Below are the problems people most often bring their consoles and gaming computers in for. The real cause can only be determined after inspecting the device, but a rough direction helps you understand what to expect.
01
PlayStation 5 or 4 shows no picture on the TV
WhyMost often the cause is a damaged or loose HDMI port on the console itself, less often another hardware or software fault. The cable and the TV can also be at fault, so they should be ruled out first.
Check it yourselfTry another HDMI cable and a different TV input. If you have another TV or monitor, try it there. Do not force or wiggle the connector.
What we doThe technician checks the HDMI port and the video signal circuit. If the port is damaged, it is replaced.
02
The console overheats, is noisy and shuts down on its own
WhyOver several years dust builds up in the cooling system, the fan runs at maximum speed, and eventually the protection shuts the device down. Sometimes parts of the cooling system itself also fail.
Check it yourselfPlace the console on an open surface, not in a closed shelf, and leave a gap of at least a few centimetres around it. You can carefully blow or vacuum dust from the external ventilation openings, but do not open the console.
What we doThe technician checks the cooling system and determines whether maintenance is enough or whether the cooling parts need to be replaced.
03
The console does not turn on and shows no indicator light signals
WhyThe cause may be the power cable or power supply, the power connector, or the motherboard itself. After overheating or a power surge, power management components sometimes fail as well.
Check it yourselfTry another outlet and another original or good-quality power cable. Unplug the console from the mains for a few minutes and try again. Do not do anything else on your own.
What we doDuring diagnostics we determine where the power supply is faulty. The price and timeframe are agreed before the repair.
04
PlayStation controller stick „drifts” or buttons do not work
WhyAnalog stick parts wear out from intensive play, and buttons wear down over time. Drift means the cursor on the screen moves by itself even though the stick has not been touched.
Check it yourselfTry the controller with another device or connect it with a cable. Resetting the controller with the small reset button on the back may help. If the drift persists, it is already mechanical wear.
What we doThe technician checks the controller and determines which part needs to be replaced: the stick, the buttons or the charging port.
05
The console does not read discs or games start to freeze
WhyThe laser of the disc drive wears out, and the motor or mechanism may jam. Drive problems are often confused with software errors, so it is worth distinguishing whether the issue is only with discs or with digital games too.
Check it yourselfCheck that the disc is clean and not scratched, and whether the problem recurs with another game. Do not push any cleaning discs into the console.
What we doDuring diagnostics, the operation of the drive is checked and we determine whether the problem is hardware or software.
06
Slow console, errors when launching games, update gets stuck
WhySometimes the cause is an aging hard drive or SSD, sometimes a failed update or a system „freeze”. A loud clicking from the drive usually indicates a mechanical failure.
Check it yourselfCheck the free storage space and, if your model allows it, try starting the device in safe mode. While you still can, copy your game saves to the cloud or a USB drive.
What we doThe technician checks the storage device and the system. If necessary, the repair may be hardware or software; the risk to your data is explained in advance.
07
Nintendo Switch does not charge or is not detected in the dock
WhyMost often the charging port wears out or becomes dirty, and sometimes the contacts are damaged by a poor-quality charger. The battery may be worn, but this can only be determined after inspection.
Check it yourselfTry another good-quality charger and cable. Inspect the port with a flashlight and, if you see dirt, carefully clean it with a dry, non-metallic object. Do not open the console or the battery.
What we doThe technician checks the port, the charging circuit and the battery, then tells you what needs to be replaced.
08
Gaming computer graphics card failure: stripes, artifacts, black screen
WhyColored spots or stripes in a game, picture „tearing”, a black screen after startup and sudden restarts often indicate a graphics card problem. Causes include overheating, a worn fan, memory failure or insufficient power supply wattage. For choosing a card, read the article how to choose a graphics card for your budget.
Check it yourselfUpdate or reinstall the graphics card drivers and check the temperature with a monitoring program. If you have integrated video output, connect the monitor to it and see whether the picture is normal. Open the case and blow out dust only after unplugging the computer from the mains.
What we doThe technician determines whether the card itself, its cooling, the power supply or the software is at fault, and tells you what to do next.
09
Gaming laptop overheats and slows down while playing
WhyIn laptops the cooling system is very cramped, so the effect of dust quickly becomes noticeable. The processor and graphics card reduce their clock speed, and the frame rate drops. Read more in the article on solutions to computer overheating.
Check it yourselfDo not play on a soft surface, check that the air vents are not blocked, and set a power plan without constant maximum load. We do not recommend blowing out internal dust without experience.
What we doThe technician checks the cooling system and the fan. If there are other faults, you are told after diagnostics.
10
Gaming computer restarts or shuts down by itself during a game
WhyMost often the cause is an overheated graphics card or processor, but it may also be a weakening power supply that lacks power under load. Sometimes the RAM is at fault. Read why a computer restarts by itself.
Check it yourselfLook at the temperatures while playing and check that all fans are spinning. If it happens only with demanding games, this is a sign that the problem is related to load.
What we doThe technician checks the temperatures, the power supply unit and the memory, so that only what has actually failed gets replaced.
