So your gaming console just crapped out mid-raid – now what? Do you fork over a couple thousand loonies for a shiny new rig, or drop a few hundred on repairs? These days, high-end consoles aren’t cheap – a PS5 Slim goes for around $650 CAD (digital $580), the Xbox Series X about $730 (Series S ~$450), and a Nintendo Switch around $420 (OLED $490). By contrast, most common repairs cost a fraction of that. In Canada, PS5/Xbox fixes (HDMI port, fan cleaning, etc.) often run $150–$200, and Switch fixes (screen, drift, charging port) can be even cheaper. In plain terms: repair costs << replacement costs, usually saving hundreds of dollars.

That said, the choice isn’t always cut-and-dry. Let’s break it down per console: cost, repairability, warranty, and value. We’ll cover when it makes sense to fix your machine, and when (if ever) a fresh start is smarter. (Spoiler: most of the time, repair wins the day – your wallet will thank you!)

PlayStation 5 – Repair or Replace?

Sony’s PS5 is a beast of a console, but even beasts can sneeze. New PS5s (Slim with disc drive) run about $650 CAD, and digital editions ~$580. That’s a hefty hit for a backup console! If your PS5 breaks, common issues include a dead console (no power or the dreaded “Blue Light”), an overheating fan, a broken HDMI port (no picture), or disc drive problems (won’t read discs).

Cost to fix vs. buy:
Buying a new PS5 Slim: ~$650. Fixing? Typical repair bills are usually in the hundreds, not thousands. For example: replacing an HDMI port is $199, a power supply repair ~$225, and cleaning/fan work ~$125. Even a disc-drive rebuild might be around $200 depending on the version – still well under replacement price. If Sony’s warranty has expired, Sony might quote ~$350+ (ouch!), whereas a local repair shop in Canada often charges ~$199 for a similar fix. Short story: you save around $400–$500 by repairing a typical PS5 issue instead of buying new.

Repairability:
The PS5 is surprisingly serviceable. It has a “relatively modular and repair-friendly design” with easy fan access and an off-the-shelf M.2 SSD slot. Most screws are Torx (no mystery bolts), and once you’re in, cooling and power parts are replaceable. That said, Sony does use a couple of Torx security screws and firmware locks, so full DIY is non-trivial. But in professional hands (like Barrie Screen Repair!), PS5 repairs are routine.

Warranty & Data:
New consoles come with a 1-year limited warranty on hardware. It covers defects (like dead power or overheating “Blue Light of Death”), but not your clumsy thumbs (drop damage, spills, etc.). If your PS5 is under warranty and the issue is a defect, get Sony to fix it for free. Otherwise, out-of-warranty repair is usually much cheaper than replacement. And good news: fixing keeps your game saves and installs intact. Your PSN profile, trophies, games and 100+ GB downloads all stay put on the console. You won’t have to re-download hours of titles if you repair. (Buy new? Hope you’ve synced saves to the cloud or you’ll start fresh.)

Verdict:
Fixing a broken PS5 normally trumps buying new. Save hundreds of dollars and keep your trusty console (and its data!). Replace only if the console is utterly trashed (e.g. burned-out board from a storm) or as a last resort.

Xbox Series X/S – Repair or Replace?

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s powerhouse (about $730 CAD), and the smaller Series S (512GB) is ~$450 (1TB S model ~$530). Like PS5, Xboxes have one-year hardware warranties and similar failure modes: busted HDMI (no signal), cranky disc drive, dust-clogged fans, or a dead power supply.

Cost to fix vs. buy:
A new Series X will set you back the price of a small island – about $730. Repairs are often cheaper than PS5 fixes, partly because Xbox parts (like HDMI ports) are plentiful. Professional fixes hover around $199 for common issues. Example: an HDMI port or power supply swap is roughly $199 We’ve seen cleaning-and-thermal-service for an overheating Series X go for ~$140 (a full spa day for your Xbox!). Even a drive repair is ~$200 – still far below replacement. So if your Xbox “catches a cold,” you save 500+ bucks by repairing vs buying new.

Repairability:
Xbox Series X earns a high repairability score. It’s “relatively modular and repair-friendly” – most screws are Torx, and internals (fan, board, power supply, disc drive) are accessible. However, some modern roadblocks exist: the SSD and software locks can make certain fixes tricky. In practice, though, a skilled tech can handle the usual repairs with no issue.

