Trying to FIX a Joblot of Faulty PS4 Controllers - PART 1 

Nice repair Vince. It seems you found a rare old beast; a genuine Ebay seller!

Andres: "How many Controllers do you fix?" My Mate VINCE: "Yes."

"when I use the analog stick here---"*controller disconnects itself*"--this is far from ideal." Ah yes, that's a good one

Thank you Vince....that pot metter has always been a problem with any game console controllers. I have had the same problem with other controllers and couldn't figure it out. Thanks again.

This video helped me repair one of my own controllers that started acting weirdly recently. Thank you Vince!

More like a faulty joblot of *5 1/2* ps4 dualshock controllers am I right?

So Glad I found this channel! Love the content bud!

Great video Vince. Nice to see the PS4 controller taking the limelight.

for the game controller testing window, you don't need to go into control panel. you can just search "controller" or "game controller" on the bottom and you should see an option called "set up USB controllers". that takes you to the same window. hope it helps :)

I don't know why, but lately I find restoration videos so interesting , entertaining and relaxing. Too bad I can't find nice joblots as this one in Italy.

As a DS4 repair enthusiast and a fan of the channel, I'd like to contribute a couple things I've learned doing exactly this. Peel the stickers off the bottom of the shell, they're useless and look crappy. The time to clean is when you have everything apart. All the silicon bits come out, all the buttons. You can alcohol/soap/water/whatever you want and scrub with a toothbrush. Don't get addicted! It all started when the left thumbstick rubber wouldn't even hold a silicon grip/cover and R2 was flaky in BF4. Now both primary controllers are quite modified and I have 2 more stock ones I got for cheap on eBay and repaired. Always seemed like the DS4 got knocked for various reliability issues but they are super easy and kinda fun to work on. Big kid legos

Hey Vince, at 9:50 you notice the contacts for the flex contact pad. Sony's been using this design for a very long time! I work at a retro game store and I have to say the pressure fit is the best variant. There's the ribbon cable variant and the soldered-on variant which is the worst. The problem with these things is they are extremely prone to oxidization. If you ever open up a model A PS2 Dualshock 2 controller you can usually see the contacts on the ribbon have gone almost completely black. The good news is they're salvageable! Simply scrape with a fiber glass pen, clean with alcohol and return it to its mounting position. This will fix most problems with these controllers. Since the flex contact sheet is such a thin material, it's prone to wear over time. This means the entire sheet will be compromised in time, but for now they are often easily fixed by cleaning off the contact points from their oxidization. Just be wary of H revisions. Those are a lost cause.

Yessss jus bought a faulty controller today! Was looking for part 2 and then realised this was only uploaded today! Hows that for luck!

Rapidly approaching half a million subs, well deserved.

Keep in mind that Vince's method of testing out the controllers is only recently available on Windows 10. For a good number of years on PS4 launch, the PC drivers for the controller had to be reverse-engineered because PS4 controllers, like PS3, were never meant to be used on Windows, but when Sony released the Playstation Now service, they included official PC drivers for Windows. There are a couple of better 3rd party applications on the web to do more in-depth testing (even Steam can read them better). Of course, for the tech dummy, this test method is perfectly fine.

Finallyy ive been waitin for a tryin to fix a faulty ps4 controller for sooo longg ❤

My Remote dropped and struggled t make a conection. Was only the Ribbon cable that partially pulled out from the charge port

I don know if anyone has mentioned this, but you can use your TITAN ONE on your laptop with your PS4 Controller to check all the inputs etc.

Love the videos vinc I'm a sub like the way u do the videos they help me learn so nice one man

Nice one Vince . A little tip ,if you have to desolder something use a little flux and reflow the solder joints with some leaded solder it brings the melting temp of that lead free stuff down and is a lot easier and clean the joint with the solder suction tool. I don't like the high temps you use with the hot air station and your iron ,no need to go 400 °c 50 °c above the melting point should be enough so 320 -350 °c accept if the joints are on a big ground plane.

I love this channel

Great video, I subbed 👍

****HINT**** Vince, When de-soldering components and you're using solder wick, it's really easy if you put some flux on the solder wick, "FLUX IS OUR FREIND".. ;) Dropped a like BTW..

remember the little pin to reset bluetooth (use a paperclip) I have taken more than 10 apart, most of the time because the controller sticks are terrible and I need to replace the sticks often.

The usb port replacement is a nice feature, nice job, PlayStation!

Another fix well done. You're getting quite good you know! Sony has been doing that pressure membrane fit all the way back since the PS1 days. They started with that on late models of the first Dual Shock controller. I always thought it would have been a poor solution as well, but hey, it's worked for them for decades at this point. :) I do find it a bit awkward to work with for repairs though, and if the membrane breaks for some reason, there's not much that can be done to fix it, as far as i know. But i'm thinking that it's probably a much cheaper solution than putting in a whole other PCB.

this controller's simplicity is beautiful.

For testing purposes you can always download DS4Windows. It's a simple little program that converts the DS4 into an "XBOX 360" controller. Doing so will allow it to be seen, as an "XBOX" controller, by the Game Controller Tester app you've used for XBOX One controllers. DS4Windows will also allow you to check the touch panel as it automatically acts as a mouse pad and you can just slide your finger around on it and the mouse cursor should move. If sellers haven't opened them up themselves, controllers can be some of the easiest "broken" eBay items to fix and people sell them on the cheap! I've all too often seen eBay listings of "broken" controllers (namely XBOX) going for as little as $20 USD where all that is "broken" is a drifting stick.

