The PlayStation 3 consoles are very good quality; so they are reliable and built to last. However, like with any other form of technology there are problems that can occur with this gaming console. There are a couple of problems that are very common with the Playstation 3, one of which is a red blinking light. The light itself is not the problem. It is merely a signal that there is something wrong with the console. If you are unaware of this signal and then it suddenly happens to you then you should not fear. Sometimes it is a signal of a very minor issue that can be fixed in a matter of minutes. When the red light first flashes one can send it to be repaired at a Sony Playstation 3 repair center, or one can try to figure it out alone.

If the red light begins to blink while the console is hot then it may simply be a matter of the console being overheated. If this is the case the problem can be temporarily resolved by switching the console off for half an hour and waiting for it to cool off. But, this is not a permanent solution to the problem. Sometimes the overheating is a direct result of one or both of two things; too much dust and / or insufficient air circulation. If you send it to a professional Playstation 3 repair center then the cost of the repairs can set one back around $150. However, there are things that can be done to resolve these problems without sending the console for repairs. For example, if the overheating is a result of insufficient air circulation then one can simply place the console somewhere else where there is a draft. If the overheating is happening because there is too much dust on the motherboard of the console then a simple fan of air can resolve the problem. After that, all that is required is to keep the console free of dust by regularly spraying it with air.

If the above solutions do not stop the red blinking light then there is another problem that has to be diagnosed and repaired. Sometimes misplaced connections of the cables can cause the red light to go off. It could also go off because the hard drive is not properly located and so is not working correctly.

The solutions in these instances are to simply make sure that the cables are correctly situated and connected and also to reinstall the hard drive. In order to reinstall the hard drive it has to be removed from the console. Then the connectors should be dusted and then replaced into the console. This very easy and quick process is usually all that is required to get the console working optimally again. If it does not work after it has been done once then one can try a couple more times.

If this process has been performed 3 times but the red light continues to blink then the last remaining option may be to simply purchase a new hard drive as the Playstation 3 repair strategies have not worked. Fortunately, it is not difficult to find Playstation 3 hard drives for replacement. Obviously, it is cheaper to simply buy the hard drive than to purchase a brand new PlayStation 3. Most often than not, it can be cheaper than sending the old hard drive for repairs. Before one purchases a new hard drive, it is recommended to first purchase a Playstation 3 repair guide. These are available on the internet and are not very expensive.