iFixit - Active Questions With Device "PlayStation Controller"

DualSense Controller V4: What the problem with my x button

Sat, 02 May 2026 15:54:41 -0700

So the problem is that I was given a PS5 controller, but when I turned it on, the X button didn’t work, so I couldn’t log into any account. I opened the controller and did some cleaning I found online, but even after that it still didn’t work. I even removed the rubber piece from the PS button and tried to make contact with the X button membrane, but it still didn’t work.

I know it’s not a problem with the rubber because I used the same PS button rubber and touched the circle button membrane, and on the PS5 the controller registered a back action. That’s why I’m asking, because I don’t know if it’s a circuit issue or something with the pins, and I also don’t know how to fix it. I imagine it would require soldering, and I’m not very good at that and don’t have the right tools.

Whoever can help me, I would really appreciate it.

⟐ Answered May 02, 2026 at 15:54 MST

DualShock 4: Is the broken front via going to prevent the controller from working?

Sat, 02 May 2026 15:51:52 -0700

Its really tough to take the sticks of without break something is this broken trace going to prevent my controller from work if so can it be fixed?

DualShock 4: Will this cause any issues part 2?

Sat, 02 May 2026 10:53:13 -0700

So I noticed more of the mask scrapped off the first two picture are from the front of the board, the next two are in the back and the last two are various spots on the boards. I've videos online people running into the same issue and applied solder mask on it

DualShock 4: Will this cause any issues?

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:55:11 -0700

My impatience will the end of me I noticed a scratch on the top of the board will this cause me issues?

⟐ Answered May 02, 2026 at 0:55 MST

DualShock 4: Stick drift and trigger issue

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:47:20 -0700

help my joystick aint stick drifting its more like Tokyo drifting, I have attached media of one.

my main controller had trigger issues which was giving a response when I wasn't even using the triggers so I used the same conductive film but switched the hardware of my other controller's pcb board which wasnt turning on and then the trigger issue was resolved but the that Tokyo drift issue came up so I guess the board is the issue but I'm not sure

⟐ Edited April 30, 2026 at 4:47 MST

DualShock 4 CHU-ZCT2U: L2 Trigger influences Right joystick

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:44:30 -0700

I've been trying to repair a Dualshock 4 controller (JDM-055) that had the following issue:

Pressing the L2 trigger induced an input on the right joystick's Y axis. So pressing L2 made the camera go up.

What I've attempted: Opening up the controller, cleaning it, and making sure all the contacts were clean and aligned. Once that was done, I test it again on gpadtester and it was still displaying the same fault. So I thought maybe the joystick was faulty and leaking current somehow and de-soldered it. It's still behaving the same even without any joystick there, it just pegs the value further up. Is this a known issue? Is the main PCB toast? I can't think of anything else other than a drifted resistor somewhere or a PCB crack, which probably wouldn't be worth repairing. Any tips appreciated!

Image of what gpadtester looks like when pressing L2 with no joystick installed. When released, the input hovers near the edge of the circle. When pressing, it goes up.

Hi again, I've changed the circuit membrane, and now the two triggers are stuck on 1 no matter whether I press them or not. I've checked and both the membrane and the gaskets are seated properly. All other buttons are working. The right joystick is still empty. Any idea what the issue could be? Thanks!

⟐ Commented April 30, 2026 at 4:44 MST

DualSense Controller V4: R2 button not working

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:49:50 -0700

Hi, I recently noticed that my controller has like a little drift in the R2 button and when I press the L2, it also press the R2. I wanted to know if anyone know what it is or how to fix it. Thank you.

⟐ Answered April 28, 2026 at 13:49 MST

DualShock 4: Controller won’t connect?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:01:28 -0700

My controller for some reason will not connect with my PlayStation. I plug it in and it recognizes the controller is there but the controller doesn’t work after the log in page even when it’s charged. How can I fix this?

⟐ Commented April 27, 2026 at 18:01 MST

DualShock 4: Is the rear via torn?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:31:23 -0700

I'm finding out how delicate these ps4 boards are so I saw this and it looks torn. I was able to get continuity between the bigger ground vias and the other live one

⟐ Answered April 27, 2026 at 7:31 MST

DualShock 4: Are these vias broken?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:28:00 -0700

Hi so I removed the analog sticks on my motherboard and I noticed some tears on via in front and Also the bottom one is it bridged? I did a continuity test and got a continuous beeping sound on that trace.

⟐ Answered April 27, 2026 at 7:28 MST

DualSense Controller v2: Pad tore off headphone jack spot on board

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:13:05 -0700

Tried replacing head phone jack and 1 pad tore off, can it still be saved? Where does this pad connect to?

