playstation 5 Owners should use caution when adding SSDs to their consoles. This is because the screws on the extension cover may come off more easily than some might expect. The additional storage option is nice, but its installation has caused headaches for some PS5 gamers over the years.
It may be hard to believe, but the PS5 is already five years old. Since launch, the console has amassed an impressive library of first-party and third-party games. Despite competition from Nintendo's Switch family of systems, the PS5 sold well. As of early 2025, Sony confirmed that the system had sold more than 80 million units worldwide. While these numbers are significantly short of the PS2's 160 million units, the current-gen console isn't far behind the PS3 on the overall list. With millions of users picking up consoles starting in 2020, there is a need for additional storage to accommodate gamers' growing libraries.
Even with the release of Switch 2, video game hardware sales hit a 30-year low last month.
Video game hardware sales fell to levels not seen in 30 years throughout November 2025, according to a new report.
Be careful when adding an SSD to the PS5 expansion slot
The PS5 includes an SSD expansion slot under its lid, but owners will need to be careful when installing additional storage. As highlighted by Reddit user h974974, there have been many documented cases of gamers having their PS5 screws ripped off while trying to complete the installation. As you can see in the photos, the screws were stripped, and trying to fix them only made the situation worse, he said.
In the comments of the post, the Reddit user provided further context to the dilemma and revealed the final solution to the problem. They started by using a #1 standard Phillips screwdriver to remove the SSD screws. When that didn't work, I dropped it on the 0.5 crosshead, which caused the screws to start stripping. Ultimately, the Reddit user used 8-inch needle-nose pliers to remove the damaged screw. However, they warned other PS5 owners not to use drivers smaller than a #1 Phillips head. They also suggested using pliers to loosen the screw before completely loosening it with a screwdriver.
Many other gamers have also had issues with their SSD expansion slots, as evidenced by the responses to this Reddit post. You can also find more recent Reddit posts about the issue by searching online. The consensus is that adding an SSD to your PS5 should be done cautiously and with the right equipment to minimize the risk of complications. However, it's understandable that some players are frustrated with how easy it is to break the screws in the expansion slots. These issues make external PS5 drives that connect via USB potentially more attractive, despite not being able to play PS5 games directly.
It's worth noting that Sony is currently holding a 2025 PlayStation Holiday Sale. This could give gamers more reason to invest in an SSD for PS5 once their libraries fill up. The sale runs until January 21st, giving fans plenty of time to explore the PlayStation Store and discover new games. The games selected include both AAA and indie titles, including some of the most popular games of the year.
Time will tell what Sony has in store for PlayStation in 2026. As the company prepares for the new year, rumors about the PS6 continue to swirl. Most details are still vague, but reports suggest there could be a portable version of the console. Ultimately, fans will have to wait until the company officially reveals its plans in the coming months. In the meantime, they can look forward to more PS5 exclusive games, such as: Marvel's Wolverine and sarosSave it to SSD.
