@jsz1998 Undiluted chemicals can cause the conductive material used on the controller boards to rub off. We recommend using the cleaning rinse and the anti static cloths to prevent any possible damage and ensure that your controller will last as long as possible. The cleaning rinse is available in our cleaning kit which you can use to maintain all of your games and controllers. Just click the link in the description.
WOW! You didn't clean the controller case before reassembling. That`s great advice. Simple RU-vidrs! Rubbing Alcohol, Q-Tips, Cotton Balls or Paper Towels Work Fine. Unless you just want to spend extra cash. Use Soft scrub with bleach in your sink with a toothbrush to clean the plastic casing. Use Windex on a clean rag to rub out the dirt on the wires and then come back with armorall This will keep the rubber coating from dry rotting as years pass by. You have to gently start each screw before you start running it in tightly. All NES, SNES & N64`s controllers and consoles tend to cross thread very easily. If the screw feels like it hard to turn then you have cross threaded it into the plastic which will cause the controller or console to be off. Make sure you do not tighten the screw too tight or it will cause a small indentation on the exposed face of the item you're restoring and that makes it look like crap. Make sure to use a breathing mask, safety glasses and rubber gloves within a well ventilated room if you plan to restore a lot of vintage video games. Your health means more than a item that has a lot or no value.
If the shell of your controller is dirty, yes, by all means clean it. Thanks for adding that. We start with the least harmful solution -- water. If that isn't enough, try rubbing alcohol. For the outside back of the shell and the edges, which can get very dirty and scratched up, we use a magic eraser moistened with rubbing alcohol. This will do a great job of removing grime and scratches, but it will also remove the sheen. Follow up with paper towel and more rubbing alcohol. If you lose the screws for the controller, we sell replacements: www.retro-video-game-repair.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?keyword=screw
I cleaned mine yesterday, all the buttons work fine but the controller creaks when pressing the buttons hard. Is this a common thing or shall I source a new controller?
Ive already done this (plus replaced the rubber contact pads) but Ive run into a problem with the shoulder buttons in that they dont respond because the bits of board under the button are loose and phisically moving when I press down on the buttons so theres no responce unless I press down so hard that they respond a bit because they've no where left to move .... any suggestions how to fix this?
@mugenmahboi88 Yes, our cleaning rinse is very similar to standard rubbing alcohol. You want to use something that has some solvent properties, but dries quickly like alcohol. I will say that for cleaning game contacts, alcohol will work on some items, but definitely not good enough for the tough to clean games. Our game cleaning paste works wonders for that.
My problem is that the circuit for the R trigger is screwed up. The button itself is fine, in fact the whole controller is almost brand new, but after a little while the R trigger is acting like it's stuck on even though it isn't. (ie. playing Mario World the screen would scroll right and make the sound without my say-so, and playing Super Metroid, Samus would perpetually be aiming diagonally.) Would I have to do something else to correct this?
@anassgame You can try to open the controller and clean the L button part by using our cleaning kit. It is available on our website. If you need assistance, You can send it for repair. We can fix it for you.
@JackSparrow424 we have a small phillips head available on our site that comes with the triwing screwdriver in a set (the triwing is used to open nintendo ds, and wii).
This tutorial helped me fix 2 SNES controllers, but I still have a little problem. The L and R buttons on both controllers sometimes don't respond. They always do when I lay my entire finger on the button, but when hit lightly or only on certain spots they won't respond. Anything I can do?
Check to see if the rubber pads under those buttons are torn on the side walls. Very common. We sell replacement rubber pad sets. www.retro-video-game-repair.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?keyword=rubber+pad
The R flipper on one of my controllers is broken so I bought a new set, but the new L button doesn't fit properly. Do you sell flippers that use the pin for the original SNES controllers?
I have a problem with assemling it again, when I try to screw in the top screws on the back, it becomes tight at the bumpers causing them to get stuck, loosening it again makes them functional, but it makes a small gap between the 2 plastic shells. I have one unopened and there's not such gap there. The gap on the disassembled controller still works as usual, but there's a gap there and the buttons aren't completely out which bothers me. Any tips? or something i've missed?
