How to repair a faulty PS5 using UART
Introduction to UART
As games consoles become more and more faster, powerful and exciting, their design and construction become more and more complex.
In turn the harder they become to repair even for the most competent repair centres. Given that Sony (or Microsoft) do not release schematics for their consoles, repairs often come down to experience and diagnostic skills at each repair centre.
However, there is an ever growing method to help the diagnostics for a whole range of electronic devices, including PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PlayStation 4 (PS4) – enter the UART interface.
In this guide, we show you how to repair a faulty PS5 with UART the ease and simple way.
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What is UART?
UART, or universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter, is a very commonly used device-to-device communication protocol.
It has been around for decades and was first used in computers in the 1980s.
Today, most modern microchips especially microcontrollers and communication ICs, have TTL (Transistor to Transistor Logic) imbedded into their on-chip circuits meaning they use bit level data to communicate what is going on within the IC, and more importantly for us, this includes error data.
UART can read this simple transmit and receive TTL data which can be text, numeric, control and binary, in turn allowing allow us to read and translate the data.
How do we repair a faulty PS5 with UART?
By using a simple UART reader interface, we can read the TTL data from the PlayStation 5 directly on our computer.
The process does include soldering a few wires inside the PS5, so you will need some soldering skills and a soldering iron.
Once we have the UART reader connected we can then read the error log data from the PS5 and translate it into meaningful text to help us diagnose the issue.
What UART reader should I use on my PlayStation 5?
You can pretty much use any UART interface reader that is TTL compatible, just check that you choose a model that has the correct USB A or USB C connector for your computer. A selection of UART readers that are available from Amazon or eBay.
Below are a few options:
DAOKAI CP2102 USB-UART Converter 6 in 1
USB to TTL Serial Adapter Module Multifunctional(USB to TTL 485 232, TTL to 232 485, RS232 to 4850) 2Mbps for Windows 7/8/10, Linux, for Arduino
JESSINIE Industrial USB to Serial Adapter UART Serial Adapter
FT232RL Serial to USB Converter USB to TTL Adapter Port Module Support Multi Systems and Multi Protection Circuits with Shell
What software do I need to read UART from my PS5?
There are three main packages that currently can read UART codes from the PS5.
Two are free options, and the last is a paid package, but as you would expect, it does come with more features than the free versions.
| Software | Developed By | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Wee Tools | Andy Mann | Free |
| Console Service Tool | Amoamare | Free |
| BWE Tools | Better Way Electronics | £100/$117 |
How to connect your UART reader to the PS5?
On the motherboard of the PS5, there are a number of solder points (pads) where you need to connect your UART reader.
You will need a soldering iron to connect the three wires (Receive, Transmit and Ground).
The location of the solder points (pads) if different depending on the version of PlayStation 5 motherboard you have. Please see the diagrams below for more information:
Running the software to repair a faulty PS5 with UART
Once you have installed your choice of software and have soldered the Transmit, Receive and Ground wires to the PlayStation 5 motherboard, follow these steps to read your error codes.
- Connect your UART reader to a USB port on your PC
- Run your choice of software
- Connect the power to your PS5 (do not push the power button)
- Follow the instructions for your choice of software
- Read your error codes
How to translate the error codes from the PS5?
If you are using the free versions of the software listed above, you will need a method of translating the error codes UART reads, into something more human to understand.
You can use google to help you, but a quick a easier way to translate is to hop over to UARTCodes.com and enter your code.
UARTCodes.com is being developed by TheCod3r, a fellow console repair technician.
Check out UARTCodes.com for more information.
Need more information?
We recently posted a video of us using UART to diagnose a PS5 with the 2 second blue light of death issue – watch the video to see us using UART and PS5 Wee Tools below