How to Fix Sticky/Stuck Buttons on an Xbox One Controller - No Soldering Required! 

When we have our greasy gaming sessions we like to play Apex Legends and Rocket League, just to name a few! What games do you like to play?

**easy fix* **dismantles controller to tiny bits*

“Have you ever had or just a really greasy gaming session” -yes

I cleaned the control, and now I have an Xbox, without a controller 👽💔

8:00 you didnt mention that there are springs on the triggers. These have tails and tounges, The tounges go between the grey rubber and black plastic housing or below them both 8:39 This small black wire should snap-on. Some defective connectors wont but 90% should, wiggle the black wire to make sure it doesnt come loose 9:00 Not important but the black and grey wire should pass over the board. You happen to do this right but not everyone does. Theres a minor chance to trap the wire and damage it so make sure its on top and goes around the side of the board, not the bottom (between the boards and motor) 9:25 here check your triggers springback, make sure they both have the same amount and hit them a decent few times. If one side is heavier you need to go back 10:00 Pointing out this bumper does not go on flush in the way that many would expect. I would recommend taking out the sync button and trying it. It can be installed after. THe bumper has two pointy parts that go into the controller. These go under the studded parts and MUST press the white buttons you can see at 9:55 To help line it up when looking from the top (silver Xbox button facing your chest) it should be micro usb port, brown board, You should SEE the grey button rubber pad, and then the bottom of the bumper pad! Make sure you can press both buttons and triggers multiple times! General Notes: screws should be snug tight not too far. These are self tapping. They should hold it together and be no tighter than whats needed to do that. Do not push the screwdriver down only rotate it. General practise for the less experienced is turn the screwdriver with two fingers and no more so you cant overtighten Thumbs up to save a controller!

I found this tutorial to be very helpful. I've read some people stating they were able to fix the sticky buttons or joystick without taking the controller apart by simply using some rubbing alcohol or WD40, but I assure you it won't get rid of some of the gunk you will find inside that could later loosen up and cause more issues down the line. I was a little hesitant to take my controller apart but I was able to clean out a lot of build up and the controller now looks brand new and works like new! A few comments I would add if you do this: - Be sure the buttons are lined up correctly. Like he said, they should fall back into place, but the first time I did this the buttons 'appeared' to slip in only to find they were put in sideways or upside down lol so pay attention to that before you begin screwing anything down. - Also, I went an extra step and cleaned out the d-pad by flipping the board over and removing the stamped spring - it was pretty dirty and worth cleaning. - And one particular thing I found helpful through trial and error, when you're placing the bumpers back on BE SURE TO HOLD DOWN BOTH TRIGGERS AS YOU DO. It should have been mentioned in the video, and if you don't it can be a real pain to get them to 'fall into place'. He does it himself in the video, but because he didn't mention it - and I'm following along on my controller - I missed it the first time around. - And lastly, I'd recommend shaking the controller a bit before screwing on the covers because when I first did this I heard a loose piece of debris after I screwed everything back on requiring me to take everything back apart to get it out - bc I'm OCD. Safe yourself some time and aggravation by testing the controller first before securing the final pieces/covers.

Easy fix, just completely disassemble the controller...

I had bought a used special edition Halo Xbox set and the buttons on the controller were sticking, including the D-pad. After watching this video, I was able to fix the issues; It works like new! Thank you so much for your help in this tutorial! :) I'm happy to be able to keep my things in working order.

Very helpful video, worked with my recent 2020 XBOX controller as well. Things seemed a bit different but same placement overall. Much appreciated!

Great help! Sticky buttons now fixed. Thanks 👍 😊

This has honestly helped me so much I really appreciate you doing this video very informative 😁

My controller is like new again, thank you so much! I appreciate you.

Dude you just saved my life. I did not wanna spent 60 bucks for a new joystick❤❤❤❤ you just gotta new subscriber

thanks a lot, this video helped me to fix the problem in my xbox controller.

Greath tutorial, Extremely helpful. Thanks dude 👍

Very informative and easy to follow. Had a sticky A button for a month or so now and unfortunately just taking off the plastic casings wasn't enough to get it clean, had to completely take apart my controller and get to the gunk/crap underneath, worked a charm and controller/A button is as good as new! Thanks.

THANK YOU for the video! I've had a sticky custom controller for two years, and it works like new!

This is what I'm looking for. Very helpful. Thank you brother.

Thank you so much, it costed me an arm and a leg finding a tutorial that really gets to the potentiometers whithout soldering. Now I understand why, it's just a pain the butt lol. I hope I can be able to do it, just cleaned my ps4 controllers and the fact they have flexibles able to be disconected from the board instead of soldered right into makes it so much easier than xbox. However, to my xbox controller's advantage, the potentiometers have lasted me for 5 years of constant use without any issue at all until a minor drift got into the right one, but in the other hand, buttons and triggers are still working perfectly. Thank you so much for this one.

I got to clean my whole controller inside out. It doesn't stick anymore and it works like new. Thank you!!

Thank you so much for this video! My controller is as good as new!

