Fixing the playstation 3 yellow light of death is easy. Figuring out what caused it in the first place is the tricky part. There are a few causes of the yellow light of death, but having an understanding of what they are and how to fix them can save you from six weeks of hell with no ps3.
The yellow light of death can be caused by a poor connection with one of your cables. Check them thoroughly and ensure that they are securely in place. Look for signs of damage on the cables themselves. Double check that the a/v cable is inserted on the right sockets on the TV.
Another reason for the ylod is that the hard drive is poorly connected. This can happen if your console is dropped or banged. To try and fix this we have to remove and replace the hard drive. This is a simple procedure to undertake, but if you are not sure how to do it take a look at the numerous tutorials available on YouTube.
A major cause of the yellow light of death is overheating. During prolonged periods of play the console can get too hot. To solve this problem have a look at the vents, is there a build up of dust? If there is remove using a dry clean cloth.
Think about ventilation around you ps3, is there enough? If your console is stored in an entertainment unit this can be causing the problem as heat from your other equipment can have an adverse effect on your console. You could move your ps3 somewhere else, or play with the doors to the unit open.
You should also consider purchasing an external fan for you playstation 3. These fit snugly onto the console and will assist the machines internal fan to keep cool. Purchasing a fan specifically designed for use on the ps3 ensures that it is simple to attach and does not look out of place on your console.
If you are still having problems with the yellow light of death then it could be that there is something wrong with your motherboard. Don't worry just yet as this is still a fixable problem. You have two options, you can send your machine back to Sony paying upwards of $150 and having no console for six weeks or you could repair it yourself. This is an easy task as long as you use a trustworthy playstation 3 repair guide. There are a few available but one of the best I have found and used personally is the one by Rob Sheffield.