Warranty & Data:
New Xboxes come with a 1-year limited warranty (covering hardware fails, not drops). If in warranty, get Microsoft to do it free. Out-of-warranty fixes at a shop often cost a few hundred, as above. And like the PS5, fixing preserves your data. Thanks to Xbox Live’s cloud, your profile, game installs and save files stick around. A repair won’t kick you out of Game Pass – just plug it back and resume where you left off. If you bought a new Xbox, you’d face the headache of logging in, installing updates and re-downloading games (and yes, those gigabyte DLCs). Much better to repair and “no redownload, no re-sign-in.”

Verdict:
Repair usually wins for Xbox too. You’ll keep the same console (and cloud saves) while avoiding a hunt for stock and a big bill. Replace only if the machine is irreversibly wrecked or on fire – otherwise, fixing is champ. (Even for the smaller Series S, similar logic applies: a $199 fix vs $450 new means repair often saves you $200+.)

Nintendo Switch (Standard & OLED) – Repair or Replace?

In the Nintendo corner, we’ve got the Switch family. A new Switch (OLED model) is about $490 CAD and the standard Switch ~$420. The Switch Lite (handheld-only) is cheaper, but here we focus on the current full consoles. Since the Switch is a hybrid portable, its troubles are unique: Joy-Con drift, cracked touch screens, wonky USB-C charging ports, or just battery wear.

Cost to fix vs. buy:
A new Switch costs a few hundred bucks. Fixes often cost much less. For example: fixing Joy-Con drift is typically just a joystick replacement (~$40 per stick). Compare that to dropping $400 on a whole new system! Replacing a cracked screen (OLED or LCD) can be ~$125–$200. A new battery is about $70–$100. Even repairing a damaged USB-C charging port runs around $199 (yes, the USB-C on the Switch is soldered in tight – a tougher job, hence the price). Still, $199 beats $420 for a new console. Only in the rarest worst-cases (liquid-damaged motherboard requiring $400+ repair) might a new Switch make sense. Most Switch repairs wind up in the $70–$200 range, saving you hundreds.

Repairability:
Nintendo’s little machine has always been relatively modular. The Joy-Cons and storage are user-removable, and most parts inside are reachable with a screwdriver. Many Switch components are theoretically replaceable, but Nintendo doesn’t sell all parts. For example, the battery is glued in and the USB-C port is soldered to the board. In practice, skilled techs (like Barrie Screen Repair) can replace these – but it’s a tad fiddlier. Your best move: fix the specific broken part (joysticks, screen, battery, port) rather than tossing the entire system.

Warranty & Data:
New Switch consoles have a 1-year hardware warranty. It covers defects (like a factory-dud component) but not crashes to concrete or coffee spills. Importantly for data: Switch handles saves differently. You need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to back up most save files; even then, titles like Animal Crossing or Pokémon only partly support cloud saves. If your Switch dies with no backup, those hours (or years) of progress could vanish. On the flip side, buying a new Switch fresh means setting up all profiles again. So for gamers with tons of unsynced save data, repair might actually save your progress.

Verdict:
In most cases, repair is smarter for the Switch too. It’s especially true when the problem is a specific part like drift or a screen crack – fix the part for a low cost. Only if the Switch is utterly bricked (and would cost as much to repair as a new unit) should you cut bait and upgrade.

Bonus Round: The Hidden Costs of Buying New

Buying a new console has appeal – but don’t forget the hidden downsides. Aside from the sticker shock (and hunting stock), consider the time and sanity costs: re-downloading gigantic games (we’re talking 50–100+ GB each), reconfiguring settings, and maybe even replaying some stuff. Repairs usually mean zero data hassle – just swap parts, plug in, and play. There’s also the environment: repairing (recycling!) is greener than chucking a perfectly good computer for a slightly better model.

And let’s not forget sentiment. Consoles often have history with us – that PS5 that saw you through lockdowns, or that Switch that hosted birthday Mario Karts. Sending a faithful soldier to the scrapyard just to chase shiny-new-console syndrome can sting (and may give you buyer’s remorse).

TL;DR

In Canada, repairs for PS5/Xbox/Switch almost always cost much less than a new machine. Chances are high that a fix – even a modest $150–$200 job – buys you the same beloved console (and all your saves) while saving hundreds. Replace only if the device is beyond hope or you absolutely need the latest tech. Otherwise, repair is the heavyweight champion for your wallet.

So, Canadian gamers: next time your console has a meltdown, remember – your old friend isn’t dead yet. A pro repair shop can usually bring it back to life for way less than a new one. And if you’re looking for experts, Barrie Screen Repair has been proudly fixing consoles (and screens) in Ontario and beyond. We’re your local repair champions – come by or give us a shout, and we’ll help get you back in the game without breaking the bank.