Replacing the thermal paste on an Xbox is something more and more gamers ask about. A customer who booked a clean at Blue Apple in Amsterdam, for example, asked straight away whether the thermal paste and thermal putty could be replaced as well. A good question, but it is not always necessary. This article explains what paste and putty do, when replacing really helps, what can go wrong if you do it yourself and how we handle it.
Blue Apple repairs Xbox consoles in Amsterdam. If your Xbox runs hot because of dust, read Xbox overheating or loud first.
What does thermal paste do?
The chip in your Xbox gives off a lot of heat. A heatsink sits on top of it. Between the chip and the heatsink there are tiny irregularities with air, and air conducts heat poorly. Thermal paste fills that space so the heat moves well into the heatsink. Thermal putty or pads do the same for other parts, such as the memory and the power circuitry on the motherboard.
Does thermal paste dry out?
Yes, after a number of years paste can dry or shift from all the heating and cooling. Heat then escapes less well. You notice a fan that spins harder and a console that gets hot faster. But on many consoles a few years old, dust is the main cause, not the paste.
When is replacing worthwhile?
- The console stays hot and loud, even after the dust is out.
- The Xbox has been used heavily for several years.
- The heatsink was removed before and not refitted properly.
- On opening, the paste turns out dry, discoloured or unevenly spread.
When not?
- On a fairly new console without complaints.
- If the heat comes from a poor spot, such as a closed cabinet.
- If the fan is broken: new paste will not help then.
The risks of doing it yourself
- Opening: the case is held by clips and screws with special heads. Tabs break easily.
- Cables: thin cables run to the buttons and power supply inside. They can tear.
- Too much or too little paste: too little causes hot spots, too much can run past the chip.
- Putty and pads: these have a set thickness. The wrong thickness stops the heatsink seating properly.
- Static: can damage parts on the motherboard.
Series X, Series S and Xbox One
All three use thermal paste between the chip and the heatsink. The Series X has a large heatsink with a vapour chamber, the Series S a more compact one. On an older Xbox One, dried paste is more often the cause of heat, simply because those consoles are older.
Check what is going on yourself first
You can see a lot yourself: if you hear the fan in the menu, the top feels very warm and the console switches off in heavy games, heat is not being removed properly. First put the Xbox in a free spot and clear the dust from the vents. If it stays like that, a clean inside is the next step.
How we handle it
- We clean the console first: fan, air ducts and heatsink.
- We measure the temperature under heavy load.
- If it is still too high, or we see on opening that the paste is dry, we discuss with you whether to replace the thermal paste and, where needed, putty or pads.
- We test again and compare the temperature.
We do nothing extra without your approval. See Xbox Series X cleaning, Xbox Series S cleaning or Xbox repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Will my Xbox be quieter with new paste?
If the paste was the problem, yes. If it is dust, the clean helps most.
How long does new thermal paste last?
Good thermal paste lasts for years when applied properly.
Can I use my Xbox straight after the clean?
Yes. We test it first, then you can play straight away.
