What does a yellow light on a PS3 mean?

A yellow light on a PS3 often indicates hard drive failure or that the console is overheating, but this LED can warn the user about several different problems. The yellow light sometimes signals that there has been a power surge, that the interior of the console has become too dusty to operate properly or that vital components within the console, such as the motherboard or power supply, are malfunctioning.

Players have dubbed this the "Yellow Light of Death," as it often occurs when the console no longer functions when it is turned on. If the PS3 is still under warranty when the yellow light appears, it can be sent back to Sony for repair or replacement.