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Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement

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  1. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Before you begin: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Before you begin: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Before you begin: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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) Main Board Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the back cover screws: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
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    TR6 Torx Security Screwdriver
    $5.99
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  3. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the back cover: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the back cover: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the back cover.

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  4. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the battery: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the battery: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the battery: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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) Main Board Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket screws: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket screws: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • During the rest of your repair, don't forcefully push the controller down onto your work surface—you may damage the thumbsticks and trackpads.

    • 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) Main Board Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the mounting bracket: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
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  7. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Disconnect the rumble motors: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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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  8. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Repeat to disconnect the other rumble motor.

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  9. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Disconnect the interconnect cable: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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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  10. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Use tweezers to grip the cable by its plastic pull tab and slide it out of the socket.

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  11. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the main board screws: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the main board screws: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the main board screws: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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 thumbsticks aren't pressed against your work surface—pressure on the thumbsticks can cause improper alignment and seating.

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  12. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the main board: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the main board: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Remove the main board: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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 thumbsticks 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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  13. Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Rubber piece information: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Rubber piece information: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Steam Controller (2nd Gen, 2026) Main Board Replacement, Rubber piece information: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • 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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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.

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