Console · Sony · PlayStation 4 Slim
Sony PlayStation 4 Slim Controller Repair
Controller Repair guide for the Sony PlayStation 4 Slim
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic opening tool
- Precision tweezers
- Spudger
- Anti-static wrist strap
Parts / materials
- Isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
- Cotton swabs
- Replacement DualShock 4 thumbsticks
Safety
- Disconnect the battery promptly to avoid short-circuiting sensitive board components.
- Do not puncture, bend, or force the lithium-ion battery pack.
- Handle delicate ribbon cables carefully to prevent tearing the conductive traces.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Remove the four rear screws
2 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.0 mm screws located on the back of the DualShock 4 controller.
- 2
Pry open the left handle seam
3 minInsert a plastic opening tool into the seam along the left controller handle and gently pry the casing apart.
- 3
Release the right handle clips
3 minSlide the opening tool along the bottom edge to the right handle, prying open the internal plastic clips.
- 4
Separate the upper and lower casing
2 minCarefully pull the top and bottom shells slightly apart near the trigger buttons without strain on internal cables.
- 5
Disconnect the light bar ribbon cable
2 minUse precision tweezers to grasp the light bar flex cable connector near the motherboard and pull it straight out.
- 6
Unplug the battery connector
2 minGrasp the white plastic battery plug with tweezers and pull it straight out from the motherboard socket.
- 7
Remove the internal battery pack
1 minLift the rechargeable lithium-ion battery out of the plastic retention tray.
- 8
Unscrew the battery bracket
2 minRemove the single Phillips #00 screw located in the center of the plastic battery holding tray.
- 9
Detach the battery tray
2 minUnhook the small plastic clips securing the battery tray and lift it off the motherboard assembly.
- 10
Disconnect the touchpad ribbon cable
3 minUse tweezers to flip up the locking tab on the touchpad ZIF connector and slide the ribbon cable out.
- 11
Remove the motherboard assembly
3 minGently lift the main circuit board together with the attached rumble motors out of the front housing.
- 12
Pull off the worn thumbstick caps
2 minGrasp the rubber thumbstick caps firmly and pull them straight up off the analog potentiometer shafts.
- 13
Clean the analog stick sensors
4 minApply a small amount of high-percentage isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab and thoroughly clean the analog potentiometers.
- 14
Install the new thumbsticks
2 minAlign the flat sides of the new thumbstick caps with the potentiometer stems and press them down firmly.
After your Sony PlayStation 4 Slim controller repair
Power the PlayStation 4 Slim back on and test the controller repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Sony PlayStation 4 Slim job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Sony PlayStation 4 Slim repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
