There’s are several common errors the PlayStation 3 gets. The main indicator that something is wrong with your PlayStation 3 is the color of the system light; it can be yellow, red, or green.
Red Light: A flashing red light indicates general hardware failure which means internal components are failing.
Yellow Light: A yellow light means your PlayStation 3 is overheating. This is usually caused from a buildup of dust inside the fans and heatsink.
Green Light: A green light means your video card is having problems.
The PlayStation 3 is also known to have problems with the optical drive or laser and problems with the file-system. Known symptoms include not reading discs or showing a black screen when trying to play a movie or game.
If you need to clean your game disc follow these instructions: How to Clean Your Game Disc