
Grip the connector behind the power supply and pull straight out.

Why do I have to remove the PSU here? I do not see the necessity judging by the following steps.

Alexander Bla - 16/07/19

This comes in handy when removing the entire motherboard which is necessary when cleaning the heat sink.

George Diaz - 09/10/19

Bonjour, Que se soit le connecteur du bloc comme celui sur la partie ps4 , il est difficile à retirer ce câblage… peut-on tirer sans risque réellement ?

Brezu Sama - 10/04/20

IMPORTANT: The connector on the motherboard is very sensitive. I’d recommend using pliers to put pressure down on the connector while slowly jerking the cable out of the socket to avoid serious damage to the connector and/or motherboard that could render the PSU connection useless and require advanced soldering / rewiring.

Daniel Larusso - 05/06/20

This!

Connector was quite tight in PSU side and I ended pulling connector from motherboard resulting me getting PS5 for Christmas.

tero - 18/10/20

Also der stecke lässt sich nicht entfernen

Slime - 14/07/20

Der Stecker am Netzteil (letzter Schritt) erscheint mir ungewöhnlich fest, und lässt sich ohne weiteres nicht entfernen. Besteht die Möglichkeit, dass dieser neuerdings verklebt ist oder dergleichen? :-/

Rebecca Dorsch -

Das würde mich auch interessieren. Ich habe den Stecker weder vom Mainboartd noch von der PSU abbekommen. Leider habe ich den Stecker dann abgerissen - aber er hat sich auf keiner Seite abziehen lassen.

Tobias August -

Step 11

If you are working on the 7200-series model, this metal plate will have been already removed as part of the removing the larger motherboard plate. You may skip this step if this is the case.
Carefully flip the console over so the bottom is facing up.
Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the eight 4mm screws on the metal plate with the X-like symbol.
Use a plastic opening tool to remove the metal plate with the X-like shape.

My PS4 Pro 7115, this and more is integrated with the main plate, as noted above, plus there are 10 in this area (not 8), along with 2 over the fan and 1 to the edge of this area. Model CUH-7115B

r0flm4k3r -

Step 12

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the four 13mm screws on the X-shaped metal plate underneath.
For 7200-series models this is instead a S-shaped metal plate with 2 screws.
Grip the X-shaped retaining bracket and lift straight up.

Mine had an S shape with two screws.

Christopher - 08/04/21

Depending on the series it will have either a S or X shape bracket

Jeremy Ivey - 29/05/21

My PS4 Pro 7115 has an S-shaped bracket with 2 screws. Model CUH-7115B

r0flm4k3r -

Step 13

Grip the edge of the motherboard and slowly lift upwards to remove it from the device.
For reassembly, use this guide to reapply thermal paste between the motherboard and the metal plate underneath.

Does anybody know the name of the white detail from the first screenshot step #13? (Plastic with square metal inside). I broke it by accident during dissembling and want to find replacement for it, but can’t find it anywhere.

serjgord - 04/10/20

I can read F2-4 >POM< on the plastic piece but i guess thisis a radiator/thermal dissipator support. HTH

Vincent Bee - 16/05/21

Won't you also need a paired optical drive to replace the motherboard? My ps4 got broken some weeks ago and I've found out that I need to replace the motherboard for it to work again, but I keep seeing that you also need a paired optical drive. Is this true? My ps4 pro is a CUH-7216B if that helps

Jekabs Freimanis -

A warning should be before this step that this step detaches from the primary heat sync. The required tools should list the replacement thermal paste at the beginning, not after the step is already to have been completed.

r0flm4k3r -

tut euch selbst den gefallen und tauscht auch alle Wärmeleitpads. (ca 14 stück)

Jim Bean -

Step 14

Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to remove the two 6 mm silver screws from the metal plate.

Where to get the pink stuff from?

Dark Flo -

#1 Philips screwdriver

Peter -

Step 15

Lift the metal plate that is connected to the heat pipe straight up to remove it.

