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Overheating
Overheating causes many power supply and other component problems on the PS3. Blocking the airflow or placing the unit in an area with restricted space can lead to this problem. Clear all vents on the unit of any dust, debris or other contaminants. Make sure that you leave ample room between the vents and other devices, such as your home entertainment center or television, for air to flow through the unit. The unit will power off and the power light will flash red to indicate overheating.
Broken Components
The PS3 power supply features a large automatic fan that cools the unit to help prevent damage from overheating. If this fan breaks, due to accident or faults in construction, the unit will overheat. Signs of a broken fan include strange noises emitting from the console or a noticeable lack of fan sounds from the unit. Other broken or damaged components, such as cables or internal devices, can also cause the symptoms of a weak power supply.
Surge Damage
Due to the sensitivity of the console, you should always use a surge protector along with your PS3. The console shares many components with powerful computers, including the power supply, and damage caused by energy surges from lightning or power fluctuations can weaken your power supply. The most obvious signs of this tend to take the form of obvious malfunctions in other devices on the same circuit in your gaming area.
Other Potential Causes
Other causes include damage from liquid or food spills near the unit, conditions related to use in extremely humid environments and the use of incorrect electric voltages. In almost every case of power supply problems, you will need to send your PS3 in for service or take it to an authorized repair center in your area. Attempting to fix this problem yourself may void your warranty and could pose a serious hazard to your safety due to the electrical charge stored in the power supply.