How to extend the life of your console with good usage habits

Buying a console can be a significant financial outlay, so it's normal to want to make its lifespan as long as possible. Today, we want to offer a series of basic tips that everyone can apply to achieve this.

Are they infallible? No. Unfortunately, sometimes good luck is not on our side and our PS5, Xbox or Nintendo Switch can break no matter how careful we are. Nevertheless, it is more difficult for this to happen if we give them good maintenance.

Tips to take care of and extend the life of your PS5, Xbox or Nintendo Switch

With that said, here are a series of tips organized by category toextend the life of your consoles, whether it's a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or even a Steam Deck, Lenovo Go or similar handheld console.

Prevent overheating

I'm perfectly aware that this is one of the most basic, common and repeated tips in history. However, if we are so insistent on this subject it is for a reason, and it is one of the most important aspects when it comes to extending the life of your console.

Now, how can we do this? It is not always possible, especially in summer, when temperatures are higher. Knowing this, the possible tips I give you (understanding that in some cases you will not be able to apply all of them) are:

• Proper location. Place the console in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
• Do not block the air vents. Avoid placing the console in enclosed, unventilated spaces, such as small furniture or stacked with other devices.
• Regular cleaning. Use compressed air or a dry cloth to clean the vents and prevent dust buildup.
• Choose the room. If you can choose a cooler room, where there is air conditioning, but never at a very high temperature, or where there is not too much humidity, even better.

Use a surge protector

It's happened to all of us at one time or another: we're in the middle of a game and suddenly the lights go out. The house goes dark and we start hearing voices asking if the lights have gone out. This situation is very annoying... and dangerous.

When this happens, what is called a power surge can occur. It doesn't always have to happen or affect your console, but there is a possibility. This is why, if you can afford it, I recommend that you connect it to a regulator and do this:

• Voltage protection. Connect it to a voltage regulator or a power strip with surge protection.
• Safe shutdown. Avoid unplugging it abruptly while it is on to avoid damage to the hard drive or internal memory.
• Don't leave it on standby. It's better to leave your console off when you're not using it for long periods of time in case there's a power outage while you're asleep, for example.
• Restart and shut down. Don't leave it on standby for weeks without shutting it down completely. Restart the console from time to time to free up memory and avoid software glitches. This last tip applies better in extremely long sessions or if you prefer to leave it on standby regularly.

Take care of the discs and the reading unit (if applicable)

This tip may also be obvious to many of you, but throughout my life I have seen many things. Out of ignorance, you may not be particularly careful with your disk drives. If this is the case, I recommend that you change the way you proceed. That is, if your console has a disc drive and you are not very careful, it is better that:

• Handle it carefully. Do not touch the underside of the disc and store it in its case when not in use.
• Don't force it. Insert and remove discs carefully, without forcing the tray.
• Unnecessary movements. Avoid moving the console while the disc is in operation, as this can scratch it or damage the reading lens.

Do not use unofficial hardware or software

I'm well aware that many people may not be able to follow this advice, but it's one of the most important. After all, installing unofficial software or hardware can wreck your console in ways you can't even imagine.

This ranges from peripherals to video games. In a minor case, it can temporarily affect the performance of your console. In the worst case, it can break or brick it until you visit a specialist who can fix it.

And don't get me wrong: using unofficial hardware is not the same as not using a controller that doesn't come with the console. There are many official peripherals that are not manufactured by Sony, Xbox or Nintendo, for example. Razer, Logitech, Nacon, etc. are brands that publish official peripherals externally.

• Be careful what you install. Avoid installing unofficial firmware or modifications, as they can affect performance and cause permanent crashes.
• Use good accessories. Do not use low-quality generic accessories, as they can cause compatibility problems or even damage the console's ports.

Take care of the controls and accessories

Although this does not directly apply to the lifespan of your console, here are some tips to keep your peripherals in good condition.

• Charge the controllers correctly. Do not leave them connected to the charger unnecessarily and avoid letting the battery run out completely frequently.
• Maintenance: Clean the buttons and joysticks with a dry cloth and isopropyl alcohol if you notice dirt or response problems.
• Conservation. Keep the controllers in a safe place to avoid falls or damage to the sticks. Also, if they are stored, you will avoid dust getting into them after spending many hours on the shelf, for example.

Keep your console up to date and optimized

Although it may seem silly, patches and updates are very important. Among other things, they optimize the performance of our console and solve security problems. However, it is true that sometimes they can bring errors. This is why many people choose to wait a couple of days to see people's comments. It's not a bad idea.

• Update. Install software updates to improve system performance and stability.
• Optimize storage. Delete unnecessary games or files to prevent the system from becoming slow.
• Extras. Use compatible external hard drives or SSDs if you need more space without compromising performance. Make sure they are official and compatibility verified.

Avoid prolonged use without breaks

Having said that, the last two tips I will give you are:

• Rest. If you play for many hours at a time, give the console a break to avoid overheating and premature wear.
• Prioritize. Avoid playing while the console is updating or installing heavy games to reduce the strain on the hardware.