Overheating PS5 reveals damaged heatsink beneath liquid metal interface
© Modyfikator89 A PlayStation 5 repair has revealed severe degradation around the console’s liquid metal cooling interface. The affected CFI-1116 system was reportedly overheating before being opened by Polish console repair technician Modyfikator89.
The technician found a large dry area over the APU and a hardened residue on the heatsink. According to Modyfikator89, gallium from the liquid metal had penetrated the protective plating on the heatsink and formed a hard alloy-like layer.
APU survived, heatsink did not
After removing the residue, the APU surface was reportedly still smooth and undamaged. The heatsink contact plate was left with permanent marks where its protective surface had been compromised.
© Modyfikator89 
© Modyfikator89 Sony has used liquid metal between the PS5 APU and heatsink since the original console launched in 2020. The company selected the material because of its thermal conductivity and retained the same basic cooling method for subsequent PS5 models.
Liquid metal also requires careful application. Repair guides instructs users to completely remove old material and residue before applying a new layer, while also warning that liquid metal is electrically conductive and must not escape onto the motherboard.
© Modyfikator89 Sony changed the liquid metal contact area on newer PS5 hardware
Sony has since modified how liquid metal is controlled inside the console. The company confirmed that the PS5 Pro uses fine grooves in the area where liquid metal is applied. Sony says the change provides more stable cooling compared with the original implementation.
The damaged CFI-1116 does not establish that older PS5 consoles have a general manufacturing defect. It does show what can happen after years of operation if the liquid metal interface or protective heatsink surface deteriorates.
If you happen to follow electronics repair shops (I regularly watch Digital Doctor ), you may have already noticed that liquid metal is by far one of the most common issues with PS5 consoles. It is usually caused by liquid metal shifting or spilling, which can lead to higher temperatures. Repair shops are well aware of the problem and can usually fix it without much difficulty.
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Cleaned off the crust! The APU die is pristine and mirror smooth, but the heatsink block has permanent scarring where the plating was compromised.
Two questions for techs:
Do you put fresh LM back on a scarred block?
Or is it time to move these straight to PTM7950? #ConsoleRepair … pic.twitter.com/YgAKKB5EY2— modyfikatorcasper (@Modyfikator89) August 11, 2026
