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PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement

Introduction

This guide shows how to remove and replace either adaptive trigger for your PlayStation Portal.

This repair is for the entire adaptive trigger module. The module includes the trigger, motor assembly, and supporting circuit board.

The repair is written using the right adaptive trigger module. If you're replacing the left trigger module, the procedure will be similar.

What you need

  1. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Power off your PlayStation Portal: step 1, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Power off your PlayStation Portal: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Before you begin repairs, power off your PlayStation Portal and unplug any cables.

    Edit

  2. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Pry up the L1 bumper: step 2, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Pry up the L1 bumper: step 2, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Pry up the L1 bumper: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Both bumpers are held in place with clips.

    • Rest a finger over the L1 bumper to prevent it from flying off when you pry.

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the top edge of the bumper and the white shell.

    • Pry up to unclip the bumper.

    • Slide the spudger along the seam to release any remaining clips.

    Edit

  3. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the L1 bumper.

    Edit

  4. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Pry up the R1 bumper: step 4, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Pry up the R1 bumper: step 4, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Pry up the R1 bumper: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat the procedure to pry up and remove the R1 bumper.

    Edit

  5. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 5, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 5, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • To install a bumper during reassembly:

    • Align the bumper into its slot.

    • Use a finger to press the bumper down firmly until it clicks into place.

    Edit

  6. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Loosen the left joystick trim strip: step 6, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Loosen the left joystick trim strip: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the tip of an opening pick underneath the left joystick trim strip, where it wraps below the grip.

    • Twist the opening pick to release the bottom clip.

    Edit

  7. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the tip of an opening pick underneath the outer edge of the trim strip.

    • Slide the opening pick along the edge to release the clips.

    Edit

  8. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the tip of an opening pick under the inner edge of the strip.

    • Slide the opening pick along the edge to release the clips.

    Edit

  9. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Grasp the bottom edge of the trim strip and slowly lift to release any remaining clips.

    • If the strip feels stuck, twist or shift the strip sideways to help release any stubborn clips.

    Edit

  10. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the left joystick trim strip: step 10, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the left joystick trim strip: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Lift and remove the left joystick trim strip.

    Edit

  11. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the right joystick trim strip: step 11, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the right joystick trim strip: step 11, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the right joystick trim strip: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat the procedure to unclip and remove the right joystick trim strip.

    Edit

  13. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 12, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • To reattach a trim strip during reassembly:

    • Use your fingers to align and clip the top edge in place.

    • Firmly press along the remaining edges to clip the strip in place.

    Edit

  14. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the back shell screws: step 13, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the back shell screws: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm‑long screws at the bottom tips of each grip.

    • You may need to peel off some tamper-evident stickers to access the screws.

    Edit

  15. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm‑long screws securing the top corners of the shell.

    Edit

  16. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Back shell information: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • The back shell is still secured with numerous clips. The next few steps will show how to unclip the shell while reducing the chance of damaging the clips.

    Edit

  17. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Unclip the back shell: step 16, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Unclip the back shell: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Push the flat edge of a spudger into the back shell's left, inner seam.

    • This releases the clip in that area while flexing the shell slightly, creating a larger outer seam.

    • Keep the spudger inserted in the seam.

    Edit

  18. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the tip of an opening pick into the shell's left, outer seam.

    • Slide the pick along the seam to release the clips securing the edge.

    • Keep a pick in the seam to prevent the shell from clipping back together.

    Edit

  19. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the spudger from the inner seam.

    Edit

  20. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat the previous three steps on the right side of the Portal to release the clips along the right edge.

    Edit

  21. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Carefully flip your Portal over.

    • Grasp the top edge of the back shell, near a corner.

    • Gently pull the top edge away until you feel the clips release in that corner.

    Edit

  22. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Pull along the top edge to release all the top edge clips.

    Edit

  23. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Grasp the bottom edge of the back shell, near the center.

    • Pull away with firm force to release the clips securing the bottom edge.

    Edit

  24. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the back shell: step 23, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the back shell: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the back shell.

    Edit

  25. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 24, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 24, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Reassembly information: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • To clip the back shell in place during reassembly:

    • Align the corners near the trigger buttons first.

    • Firmly press around the entire perimeter to clip the shell back in place.

    Edit

  26. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Loosen the right grip shell: step 25, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Loosen the right grip shell: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm‑long screws securing the right grip shell to the Portal.

    • From the back, these screws are on the left side of the Portal.

    • These screws can be tight. Brace the Portal with your hand and apply strong pressure to the screwdriver.

    • You can also try using a JIS #00 screwdriver to get a better grip on these screws.

    Edit

  27. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Grasp the top edge of the grip shell and twist it slightly outwards (away from the screen) to release the inner clips.

    Edit

  28. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the right grip shell: step 27, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the right grip shell: step 27, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the right grip shell: step 27, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the flat edge of a spudger underneath the inner edge of the grip shell, near the vibration motor.

    • Twist the spudger along the edge to unclip the bottom portion of the grip shell.

    • Remove the right grip shell.

    Edit

  29. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Loosen the adaptive trigger: step 28, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.5 mm‑long screws securing the adaptive trigger module to the frame.

    • These screws can be tight. Brace the Portal with your hand and apply strong pressure to the screwdriver.

    • You can also try using a JIS #00 screwdriver to get a better grip on these screws.

    Edit

  30. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 29, image 2 of 3 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 29, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully flip the Portal over so that the back is facing upwards.

    • Swing the adaptive trigger module out of its recess and position it so that the main cable connector is accessible.

    Edit

  31. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 2 PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement: step 30, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use tweezers to grasp the blue tab on the main flex cable

    • Firmly pull the cable straight out of its socket to disconnect it.

    • If you're having trouble, wiggle the cable slightly as you pull it out.

    Edit

  32. PlayStation Portal Adaptive Trigger Replacement, Remove the adaptive trigger: step 31, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the adaptive trigger.

    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.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Arthur Shi

Member since: 01/03/18

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