Not sure what is going on there without having it in hand to look at it. Sounds like either something is broken on your shells, maybe a tiny post that holds the shells apart the correct distance, or, maybe you just aren't re-assembling correctly. Look carefully at the insides of the shells on both controllers. There are tiny bits of plastic in there that do break easily, especially the screw posts.
Nintendo Repair Shop Inc. PS We are now Retro Video Game Repair (new name). Here is the link for the SNES rubber pad set: www.retro-video-game-repair.com/products/2297-snes-controller-rubber-pad-repair-parts/
Nintendo Repair Shop Inc. I found the issue, and it was pretty stupid of me. Because you turn it around, left and right bumpers becomes mirrored but I still thought front left and right on the turned side which made so that the bumpers didn't go down all the way and then cause the gap when I assembled it with the shells.
yeah, i use alcohol then compressed air, it works perfect. something he didn't cover was to take all the plastic pieces and throw them in some hot water for a few minutes then wipe them all down to clean them. that is another fix for a "sticky button" that he mentioned. but i guess he only wants to promote his cleaning kit and thats cool, we all gotta make extra money some how.
Ok I'm not sure if this is normal but on my SNES controller the start button gives me so much trouble. I have to press it really hard in order to get it to work and it really hurts my thumb to do so. Is this normal? If not how can I fix this.
You might already know by now since you posted it a month ago. But it could be dirt on the motherboard. Open it up it's easy and clean the motherboard. You'd be amazed how much dirt gets in there
@yoshishot16 Glad to hear it! Yeah, this video can help you if your buttons are sticky at all, or sometimes even if they aren't responding well at all. Sometimes you will actually need to replace the rubber buttons on the inside of the controller (if they have broken down over the years). If that is the case, we have replacements for you. Of course, we also have the parts described in this kit on our site. Just search for nintendo repair shop on google. Thanks!
@nintendorepair both times that i've done this, it's broken the R button off where the shoulder button (actual part you press) joins the pivot thing (they're normally one piece but it snapped). i opened the thing totally gently, too. have you heard of this problem and do you know where to get new buttons? i'm scared to clean any more controllers now since it happened twice
The snes controller are one of the toughest controller in the history of video games i used these for 20 years before they break then i open them and changed the rubber and wiped the board ok again afte
At 1:27, where u can see the connections for the keypad, mines doesn't look as black as yours. And i have to press really hard on the buttons for it to work. Would getting new pads fix this or would i need a new circuit? Thanks.
@Niggotiator i ended up fixing mine with krazy glue just fine, but that's pretty weird that it happened to both of us and both times the "R" button! thanks though
Ended up using 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and cotton rounds, with having to clean contacts and case as well. I know alcohol is abrasive and all, but trust me with the condition my controller was in, it needed it.
@mugenmahboi88 No, the little rubber button pads on the underside of the buttons that are visible from the outside of the controller. Those button pads wear out over time and start to crack and fall apart. As long as you can bend them without seeing cracks in the rubber, you are ok.
@luigikid13 Ah, yes fortunately this is exactly what you need to do. There is always a chance that your motherboard is cracked or damaged itself in some way, but chances are you simply need to clean the contacts, and/or replace some of the rubber buttons (inside the controller) if they are rotting away.
@qbertsoul Eh, you are likely going to cause more issues than you would fix with super glue. I will look into getting some replacement pads on our site.
@mugenmahboi88 Sure. there is nothing wrong with using it on specific contacts. You should also check to see that the rubber buttons are not deteriorating.
@mattisdanger You can try to replace the buttons or try to clean the controller. We can also repair it. You can visit our website for more information.
@LeGamerFru And we are glad to hear that folks still enjoy the Super Nintendo. It is actually the only system I keep at my home. I still love me some Chrono Trigger.
