subject: Ps3 Red Flashing Light? What You Should Do [print this page] Have you recently noticed a small, red flashing light on your PS3 console? If so, you should know there are a few steps you can take to help troubleshoot the problem before sending it out for repairs.
PS3 red flashing light issues is commonly caused by hard drive issues. Two common problems causing a PS3 red flashing light are:
1) the hard drive overheating;
2) the hard drive needing to be reset
For both of these problems, there are easy steps you can take at home to fix the issue.
If you suspect your PS3 is overheating (you can touch the console to see if it feels very hot), you should immediately turn the unit off and let it cool down. After it has cooled down completely, you next need to make sure that when you restart the unit all the vents have clear access.
If overheating is not the problem, the next step you can take is to reset the hard drive into the unit. Sometimes PS3 red flashing light issues are due to the drive not connecting well with the cables and other internal components. Simply sliding the hard drive out of the unit and then replacing it into the unit will often fix the PS3 red flashing light issue.
If this second step does not fix your problem, you may need to replace the hard drive. If your unit is still under warranty, it is best to send it to Sony for this repair. However, if the warranty has expired it can cost well over $150 to have Sony make this repair and you may want to replace the drive yourself at home to save a substantial amount of money. To do so, you will need to order a replacement hard drive (usually costs around $50) and get a good PS3 repair manual to walk you through the process.
