The PlayStation 3 is an extraordinary machine that allows users to lose themselves in action-packed video game adventures for hours. Usually this process goes smoothly, but occasionally a PlayStation owner’s worst nightmare appears: the yellow light of death.

The yellow light of death, also known as YLOD, aptly named for Xbox’s red ring of death, is a major problem for PlayStation 3 owners. When the yellow light of death appears on the PlayStation console, the machine can no longer be used. . According to Sony, the yellow light of death indicates some kind of hardware failure.

YLOD usually shows up when the machine is about 2 years old, well beyond the one-year warranty provided by Sony. Owners must pay for a reconditioned machine, buy a new one, or find a solution to the dreaded yellow light of death. Users can fix this in two ways: they can try to fix it themselves, or they can pay Sony to fix it for them.

Many people try to fix the YLOD themselves or have a friend do it for them. If the individual knows what they are doing, this can be great. Without spending tons of cash for a machine you’ve already paid for, and without having to deal with annoying customer service and shipping costs. On the other hand, if the person or their friend is clueless about any kind of electronic device and miraculously tries to fix the YLOD, they may be in big trouble.

First of all, trying to fix the yellow light yourself completely ruins any warranty you may have had from Sony. They will no longer allow you to buy a cheaper reconditioned machine and they will not fix yours. Instead, if your attempts to fix it fail, you’ll be forced to start over, shelling out hundreds of dollars for a new machine. Second, you can really screw up your PlayStation. Since the YLOD doesn’t specify what the problem is, it doesn’t know what to fix. Just playing hoping that something works may not be too successful.

Whether you choose to buy new, buy refurbished, or get your machine repaired, don’t worry. Most said that less than 1% of PlayStation 3 consoles ever see the YLOD, so the chances of it happening again are slim, unlike the Xbox 360, with 33% of consoles getting the red ring. of death. Don’t think it’s the end of the world when you see the yellow light of death. Chances are, for a price, Sony can easily fix your console for you.