PlayStation 5 owners should be careful when adding an SSD to their consoles, as the screw for the expansion cover can loosen more easily than some might expect. While the option for additional storage is nice, the setup has caused headaches for some PS5 players over the years.
Although it may be hard to believe, the PS5 is already five years old. Since its launch, the console has amassed an impressive library of first- and third-party games. Despite competition from Nintendo's Switch system, the PS5 has sold well. Earlier in 2025, Sony confirmed that the system had sold over 80 million units worldwide. While this number falls significantly short of the PS2's more than 160 million units, the current-gen console isn't far behind the likes of the PS3 on the all-time list. With millions of users picking up the console since 2020, there has been demand for extra storage space to accommodate players' growing libraries.
Even with the Switch 2 out, video game hardware sales just hit a 30-year low last month
A new report says that sales of video game hardware throughout November 2025 were down to a point not seen in three decades.
Be careful when adding an SSD to the PS5 Expansion Slot
While the PS5 includes an SSD expansion slot under the lid, owners should be careful when installing additional storage. As pointed out by Reddit user h974974, there have been many documented cases of players removing the PS5 screw while trying to complete the setup. As seen in their picture, the screws had been removed, and they said their attempts to fix them only made the situation worse.
In the comments on the post, the Reddit user provided some additional context behind his dilemma and revealed the final solution to the problem. They started by using a #1 standard screwdriver to try to remove the SSD screw. When that didn't work, they dropped to 0.5 crosshead, causing the screw to start loosening. Finally, the Reddit user managed to remove the damaged screw using 8-inch needle nose pliers. However, they warned other PS5 owners not to use screwdrivers smaller than a #1 Philips head. Additionally, they suggested using a pair of pliers to loosen the screw before attempting to completely remove it with a screwdriver.
As the responses in this Reddit post indicate, many other players have had issues with the SSD expansion slot. Additionally, an online search will turn up many recent Reddit posts on the issue. The consensus among the comments is to add an SSD to the PS5 with caution and to make sure to use the right equipment to minimize the risk of complications. However, it's understandable that some players are frustrated by how easy it seems to destroy the screw to the expansion slot. These complications also make external PS5 devices that connect via USB potentially more appealing despite not being able to play PS5 games directly.
It's worth noting that Sony is currently hosting its PlayStation Holiday Sale for 2025, which could give gamers more reason to invest in an SSD for their PS5 as their library fills up. The sale runs until January 21st, giving fans plenty of time to browse the PlayStation Store and search for new games. Selections 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 2026. As the company gears up for the new year, PS6 rumors continue to rumble. While most details remain unclear, reports suggest that there could be a handheld version of the console. Ultimately, fans will have to wait for the company to officially reveal its plans in the coming months. In the meantime, they can look forward to more PS5-exclusive games, such as Marvel's Wolverine and Sarosto store on their SSDs.