I have two controllers that the l and r don't work I've cleaned them well and still won't work I also have a controller that won't work at all... Any tips?
Check the rubber pads under the L and R buttons, they may need replacing. www.retro-video-game-repair.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?keyword=rubber+pad On the controller that won't work at all after cleaning contacts, you can try replacing the cord in case that is damaged. Some circuit boards are just dead.
my start and select button was not working a while ago, so i cleaned them and the rubber with water only... it worked out perfectly... i think that if your cleaning kit contains organic compounds, like alcohol, it could damage the rubber... but since you are a specialist, i guess it is ok:)
@trucksoner This happened to both of controllers' R shoulder buttons. I bought a small bottle of krazy glue with the tiny brush applicator and put it little dab on one of the pieces. I then simply joined them at the crack and let it sit for a few minutes. Both buttons broke in such a way that both pieces line up perfectly, so that they may be fixed together with a delicate application of a powerful glue (superglue, krazy glue). Make sure to buy the container with the small brush applicator.
@nintendorepair now I know nintendo says use windex or simple green for cleaning the housings of the 3DS do you think it will work just as well on nes snes n64 controllers and systems?
I recently bought a snes controller at a yard sale. Didnt work very well, start and x didnt work at all, even after cleaning the motherboard, there is further damage to the motherboard that i am not able to pinpoint at this time but would be open to any suggestions on repair, i paid less than a dollar for it so it isnt a big deal if i cant repair it.
My controller was nice and sturdy before cleaning, now it has this squeaky sound when i hold it tightly or slight twist it. Any idea of whats the issue?
Thanks for this. My original controller was pretty nasty. I also remembered that time I broke the r bumper out of frustration. I soaked mine in 91% rubbing alcohol and it cleaned nicely and buttons no longer stick!!!
great video. I like to take out the actual directional button and clean that too, grime tends to get in there more than the round buttons. doesn't affect performance but its gross to think about how many peoples skin cells are inside those nooks.
Thanks a lot! Mine was dirtier than I could've imagined. I've scrubbed the plastics with soap and a toothbrush (after taking it apart) and will let it dry over the night. I also took a risk and cleaned the Select 'n Start rubber because it was... horrifyingly dirty. I hope there's nothing electrical going on with those black things going into the rubber. Anyhow, scrubbing it with a toothbrush worked very well and now it looks like new! (I didn't own it when it was new... but you get the idea)
That shouldn't be an issue for the plastic parts. Cleaning the rubber buttons will help prevent further deposit build up. However if it is unresponsive, it is due to build up on the electrical contacts on the controller board itself. For this, soap and water would be a bad idea. We offer the kit as an easy solution that we use in our own shop.
hey great tutorial! but one question, i recently bought a used snes controller and the buttons were fine but the d pad was really stiff and hard to move. like you have to press very hard just to move a direction, its really annoying. any suggestion besides cleaning it? maybe i need new pieces? thanks
It could be that dirt and grime has built up in the joints of the button. I would open it up and take a look. If the rubber hasn't broken down you can fix a lot of stuff with just a simple cleaning.
@withpeas44please Thanks! If you like it, be sure to tag it as so (thumbs up), which will help increase the chance that others see it. We have a ton of other good videos. Be sure to check out our channel page, or visit our website for more guides and videos.
Good tutorial. I bought some SNES controllers, and when they arrived, they were missing the rubber-like Start/Select buttons. I also have a controller whose buttons don't work, but it has the Start/Select buttons; is there a way to take the one controller's Start/Select buttons and put them on the controllers that need those buttons?
If they are the same model controller, yes, you can swap out the rubber pads. Or, we sell replacement rubber pad sets for SNES and NES controllers. www.retro-video-game-repair.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?keyword=rubber+pad
Nintendo Repair Shop Inc. Awesome, thanks! I just took the start/select buttons pad out of a non-100% functional controller and put it into the controller that was only missing that pad, and now that refurbished controller works! That was my first successful Nintendo repair project.
