How to Fix a PS3 If the Green Light Comes on & Turns Yellow & Then Turns Red

Shut down your PlayStation 3. Put the console into "Standby" mode using the controller; to do this, hold the "PS" button and select "Turn off System." Turn off the "Power" switch on the back. Allowing a PlayStation 3 that is overheating to remain on could permanently damage the unit. Shutting it completely off will allow it to immediately begin to cool down.

Spray compressed air into the vents on the rear of the console. On the inside of the console located just beneath the vents is the PS3's cooling system. This system is made up of a series of fans that are supposed to spin and keep the unit from overheating. If the fans become clogged with dust they will be unable to spin, which will overheat the console. The compressed air will unblock the fans, allowing them to work properly again.

Adjust your usage habits. Sony's official manual for the PlayStation 3 recommends that you take a break from playing and turn off the system every two hours. This isn't just for your own health -- playing for extended periods of time could cause the console to overheat. Pay attention to the time as you play and turn off the console every two hours to avoid the red light/overheating indicator.

Update your PlayStation 3 firmware. One particular Sony firmware release was known to cause overheating with older model PlayStation 3s when certain games were played. Sony has since released a firmware update for the console that fixed this error. Select "System Update" from the main menu to download the newest update.