PlayStation Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Craig Lloyd

Comments: 9

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

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.

Tools

Step 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.

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

Aislinn - 18/12/16

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.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Lift the metal shield straight up to remove it.

Step 5

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

Step 6

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

Step 7

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

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

B H - 05/05/20

Step 8

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.

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 - 05/04/17

Do I solder it or what?

Zvezdan Disic - 05/04/17

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

Aaron Loyd - 04/03/19

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

leafybye - 01/09/20

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

Jack - 05/12/20

Step 9

Lift the optical drive straight up to remove it.

Step 10

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

Step 11

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

Step 12

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.

Step 13

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

Step 14

Lift the motherboard out of the bottom case.

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.