DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement

Introduction

If your DualShock 4 controller consistently fails to charge, use this step-by-step guide to replace a faulty ribbon cable as it is typically the root of the problem.

Before following this guide, disconnect your controller from the PS4 console.

What you need

Step 1 Check your controller model

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 2 Unfasten the rear case

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Unfasten the rear case: step 2, image 1 of 2

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Unfasten the rear case: step 2, image 2 of 2

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.

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Step 3 Remove the L1 button

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the L1 button: step 3, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 4 Remove the R1 button

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 5 Unclip the rear case

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Unclip the rear case: step 5, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 6

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 7

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.

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Step 8

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 9 Remove the rear case

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 9, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 9, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 9, image 3 of 3

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

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Step 10

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

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Step 11

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable 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.

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Step 12 Disconnect the interconnect cable

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 12, image 3 of 3

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.

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Step 13 Unfasten the light guide bracket

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Unfasten the light guide bracket: step 13, image 1 of 1

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the light guide bracket to the rear case.

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Step 14 Remove the light bar bracket

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light bar bracket: step 14, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light bar bracket: step 14, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light bar bracket: step 14, image 3 of 3

Remove the black spacer and white bracket from the light guide.

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Step 15 Peel the foam pads

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Peel the foam pads: step 15, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Peel the foam pads: step 15, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Peel the foam pads: step 15, image 3 of 3

Peel both foam pads from the light guide.

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Step 16 Remove the light guide

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light guide: step 16, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light guide: step 16, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light guide: step 16, image 3 of 3

Grab and lift the light guide from its alignment pegs on the rear case.
Remove the light guide.

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Step 17 Remove the light diffuser

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light diffuser: step 17, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light diffuser: step 17, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Remove the light diffuser: step 17, image 3 of 3

Push the light diffuser through the inside of the rear case and remove it.

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Step 18 Ribbon Cable

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Ribbon Cable: step 18, image 1 of 2

DualShock 4 Ribbon Cable Replacement, Ribbon Cable: step 18, image 2 of 2

Use your thumb to hold down the clear plastic cover to create space to remove the ribbon cable.
With the cover held down, use tweezers to remove the faulty ribbon cable.

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