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Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace, upgrade, or customize the action (ABXY), Menu, View, Steam, and D-Pad buttons in your Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026).

If the buttons in your Steam Controller are damaged, sticking, or rattling, you may need to replace them. Swapping out the silicone button membranes may also fix the issue.

Problems with button inputs not registering may indicate an issue with the flexible button circuit If you suspect that's the case, follow this guide to replace it.

What you need

  1. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Before you begin: step 1, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Before you begin: step 1, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Before you begin: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Let your controller's battery drain below 25% before starting this repair.

    • Unplug all cables and accessories from the controller, including the Steam Controller Puck.

    • During your repair, it can be helpful to lay the Steam Controller on a clean, soft cloth for stabilization and to prevent scratches.

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  2. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: step 2, image 1 of 2 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    TR6 Torx Security Screwdriver
    $5.99
    Buy
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  3. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 3, image 1 of 2 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the back cover.

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  4. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. Never reinstall a swollen battery—replace it with a new one.

    • Lift the right edge of the battery to remove it.

    • During reassembly, first slide the left side of the battery into place so its connector is fully seated. Then, press the right side into place to secure it.

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  5. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket screws: step 5, image 1 of 2 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket screws: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • During the rest of your repair, don't forcefully push the controller down onto your work surface—you may damage the joysticks and touchpads.

    • Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the battery mounting bracket.

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  6. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket: step 6, image 1 of 2 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket: step 6, image 2 of 2
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  7. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: step 7, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: step 7, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Don't pull on the rumble motor's delicate wires—they're easily damaged. Be careful not to pinch the wires with your tweezers, and only pull on the connector itself.

    • Firmly grip the short edges of one rumble motor connector with a pair of tweezers and pull straight up to disconnect it

    • Grip the tweezers as close to the tip as possible to get a better hold on the connector.

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  9. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat to disconnect the other rumble motor.

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  10. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 9, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 9, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Be careful not to damage any of the small, surface-mounted components on the main board.

    • Use a spudger to lift the hinged locking flap on the interconnect cable ZIF connector, located on the bottom edge of the main board.

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  11. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use tweezers to grip the cable by its plastic pull tab and slide it out of the socket.

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  12. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the main board screws: step 11, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the main board screws: step 11, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the main board screws: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the main board.

    • When reinstalling the screws, raise the controller so the joysticks aren't pressed against your work surface—pressure on the joysticks can cause improper alignment and seating.

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  13. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the main board: step 12, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the main board: step 12, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the main board: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the main board down so the top corners clear the triggers.

    • You should be able to remove the board without removing the triggers. If you're having trouble, check out this guide to remove them.

    • Remove the main board, guiding the joysticks through their cutouts.

    • During reassembly, make sure the two rumble motor wires don't get trapped underneath the board. Use the four alignment posts to ensure the board is properly positioned.

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  14. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Rubber piece information: step 13, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Rubber piece information: step 13, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Rubber piece information: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • The rubber piece above the status LED may have been dislodged when removing the main board.

    • If the rubber piece is out of place, remove it and set it aside.

    • During reassembly, place the rubber piece so the two tabs are on the bottom and towards the back.

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  15. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the hinge pin: step 14, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the hinge pin: step 14, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the hinge pin: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • With one hand, hold one of the triggers down in the fully actuated position.

    • Don't let go of the trigger, or it will eject and you may lose its spring.

    • With your free hand, use tweezers to pull the hinge pin straight out and remove it.

    • During reassembly, hold the trigger down and slide the pin through both hinge holes—the pin will stop sliding once it's fully inserted. Test the trigger to ensure the pin was properly installed.

    • When correctly inserted, the pin's end will be alinged with the white rectangle on the board (labelled PIN)—the should be no wobble.

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  16. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the trigger: step 15, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the trigger: step 15, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the trigger: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the trigger straight up and remove it.

    • Remove the spring and store it in a safe place for reassembly.

    • The spring will either stick to the trigger's magnet or stay on its post.

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  17. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the other trigger: step 16, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the other trigger: step 16, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the other trigger: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat to remove the other trigger.

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  18. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Reassembly information: step 17, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Reassembly information: step 17, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Reassembly information: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • During reassembly:

    • Place one of the trigger springs over its post on the controller.

    • New line.

    • Put the trigger in place, making sure the spring goes over both of its posts (one on the controller and one on the trigger) and that the hinge holes are all aligned.

    • Hold the trigger down and slide the pin through both hinge holes—the pin will stop sliding once it's fully inserted.

    • Test the trigger to ensure the pin was properly installed.

    • Repeat to install the other trigger.

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  19. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the midframe screws: step 18, image 1 of 2 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the midframe screws: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the eleven 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the midframe.

    • When removing the screw in the center of the controller, be careful not to damage the plastic button membrane.

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  20. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 19, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 19, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the midframe: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the midframe straight up and remove it.

    • The buttons and their silicone pads are now sitting loose in their recesses. Be very careful not to flip the front shell, or the buttons will fall out.

    • During reassembly:

    • Check the two large silicone button pads and make sure they're aligned properly—if they aren't, button presses may feel off or not register.

    • Use the alignment posts to ensure the midframe is in the right position.

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  21. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the button membranes: step 20, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the button membranes: step 20, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the button membranes: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the three silicone button membranes.

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  22. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 21, image 1 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 21, image 2 of 3 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Buttons Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • Use tweezers to remove the D‑Pad, View, Steam, Menu, and ABXY buttons.

    • Alternatively, you can flip the front case over and let the buttons fall out.

    • To replace the Quick Access Menu button, you'll need to remove the remaining board attached to the front shell. Check out this guide to do so.

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

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

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