Thankyou!! This was a great tutorial. you helped me be the hero to my 12 yr old tonight!!

Thank you so much man really helped!

Omg first time I saw someone suggest nail polish remover and it freaking worked I’m so happy!! Thanks my guy! I love my forza controller didn’t want to say good bye. Also I can’t take my one apart because screws are hidden and I have rubber grip covering. The buttons are fine now within a minute. So good

Did this after not cleaning my controller for five years and wowwwwww It is awesome!

O jesus it actually work. I never disasemble anything so i was so scared to do it. Thanks alot!

my problem was solved thank you so much love the step by step guide 10/10

Spilt some sticky alcohol on my favourite controller and doing this has made it feel good as new. Thank you for the helpful video!

Thank you, my right bumper was acting crazy...all I needed to do is take off the shell and bumper shell and put it back on to better align it and no issues! Appreciate this vid!!

Thanks so much. Got a Xbox one x refurbished but I guess no one checked the controller. Anyways A button was very faulty. Easy guid and now I can even change the front plate. Had no idea how easy this actually is. Thanks!

Before disassembling the controller, trying using some alcohol based product onto the button whilst actuating the button. I found this to work nearly 100% of the time and so far I've never had any adverse outcomes from this method. Be sure the controller is disconnected and the battery's are removed and also be sure to give the controller adequate time to dry after, 10ish minutes should do the trick. Happy gaming!

That was super helpful! I was very intimidated to try it. But I found the instructions very easy to follow. It was a little challenging getting the first plastic covers off, but after that it was a breeze. Make sure you have a security torx driver. I missed that part on my first time watching. Thankfully, I did have the right driver in one of my precision screwdriver sets!

I decided to fix a sticky “Y” button on my XBOX One Controller (Model 1708) and figured I’d check out some videos to get an idea on what to expect. And after checking out a couple I liked yours the best, and even though I’ve been a PC Tech for over 20 years (way back before PNP and throw away parts - you actually had to have a soldiering iron in ya tool kit); what I’m getting at is I’m pretty experienced and funny your video saved me time as I was making a mistake you noted when putting the controller back together (The battery tabs). So I wanted to thank you and from one professional to another - great job! Also....you should tool kids with your name on them.** just a thought **

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I finally got my Xbox One controller clean again and the buttons feel like brand new

Followed Step-by-step. Pauses of course. Works like a charm now. Saved me $60 for a new controller

Thanks. Where did you get that cool front face?

Thank you so much! your guide is extremely good than ever mine is clean again :)

EXCELLENT . VERY HELPFUL

The rubber pad underneath my “A” button lost its bounce back when pressed. Cannibalized the rubber pad from an old Day One controller and it’s all good now. Thx for sharing

Thanks man great job👍👍👍👍

I literally did this last night. Didnt see this video. But my controller is like brand new. I spilt soda on it and the x button and the right shoulder button was sticky. I took it apart and cleaned the whole thing with rubbing alcohol let it dry reassembled it and the controller is flawless now

yup my a, b, x was sticking and this was perfect. thanks, tough knowing how to do this properly was vital.

Holly screws that was a lot I was watching while repairing :)

Dude!!!! Thanks so much for this video. I didn't have the best screwdrivers, but I made it work. Without this video, I would have had to shell out another $60+ for a new remote because I spilled hot chocolate on the controller and it got sticky buttons and after a while it stopped even working. I'm always yelling at my kids for getting the controller dirty and I'm the one who ruined it lol! But after your video I was able to clean it up like new, and the stickiness is GONE, plus it works now!! Thanks so so much for helping me feel like a super mom lol

To thanks bro ! Great video I did the same thing and got to clean my buttons lol they got stuck with some sprite

This video almost applied to the newest controller. There were a few small things that didn't really matter too much. Like the top bumper piece you'd have to unsnap it from both sides where it's secured, and there's two wires that have to be disconnected and reconnected, but other than that it's still pretty much applies today to the newest Xbox controllers.

Thanks! Did it while watching a video and fixed my controller

Work pretty well. The t8 didn't fit on the screw on my controller. I ended up using a small flat head to get them to come out. Otherwise everything was great about your video

My dad who's deaf used one small spray of wd40 without even taking the whole thing apart and now the button is like brand new

If your not good at paying attention that means dont take your controller apart nobody twisted your arm so dont blame this guy if you made the decision to do this because this guy did a nicely detailed video. PAY ATTENTION OR DONT TAKE YOUR SHIT APART!

Video helped thanks.

Hey there I have a dead xbox one controller , any idea which is the actual board that powers the controller , maybe I can salvage analogs and buttons for another broken controller I have

Brilliant guide, worked a treat!

curious as to why you used denatured instead of isopropyl... isopropyl would have been better because it cleans better and drys faster...denatured is ethanol

@3:19 you pop that little black wire off, what does it do? Mine broke away from the PCB rather than unsnapping but the controller seems to work fine.

