PlayStation 5 owners are asked not to put their console in a standing position. The reason is that this position can affect the internal parts of the PS5 to cause damage.
Sony does provide a stand that allows the PS5 to be placed in a standing (vertical) or sleeping (horizontal) position. In the last two years since its launch, it seems that the PS5's position has not caused any problems. But recent reports indicate otherwise.
According to a report from Wololo, placing the PS5 in a standing position causes the liquid metal layer between the PS5's Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) chip and cooler to move easily due to the influence of gravity.
Moving liquid metal shouldn't be a problem since it's firmly sealed. However, in some cases the PS5 seal between the API and cooler appears to be broken.
As a result, liquid metal leaks more easily when the PS5 is placed in a vertical position for a long time. These leaks can affect the cooling process of the processor, as a lack of liquid metal can cause overheating and other system problems.
This liquid metal can also be conductive, if it drips on other components it can cause a short circuit, as quoted from IGN, Monday (9/1/2023).
This issue was discovered by YouTuber and console repairman TheCod3r. He uploaded a video about a defect problem on the PS5 three months ago, and several other technicians also reported similar problems on social media.
Keep in mind that this issue may not affect all PS5 units. But just in case, it's best to put the PS5 in a sleeping position so it doesn't get damaged quickly.