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How to Fix PS4 Controller Analog Drift (R3 or L3 not working)

Written By: Sabih Akram (and 2 other contributors)
  • Comments: 2
  • Favorites: 0
  • Completions: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

12

Time Required

15 - 25 minutes

Sections

1

Flags

0

Introduction

This is a guide for a Sony DualShock 4 PlayStation 4 Controller and can be used on any other companies’ controllers (Scuf or Custom Controllers).

This procedure will help fix an R3 or L3 button on a controller that is not working properly or is having issues when trying to move.

Take care during this whole operation as these are very small and sensitive parts, but be very careful in Steps 1 and 2 to not damage any wires that connect the controller and the battery, as well as while reassembling.

  1. Remove the four screws from the back of your controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver. Separate the front and the back of the controller.

    • Remove the four screws from the back of your controller using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

    • Separate the front and the back of the controller.

    Edit

  2. Unplug the ribbon cable to disconnect the touchpad from the controller itself. Be careful not to tear or damage the cable. Be careful not to tear or damage the cable.

    • Unplug the ribbon cable to disconnect the touchpad from the controller itself.

    • Be careful not to tear or damage the cable.

    Edit

  3. Unplug the battery from the controller and take it out.

    • Unplug the battery from the controller and take it out.

    • Be careful not to tear or damage the wire as this is an important component for your controller.

    Edit

  4. Remove the single screw from the black plate covering the motherboard using a Phillips #0 screwdriver. Remove the black plate from the controller. Remove the black plate from the controller.

    • Remove the single screw from the black plate covering the motherboard using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

    • Remove the black plate from the controller.

    Edit

  6. Disconnect the ribbon cable that connects the back of the controller to the motherboard. Remove the motherboard from the back of the controller. Be careful not to tear or damage this wire as it is important for your controller.

    • Disconnect the ribbon cable that connects the back of the controller to the motherboard.

    • Remove the motherboard from the back of the controller.

    • Be careful not to tear or damage this wire as it is important for your controller.

    Edit

  7. Remove the toggle sticks from the controller. Be careful of the sensors as they are very sensitive. Be careful of the sensors as they are very sensitive.

    • Remove the toggle sticks from the controller.

    • Be careful of the sensors as they are very sensitive.

    Edit

  8. Use a spudger to pry open the toggle stick sensor. Use a cotton swab with a little bit of rubbing alcohol to remove the grease and build-up from the sensor. Use a cotton swab with a little bit of rubbing alcohol to remove the grease and build-up from the sensor.

    • Use a spudger to pry open the toggle stick sensor.

    • Use a cotton swab with a little bit of rubbing alcohol to remove the grease and build-up from the sensor.

    Edit

  9. To reassemble the controller, place the back cover onto the motherboard. Slip the red wire through the controller cover and plug it in.

    • To reassemble the controller, place the back cover onto the motherboard.

    • Slip the red wire through the controller cover and plug it in.

    Edit

  10. Put the black plate back on top of the motherboard and screw it in. Make sure the back of the controller and the motherboard are firmly connected.

    • Put the black plate back on top of the motherboard and screw it in.

    • Make sure the back of the controller and the motherboard are firmly connected.

    Edit

  11. Plug the battery back in and put it in its place. Plug the white wire back into the motherboard. Plug the white wire back into the motherboard.

    • Plug the battery back in and put it in its place.

    • Plug the white wire back into the motherboard.

    Edit

  12. Connect the front cover and the back cover of the controller and screw the four screws back in. Connect the front cover and the back cover of the controller and screw the four screws back in.

    • Connect the front cover and the back cover of the controller and screw the four screws back in.

    Edit

  13. You're all done.

    • You're all done.

    Edit
Finish Line

8 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Sabih Akram

Member since: 09/20/2020

403 Reputation

1 Guide authored

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Team

York University, Team S3-G41, Melo-Thaiss Fall 2020 Member of York University, Team S3-G41, Melo-Thaiss Fall 2020

YORK-MELO-THAISS-F20S3G41

1 Member

1 Guide authored

One Comment

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Thank you for this!! So many great pictures!! :D

The drift for me also prevented or interrupted movement with the left analog stick. Menus would continue to scroll after i scrolled them or wouldn’t move my character on screen.

briandewitt - Reply

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