The second screw is at the right bottom side !!

mobilas77 - 13/07/20

Step 16

Use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove the four screws.
One 30 mm screw.
Three 6mm screws.
Grab the optical drive and lift up to remove.

Great guide but it would be great if you could mention at the beginning that dismounting the heatseak will be required, as will reapplying thermal paste and add these tools to the list…

Simon Preece - 04/06/19

Yeah, they probably should have made it more obvious for those who are inexperienced, but one who’s repairing or disassembling any electronics should have thermal paste on-hand. Also, if you anticipate a teardown to the motherboard, it’s usually expected to remove any heatsink for the main processor.

Robert - 30/03/21

PlayStation le roi de l'obsolescence programmée, ma console ps4 pro a 2 ans et 10jours plus de garantie.

Comme par hasard une mise à jour s'est produit mon lecteur CD ne fonctionne plus

Gardez votre merde je retourne

chez xbox

vp952010 - 24/12/19

No es normal que deje de funcionar de repente sin ningún motivo. Hablamos de obsolescencia programada en contador de horas de función on?

norman Winters - 06/01/20

I did this guide step by step and then in reverse. Worked out fine, but the optical drive is not reading disks. Anyone have any suggestions? Do I need to initialize my system after installing a new disk drive?

Carl Crussell - 12/02/20

Same problem here. Mine works if i tap on the case in exactly the right spot, but I think i’ll buy a new carriage.

They seem to sell for about $30 in Aus.

low d - 13/03/21

After replacing the disc drive, the unit powers on 3 beeps, then turns off.

I've done 2 overheating treatments to the processor. Also, replaced the power supply. No luck. Any thoughts,? There isn't much info out there on the pros

Myra Augustine - 11/05/20

Hallo mein Sohn hat eine Mini Musik CD ins Laufwerk geschoben. Bekommen wir sie wieder raus???

Sven Weber -

I have the same original optical drive as shown here, with the long cable. If you have this drive in a very early North American PS4 Pro (mine was US market) the replacement drive offered by iFixit DOES NOT WORK IN YOUR MACHINE. Even if you swap cables - the included primary data cable in the replacement is too short - it WILL NOT WORK. What you probably need is a KES-496A optical pickup, and swap that out inside your existing optical drive. That’s what I had to do, and it fixed it for me.

Dara Korra'ti -

Hi, I know that PS4 original has a daughter board that needs to be swapped from old to new replacement optical drive. But what about PS4 pro model? There is no daughter board there. Is it possible just to swap same model optical drive and the PS4 will work normaly?

Thx for any answer

Vlatko Kiefer -

Conclusion

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

Author

Thomas

Member since: 26/04/17

3637 Reputation

20 comments

I called an “expert” and they said buying a new drive wont work. I would have to buy a whole new mother board as well…

Vince - 29/12/17

The PS4 Pro does not have a daughter board attached to the optical drive to match up the optical drive model numbers to like the regular PS4. Where do we find what replacement optical drive to buy? Would it be the most recent BDP-025?

David - 10/02/18

I’m currently trying to find a replacement Optical Drive for my Ps4 Pro myself. Apparently, This is really hard to find. Managed to find a used one but the price to me seems a bit high at $123.

Shaquille Moss - 14/02/18

Excellent instructions just saved me a lot of dosh. I would recommend using Phillips #00 where #0 is noted however - worked better for me.

Thanks again though!

Marc Butterworh - 15/04/18

Forgot to say that I my drive was fine once I fished out the two Switch cartridges my 3 year old had posted in there! Obviously wanted to play Zelda on my PS4 pro - if only.

Marc Butterworh - 15/04/18

I had to open my optical drive up as a sticker had come off a disc and was lodged in there. Discs were going in and being ejected fine but would not read.