@Gamenetics It may be different in Australia but to the people in the US (we have little to no regulation on toxic chemicals) denatured alcohol is not the same as rubbing alcohol. Denatured alcohol has methanol among other things which can blind you and cause delayed nervous system damage (think moonshine). Rubbing alcohol is safe for skin contact and is ethanol. I am sure the small amounts you were using and do use are fine, but you may want to try to avoid letting it absorb through your skin which it does well. I only know this because I refinish wood for a living and work with lots of chemicals including denatured alcohol which is in shellac. Good video though. Much appreciated.

Thanks!!! I fixed stick drift and the x button was nasty and now it feels good to play with now that I cleaned it up. I was scared I would mess things up but it works like new. I’m only 15 and don’t have much experience with these type of things but it was really easy but I also didn’t take the whole motherboard out I just lifted it up enough to take out the buttons

Very helpful. Thanks!

Thx so much

You should a updated on different controller models. Mine was alittle diffrent. Still fixed thanks to yoi saved my 350 doller custom controller

Thank u soo much

Nice. Saves alot of my time and money!

thank you sir

Have you ever tried to silence all the buttons and bumpers on the xbox controller? I'm looking for vids on how to do this. Not just the click when pressing in a button, but also the clack when releasing the button. I know its possible on some mechanical keyboards, but I really want to couch game with controller at night and not wake or annoy others.

fifa rage makes me press buttons a bit too hard. Broke the plastic pin on my left bumper so the button was unresponsive. Thanks to this video it's back and I don't have to fork out $50 for a new one

Just used this vid to do mine thank you buddy

Dude awesome vid i fixed my wifes controller as i was watching it thanks again man

Wow ... thank you .. great 👍 step by step ..

it was my first time so it was very confusing lol but it worked thx!

My Hyperkin Duke is also having a similar issue. The left trigger on mine keeps mapping even when I'm not touching the button at all. Is there anyone out there that knows a fix for this?

Can you share your tools? I have hard time to remove 2 screws at the end

I have a question... About use other instead Rubbing Alcohol??? Like Alcohol wipes fine and can do that?? What else are fine and good can use?? Or Must and just Rubbing Alcohol???

Thanks it help alot

What happens if the rubber part of the button is broken? Like my A button, the small circle on the rubber pad completely ripped off

*Subbed my g.*

For some reason the step at 9:00 isn't working for me. The wire just doesn't seem to want to connect. Any help?

I just got sum rubbing alcohol and seeped it into the buttons so if you dont want to go through this then that is a good fix aswell

This was an amazing video thank you just saved me £60 you the man

I need help my b button on my controller is stuck and it’s seems like it’s sinked, what do I do

Your video saved me from having to get a new controller🌞😃🌍

I did this and I am having issues with keeping the controller connected. I tried updating it. Any idea what I did wrong?

Where can I buy the screw drivers ?

thanks, I did the same steps and the problem solved

I’m having issues on an Xbox One Elite controller with my right bumper, is there anything different in the disassembly with the two?

I'm embarrassed how long this took me, but when compared to the cost of a new controller definitely come out way ahead! Thanks for the great tutorial!

I’ve done this and it has stopped my button from still sticking. Except now my controller keeps disconnecting every 5 minutes and struggles to reconnect. It can take about 3 minutes to reconnect… help?

How do you fix the battery so it can charge again

I cleaned the rubber part that goes behind the buttons with alcohol and now it no longer fits. Like it enlarged in size. I am going to let it sit for a few more hours and see if it goes back into shape. Total pain in the butt to reassemble like this.

Thanks so much!

What if it's not the button itself but what's under the button that's stuck?

I tried to unscrew but there was a tiny little piece in the middle of the screws that wouldn't let me screw

hey pro tip if you'r epublishing a video about "how to fix sticky/stuck buttons on your controller" you don't need the 1 minute in the beginning asking peopl eif they've ever had sticky buttons on their controller, that's why we're here watching your video edit: I have liked and subscribed to atone for my unnecessarily curt comment, ty for the video. I did panick slightly when the 3.5mm jack adapter fell out lol

I followed all the steps. Instead of using alcohol, I just used washing up liquid on the buttons and rubber membrane. It works perfectly now.

Can anybody help me i was cleaning my controller with assembling it screws outside i was cleaning it like fully while cleaning a liquid went to the homebutton tab then i slept at morning i woke up and when i clicked the home button start my home button went frozen af i cant even open i dont have screw diver😭😭😭

What if your A button is sunk in? Like, it sits lower than the other buttons?

Does this work for the elite controller

I am using a T8 screwdriver but it’s not entering the screws and I couldn’t unscrew the screws. Can anyone help me please? For further context, I’m using this screwdriver set: www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-8-in-1-Precision-Torx-Screwdriver-Set-70381H/302735271

My select/view button is not working at all home do I fix

I tried this over and over again. Something always goes wrong. This is like an impossible puzzle because a puzzle has pieces that are meant to be put on and taken off over and over again but this one has pieces that stick, get stuck, get mucky, don’t always attach the way it’s supposed to even though it’s the right piece, too many sensitive pieces that can break, too hard to take it back apart once you put it together and too hard to put it back together once it’s been taken apart.

Is this the same as an elite controller ..?