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DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the motherboard in your Sony DualSense controller. Replacing the motherboard is necessary to resolve joystick drift and charging port failure. Make sure to purchase a motherboard that includes joysticks calibrated at the factory.

Note: This guide is for current DualSense controllers with FCC IDs that end with A. Check the back of your controller to verify your model. If yours ends in a 1, it is an early model and there will be internal differences. Follow these guides for the earlier version.

What you need

  1. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect and power down your controller before you begin.

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-right corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  2. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the opening pick along the lower-right edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  3. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-left corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  4. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the opening pick along the lower-left edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  5. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to lift up the bottom edge of the middle trim to release the remaining clips.

    • Lift the middle trim over the joysticks to remove it.

    • During reassembly, position the middle trim into place and press along all edges to engage the clips securing it to the controller.

    Edit

  6. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the flat end of your spudger into the gap above the L1 button.

    • Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.

    • Pry the spudger upward to remove the L1 button.

    Edit

  7. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the flat end of your spudger into the gap above the R1 button.

    • Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.

    • Pry the spudger upward to remove the R1 button.

    Edit

  8. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the case screws: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

    Edit

  9. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

    Edit

  10. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 10, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 10, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Use the pointed edge of a spudger to unclip the two clips on either side of the headset jack.

    Edit

  12. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 11, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Use your hands to carefully pull the rear case off of the controller.

    • During reassembly, make sure the red and black vibration motor wires are not pinched between the front and rear case.

    Edit

  13. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Reposition the battery: step 12, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Reposition the battery: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery out of its bracket and reposition it to the right for better access to the battery connector.

    • Don't strain the battery cables.

    Edit

  14. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the battery from the motherboard.

    • Don't pull on the wires to disconnect the battery.

    Edit

  15. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the battery: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the battery.

    Edit

  16. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the lower microphone: step 15, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the lower microphone: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use the pointed end of your spudger to remove the lower microphone from its bracket next to the battery.

    • During reassembly, make sure the end of the microphone's ribbon cable is slotted into the bracket.

    Edit

  17. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Grab the lower microphone ribbon cable pull tab with your fingers or a pair of tweezers and disconnect it from the motherboard.

    Edit

  18. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the battery bracket: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.5 mm screw securing the battery bracket.

    Edit

  19. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery bracket off of the motherboard.

    Edit

  20. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 19, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the right trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

    • Don't completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

    Edit

  21. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the right trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  22. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 21, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the left trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

    • Don't completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

    Edit

  23. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the left trigger assembly cable with a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  24. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 23, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the upper microphone from the motherboard.

    • Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

    Edit

  25. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the touchpad: step 24, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Disconnect the touchpad: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the touchpad cable from the motherboard.

    • Use the pull tab to disconnect the cable. Don't pull on the cable itself.

    Edit

  26. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Lift out the motherboard: step 25, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Lift out the motherboard: step 25, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Lift out the motherboard: step 25, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully guide the joysticks through the front case and lift the motherboard out.

    • Don't strain the four soldered wires tethering the motherboard to the vibration motors.

    Edit

  27. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Desolder the vibration motor wires: step 26, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Desolder the vibration motor wires: step 26, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Desolder the vibration motor wires: step 26, image 3 of 3

    • Flip the motherboard and midframe over to access the red and black vibration motor wires.

    • Use a soldering iron to disconnect the vibration motor wires from the motherboard.

    • During reassembly, refer to this photo to ensure the wires are soldered back to their correct positions.

    Edit

  28. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the joystick covers: step 27, image 1 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the joystick covers: step 27, image 2 of 3 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the joystick covers: step 27, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to remove the left and right joystick covers from the motherboard.

    • During reassembly, transfer the joystick covers onto the new motherboard.

    Edit

  29. DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the speaker: step 28, image 1 of 2 DualSense Controller v2 Motherboard Replacement, Remove the speaker: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Use your fingers to remove the speaker and foam pad from the motherboard.

    • Only the motherboard remains.

    • During reassembly, transfer the speaker and foam pad to the new motherboard.

    • Make sure the gold contacts on the speaker are aligned with the gold contacts on the motherboard.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

3 other people completed this guide.

Author

Sam Omiotek

Member since: 02/25/19

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One Comment

"Replacing the motherboard is necessary to resolve joystick drift and charging port failure." Cleaning the joysticks out with compressed air and/or rubbing alcohol can often resolve the drift issue until it needs to be cleaned again. Joystick replacement is an option without total board replacement. Controllers possibly to calibrate at startup and can be reset to calibrate as well https://osgamers.com/frequently-asked-qu...
Charge port failure definitely doesn't require a board replacement. It's the pins are small, but should be manageable with flux.

Allen Millington - Reply

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