I opened the optical drive up and removed the sticker. Now when it's all back together and the console is running it won't accept a disc, the disc won't even go in far enough to trigger the motor to pull it in.

there a certain position the mechanisms should be in when re-assembling?

Will - 10/07/18

Did you solve the problem?

Konsol - 02/01/19

Not myself. I had it repaired by EB Games.

Will - 02/01/19

pro and slim have the same bluray?

Jarosław Kędziora - 16/08/18

Hab alles gemacht und auch wieder zusammen gebaut und jetzt startet die ps4 Pro nicht mehr :( es kommt nur ein kurzes blaues Licht wie wenn es sich Einschaltet und plötzlich schaltet sie sich wieder aus :/ was ist da jetzt?? Kann mir bitte der helfen?

Paradoxer Typ - 27/12/18

I have a PS4 pro and have been having an issue where the drive will keep starting to spin with the characteristic ps4 whine, then stop, then start spinning again, then stopping, etc. until the system finally displays the unrecognized disc message.

After a couple attempts at fixing the drive, I decided that it must be malfunctioning, and needed to be replaced. I ordered a new drive and installed it. Unfortunately, the new drive is exhibiting the exact same issues.

So now I'm thinking it is not an issue with the drive itself, but don't know what else I can do to correct this problem. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Lane Romero-Reiss - 22/04/19

Typo in step 6, Should say 6 Phillips screws

Keith Lindenberg - 03/05/19

Awesome instructions - just used to remove a sticker which had come off a dvd and got lodged in the drive. I couldn't find anywhere online what the best pattern is to place the thermal compound on a PS4 pro, but have used vertical stripes across the shortest dimension on the chip and it seems to be doing fine.

Thanks again but please add a bit at the beginning warning that you will need thermal compound etc to complete fo others.

Simon Preece - 23/06/19

I suspect i placed my CD into the drive upside down, which is why the disk is unreadable. It is also not ejecting as there is no disk recognised. Tried the manual ejection and it has not worked so i think its stuck inside. My question is, can i remove it with force (E.g. Taking tweezers and pulling it out) or something like that or does it need to be opened ? I don’t know why it is stuck it should come out with manual ejection.

H4MZ466 - 16/05/20

NO don't do this there is a screen that comes up a it will cost u more to replace that peice talking from experience here

Daniel Pourciau - 08/06/21

Hello, I got a new drive, followed all instructions. Now the optical drive doesnt power on. Tried the old drive which use to power on and now it doesnt either. I was very careful (I am experienced enough with repair to know about ribbon cables and the delicate locks) and did not break anything. What else could be the issue? I have 10x checked and cleaned the drive’s ribbon connectors. I just dont know why they dont get power now?

John Zealand Doyle - 10/09/20

Thank you very much guys. Great tutorial. It took me just 1.5 hour with new thermal paste installation.

You are the best!!

lucasquest - 23/03/21

Hallo

ich habe an zwei Pros (7000 und 7100) die optischen Laufwerke getauscht. Jetzt ziehen beide die CD nicht mehr rein. So, also ob sie nicht angeschlossen wäre. Jedoch wenn die PS4 ausgeschaltet ist und ich eine CD rein schieben will, startet sie. Aber der Einzug tut nicht. Bei beiden der gleiche Fehler/Verhalten. Auch zurück tauschen hat nichts gebracht. Es es da einen besonderen Kniff den man beim Einbau beachten muss???

Ja, die 3 Flachbandkabel des Laufwerks habe ich mehrmals überprüft.

Klaus Breckner -

Das Laufwerk las nur noch DVD und keine Blu-ray mehr. Nachdem ich die PS innen soweit gesäubert habe und anschließend wieder zusammengebaut habe, läuft diese wieder einwandfrei... Besten Dank 👍

der_ kaputte -

Defektes optisches Laufwerk einer CUH-7016B mit Ersatzlaufwerk von eBay repariert, hat einwandfrei funktioniert, tolle Anleitung, Danke!

Felix Gonschorek -