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DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the front case, also called a front panel or shell, in your DualShock 4 model CUH-ZCT1U controller.

What you need

  1. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Check your controller model: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Check the model number on the back of your controller. This guide was written using model CUH-ZCT1U. If you have another model, the guide procedure and replacement parts may differ slightly.

    • If you have the second generation DualShock 4, model CUH-ZCT2U, use these guides.

    Edit

  2. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Unfasten the rear case: step 2, image 1 of 2 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Unfasten the rear case: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
    $3.99
    Buy

    • If you need to stabilize your controller during this repair, lay it on a soft surface such as a microfiber cloth.

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm-long screws securing the rear case.

    Edit

  3. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Use an opening pick to pry each corner of the L1 button from the front case.

    • Cover the button to prevent it from ejecting out of your workspace.

    • Remove the button.

    Edit

  4. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the R1 button: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Use your opening pick to pry and remove the R1 button, just as you did for the L1 button.

    Edit

  5. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Six plastic clips secure the rear case to the front case. The next four steps demonstrate how to release these clips before you can open the controller.

    • Insert your opening pick at a downward angle between the front case and rear case, halfway between the handle and the action buttons.

    • Slide your pick toward the handle and pry up to release the first clip.

    • Repeat this procedure on the other side of the controller to release the second clip.

    Edit

  6. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Two more clips secure the rear case near the extension port and the headphone jack.

    • Insert your opening pick between the front case and rear case at either side of the ports.

    • Twist your pick to unclip this section of the rear case from the front case.

    • If the rear case feels stuck, insert and twist your pick from different angles.

    • Don't open the controller yet, as it's still held together by two very delicate clips near the triggers.

    Edit

  7. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • The final two clips are very delicate, and must be disengaged from inside the controller. If you break them, don't worry—it won't affect this repair or your controllers functionality.

    • Locate the clips by looking through the gap above the R2 or L2 buttons.

    Edit

  8. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the point of a spudger through the gap above the R2 button and push the retaining clip outward.

    • While pushing the clip outward, slowly pull the rear case away from the front case until you feel them separate.

    • Don't fully open the controller until each of the R2 and L2 clips have been disengaged.

    • Repeat this procedure for the clip near the L2 button.

    Edit

  10. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 9, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 9, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Press the R2 button and slide the rear case over it.

    Edit

  11. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Press the L2 button and slide the rear case over it.

    Edit

  12. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Flip the rear case over the top of the controller and lay it down, being careful not to strain the interconnect cable.

    Edit

  13. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
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    • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the interconnect cable by pulling its blue pull tab straight out of the socket.

    • During reassembly, reconnect the cable with its blue pull tab facing the outside of the controller.

    Edit

  14. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 1 of 2 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to grab and disconnect the head of the battery cable from the motherboard.

    • Only pull on the head of the connector—don't pull on the cable itself.

    Edit

  15. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the battery: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the battery.

    Edit

  16. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the reset button extension: step 15, image 1 of 2 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the reset button extension: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Grab and remove the reset button extension from its recess in the battery bracket.

    Edit

  17. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the battery bracket: step 16, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the battery bracket: step 16, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the battery bracket: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Locate the two clips securing the battery bracket to the motherboard.

    • Insert the point of your spudger into the opening behind the right bracket clip.

    • Depress the clip to disengage it from the motherboard.

    • Lift up the right edge of the battery bracket.

    Edit

  18. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the point of your spudger in the opening behind the left bracket clip.

    • Depress the clip to disengage it from the motherboard.

    • Remove the battery bracket.

    Edit

  19. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the touch pad: step 18, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the touch pad: step 18, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Disconnect the touch pad: step 18, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use the point of your spudger to flip up the locking flap securing the touch pad cable ZIF connector.

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the cable using its blue pull tab.

    Edit

  20. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Unfasten the motherboard: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw securing the motherboard.

    • During reassembly, hold the motherboard tight to the front case before fastening it. Test each button to ensure the silicone button pads are properly aligned. If each button presses as expected, fasten the motherboard.

    Edit

  21. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 20, image 1 of 2 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Grab the midframe by its plastic protrusions or the vibration motors and remove it.

    • Be careful not to separate the motherboard from the midframe, as they're only connected to each other by the vibration motor cables.

    • During reassembly, take your time positioning the midframe. Use the alignment posts to help guide it into place, and make sure the touch pad cable doesn't become trapped underneath.

    Edit

  22. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the Share and Options buttons: step 21, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the Share and Options buttons: step 21, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the Share and Options buttons: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the Share and Options buttons from the front case.

    • During reassembly, there's only one way for each button to insert. If one doesn't fit, flip it and try the other recess.

    Edit

  23. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the silicone button pads: step 22, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the silicone button pads: step 22, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the silicone button pads: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the three silicone button pads from their buttons in the front case:

    • The squared off pad for the directional pad

    • The rounded pad for the action buttons

    • The small pad for the home button

    • If you wish to remove the silicone button pads for the touch pad, Share, and Options buttons, follow this step. Otherwise, continue for the standard set of buttons.

    • During reassembly, align the pads over their cutouts in the front case and apply pressure to secure them. The directional pad and action button pad can be rotated in any direction. Orient the home button pad with the opening of the U-shaped cutout facing the touch pad.

    Edit

  24. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the remaining buttons: step 23, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the remaining buttons: step 23, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Remove the remaining buttons: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the directional pad, action buttons, and home button from the front case.

    • During reassembly, use the alignment tabs to orient each button into its recess. Each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

    Edit

  25. DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Front Case: step 24, image 1 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Front Case: step 24, image 2 of 3 DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Front Case Replacement, Front Case: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the bottom edge of the touch pad.

    • Rotate the touch pad and slide it through its cutout in the front case to remove it.

    • You're now left with the front case.

    • During reassembly, make sure the cable doesn't get stuck under the cutout in the front case.

    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.

32 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 6 other contributors

Clay Eickemeyer

Member since: 09/19/22

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1 Guide Comment

As of March 14, 2023, this guide has been updated! Comments regarding step procedures may no longer be relevant.

Clay Eickemeyer - Reply

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