⟐ Edited by author April 25, 2026 at 16:13 MST

DualShock 4: Is there a cut trace on the hole(via I think)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:01:06 -0700

Hi, the king of cut traces has returned this time its a on the via I think its called. It is on the front of the via the back its fine. The first three pictures are in the front of it

⟐ Answer accepted April 25, 2026 at 14:01 MST

DualShock 4: Is the mask scrapped off or a torn trace?

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:05:35 -0700

Ok, I found another possible torn trace I think I might've just scrapped of the mask cause I did a continuity test among that path and got a continuous beeping sound

⟐ Answer accepted April 21, 2026 at 20:05 MST

DualShock 4: Controllers Turns Off Right After Connecting + Nuances

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:17:12 -0700

I have checked this forum far and wide but haven't found my answer nor does it describes my issues. My issue im getting is that after paring/connecting to my PC or iPhone via bluetooth with pulsing yellow light, it simultaneously shuts off like it lost power. Heck, my Linux PC thinks the battery is less than 5% remaining.

I have swapped out the battery with a new one and still getting the same problem. I have confirmed the battery are charged as both the old and new battery reads 4V on my voltmeter. When I hook it up to an wall charger however, it connects then stayed powered on.

I have also done the trivial troubleshooting such as holding the PS button and Select/Share button to re-pair (Bluetooth), also press & holding the Reset button for 10 seconds to wipe out the paired address but to no avail. I do not have a PS4 console if its somehow needed to access certain settings or tools

If the community are stumped then im fine with using this controller soley wired as that works correctly.

Edit: I should mention that I never seen the LED bar changed to other colors other than Yellow & Off.

Edit 2025-11-19: Okay, I've seen the LED changed to green when plugged into my PC and playing a game, specifically Ace Combat 7.

⟐ Answer accepted April 20, 2026 at 21:17 MST

DualShock 4 CHU-ZCT2U Generation 4: Burnt a chip in the right of the touch pad 😭🙏

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:34:33 -0700

So i connected my controller but to the wall instead of my ps4 and ts burnt n don’t know how to replace it or buy a replace

I opened it, because i though it was the battery, and replaced it and didn’t work, then i unassembled it completely, and it even has the black thing that appears when something burns, and all the plastics around, like the one holding the battery is melted in the closer parts, and also the case plastic

⟐ Commented April 15, 2026 at 22:34 MST

DualShock 4: How to connect the traces?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:32:57 -0700

Do I scratch off mask right by the yellow circle(pic2 or pic3), then connect the with a wire correct? What size wire do you recommend? Also the trace in picture 4 should I cut it off of leave it?

⟐ Commented April 15, 2026 at 22:32 MST

DualSense Edge: Fn button stuck in pressed state

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:48:53 -0700

Pad just stuck in profile select mode due to always pressed right Fn button, I swapped the modules and even bought new ones, but it didn't help.

also i have this: 0300e0274c050000f20d000000016800,*,a:b0,b:b1,back:b4,dpdown:h0.4,dpleft:h0.8,dpright:h0.2,dpup:h0.1,guide:b5,leftshoulder:b9,leftstick:b7,lefttrigger:a4,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,rightshoulder:b10,rightstick:b8,righttrigger:a5,rightx:a2,righty:a3,start:b6,x:b2,y:b3,touchpad:b11,misc1:b12,paddle1:b16,paddle2:b15,paddle3:b14,paddle4:b13,crc:27e0,platform:macOS,

So the main question is how to understand what exactly the problem is next, and what to change, since this is definitely not a problem with the stick module.

⟐ Commented April 15, 2026 at 6:48 MST

DualShock 4: Is this a broken trace?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:13 -0700

In my endless quest to replace analog sticks I can't seem to catch a break now what it looks like to be a broken trace.....again

⟐ Commented April 13, 2026 at 0:00 MST

DualShock 4 CUH-ZTC1 Generation 2: My PS BUTTON DOESNT WORK

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:56:12 -0700

My PS BUTTON DOESNT WORK AND I CAN'T OPEN MY PS4

⟐ Answered April 12, 2026 at 12:56 MST

DualSense: Lights up but unresponsive

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:53:16 -0700

Hi. My sons PS5 controller has stopped working. When the USB is plugged in, the orange light slow blinks once and 2 white lights appear below the touchpad. The controller is totally unresponsive.

I’ve connected it to my laptop and was able to update the firmware but it hasn’t resolved the issue. I’ve also tried several USB leads.

I’ve tried the soft and hard resets but no change.

Does anyone have a fix for this?

⟐ Answered April 12, 2026 at 12:53 MST