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Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the buttons on a Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.

Note: This guide is for DualSense controllers with an FCC ID ending in 1. Check the back of your controller to verify your model. If yours ends in A, there will be differences in the internal design.

What you need

  1. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button 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. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button 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. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button 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. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button 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. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button 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.

    Edit

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

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

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

    • Pry upward to remove the L1 button.

    Edit

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

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

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

    • Pry upward to remove the R1 button.

    Edit

  8. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 8, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the rear case: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

    Edit

  9. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

    Edit

  10. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: 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

  11. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the rear case.

    • On some revisions, the rear case is held with two more clips next to the previously removed bumpers. If the rear case doesn't open without force, check for those clips.

    Edit

  13. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 12, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 12, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

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

    • Grip the connector, not the wires, when disconnecting.

    Edit

  14. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the battery: step 13, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the battery: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery straight out of the battery bracket.

    Edit

  15. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the lower microphone: step 14, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the lower microphone: step 14, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

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

    Edit

  16. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the battery bracket: step 15, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the battery bracket: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw securing the battery bracket.

    Edit

  17. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery bracket out of the motherboard.

    Edit

  18. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 17, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 17, image 2 of 2

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

    • Do not completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

    Edit

  19. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

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

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  20. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 19, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 19, image 2 of 2

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

    • Do not completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

    Edit

  21. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the left trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and pull up to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  22. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 21, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the upper microphone ribbon cable pull tab, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    Edit

  23. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the touchpad: step 22, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Disconnect the touchpad: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the touchpad ribbon cable pull tab, and pull it straight out of the motherboard connector.

    Edit

  24. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Lift out the motherboard: step 23, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Lift out the motherboard: step 23, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Lift out the motherboard: step 23, image 3 of 3

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

    • Do not completely remove the motherboard. There are four soldered wires tethering the motherboard to the vibrator motors.

    Edit

  25. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the light guide: step 24, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the light guide: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 8.5 mm screws securing the light guide.

    Edit

  26. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the light guide bracket.

    Edit

  27. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the light guide.

    Edit

  28. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the speaker: step 27, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the speaker: step 27, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the speaker: step 27, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the speaker from the midframe.

    • Be sure to reinstall the speaker in the correct orientation with the foam pad on the left side and the gold contact points on the right.

    Edit

  29. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 28, image 1 of 2 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the midframe to the front case.

    Edit

  30. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 29, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement: step 29, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully lift the midframe and motherboard up and out of the front case.

    • Be careful not to strain the vibrator motor wires.

    • During reassembly, feed the touchpad's ribbon cable back through its rectangular opening in the midframe.

    Edit

  31. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the conductive silicone rubber: step 30, image 1 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the conductive silicone rubber: step 30, image 2 of 3 Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the conductive silicone rubber: step 30, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the three conductive silicone rubber pads from the inside of the front case.

    • The buttons are resting loose in the front case.

    Edit

  32. Sony DualSense Controller Button Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 31, image 1 of 1

    • Hold the front case close to the surface of your table and slowly turn the front case over to let the buttons fall out.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps 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.

25 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Sam Omiotek

Member since: 02/25/19

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288 Guides authored

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3 Comments

good step by step list. easy to follow. thanks

Marc Lazure - Reply

Wayyyyy too much Daddy-O

Guy - Reply

Thanks for the awesome guide. I fixed my sticky buttons.

Jan - Reply

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