300th like I LOVE THIS SERIES

Hi Vince.. nice to see someone fix ps4 controller, there was a time i fixed lot of them so i wish to give you some advice about them...well ps4 controller is very tough smart device if there is something dirt, water damaged or short circuit, he will not turn on for hardware protection. Thats why 80% off my repairs required just cleaning!!!!.. seriously, before you will try remove something from board try clean everything before ( sticky or fail working analog) use contact cleaner first or IPA... doesn't charge??...check fuse on this small usb port pcb and check for any oxidation and clean them (many times hard to spot at first time)... short ciruit with heat exposure???..make sure there all ribbons wires connected in the right angle specially inside touchpad (behind glued plastic cover)...hope that will help in future repairs...🤓

Am I the only one watching Vince crush that USB port and thinking "dude, you're gonna break it!"

I just ordered some spares on ebay, they should be coming in a few days and if the parts I need are in them maybe I could send you the board I replace for you to trouble shoot around with. If all goes well, I'll circle the exact spot I cleaned with a sharpie, where the build up was, and write a detailed note of what I did already. I wouldn't mind footing the shipping bill if you were interested in looking at it. Maybe I'll look into sending it to your p.o. box and how much it will cost to ship it for shits and gigs while I wait for the parts. Keep it up, I love your vids and always Stay Well.

Great video half the usual length!

Take it easy Hercules... Hahaha! Lineman's pliers... Hey, just a little squeezy will do, you're not trying to crush it... Heh heh! I love what you do. Nice video...

I first wondered if a calibration on the sticks (on the first tab of controller properties on Windows) would have maybe fixed the incorrect axis, but seeing that changing the potenciometer have fixed it now I doubt about it, but then again, how then was the left analog trigger registering as moving up the left stick? (Sorry if I make grammatical mistakes, I'm from Spain :) ).

"Dealing with a small tip here" - My Mate VINCE 2019

9:45 The pressure fit ribbon cable absolutely cause problems over time. It eventually stops making a strong connection and the controller behaves erratically. Very poor design on Sony's part. Had to fix 2 controllers with the same issue.

My first option would have been to spray some contact cleaner into the potentiometer. Still, you did good.

Nice and easy fix :)

This is brilliant! Nice work with the controller! What equipment do you suggest on using with IPA for cleaning components? I've tried to find suitable stuff, but it seems like the ones I've tried don't work so well. Is that some specific brush you're using to clean the USB connector?

Grate Job, TOP GO ON Next One

the control sensors, the backlight components and the touchpad are defferent between the old and new controller. I tried to see if I could swap basic parts before and noticed differences.

In version one you have to push down the trigger buttons to take the back of the shell off on version two it will just come off easily I'm constantly taking my controllers apart and cleaning them

Quick question if you got time. I have a ps4 controller that won't charge or turn on. When I opened it I noticed some dried pop I'm assuming, I cleaned it with ipa and still no luck. The thing is there was no corrosion visible before or after I cleaned it just gunk and then none. It appears to be not getting power at all. I was wondering if you had any suggestions. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks in advance if you take the time to respond.

You should use DS4 Windows to use the controller via bluetooth and also check out the controller's gyroscope. You also might want to test the speaker and the headphone jack port. GTA V uses the controller's speaker when you're in a police chase inside a car.

Right OK. :) Nice comparison on the ohm values of the potentiometer's. I will criticize that you did not attempt to give the guts of the analog stick a good clean with alcohol before replacing. That would have been a nice service to see if it makes a difference. Also giving the carbon tracks a closeup comparison with the old one would be a better estimation of how worn or not it was.

Hey Vince. I'm enjoying these Vids but what happened to the remaining XB1 controllers? Also what rework station are you using and where do you buy your pcb components? All the best.

Your awesome mate ! I dropped my controller for the first time since I got my System and was freaking out about it getting damage I hope its okay I tested the bottons and they seem fine I just hope nothing inside got knocked about or lose or even damaged thats how hard I dropped it off the bed.

Get some car body filler on the burn, fill, sand and then spray black.

Great job

Great nice easy fix =D I was surprised to see the analog stick fix that issue, especially when the trigger seemed to be causing it to move upwards?!? I wonder if there was a particle of solder somewhere around the stick connections bridging something it shouldn't?

Bought my own joblot of DualShock 4 controllers fixed three of the five, but two of them are just dead and I don't know where to start debugging them, any tips? I've taken them fully apart and removed as much as the components as possible to narrow down the issue, right now it is just the board and the micro USB port (tested and worked on other controllers). I can read power it getting to the board, but I just don't know where to go from here. Nothing is getting hot, I've fully cleaned everything, no visible damage. I'm thinking of removing the bottom Ext + Headphone plugs, because this was where a bit of corrosion was before I cleaned it, but I'm not sure of that would be the best cause of action. What are some components I can check that are prone to fail?

That pressure connection cable is the same on DualShock 3 and it ruined so much fun back in the day until I figured out what it was

I bought a camo ds4 from a thrift store for $3. The shell was broken in half and right grip pried open, along with the left analog being stuck. I assume the owner broke the stick and trashed it in a rage. Replacement analogs are like a dollar from china, so I got that along with some replacement shoulder trigger and after carefully piecing the shell back together with epoxy and soldering on the new analog she worked beautifully. In case you were wondering the knockoff $1 analogs from china work just as good as the originals.

Test your six axis controls let me explain games like flower and the playroom require six axis control most ps4 controller faults are a faulty firmware update by the console and it messes with the six axis controls. Which is the tilt functionality of the controller. Also the boards are not interchangeable there are 2 different model ps4 controllers with two different board revisions in it one has the light bar across the touch pad one doesnt if you dont have a light bar on the touchpad it means you have a model 1 board with light bar model 2 board. And test six axis with games like flower or the playroom

If you did what i think you did. There is no need to desolder the side of the potentometer you can slip a thin tool down the side (look at the grooves on the green section where the disc pads are) There is also a gap where you can add a drop of lubricant. I can't recall the name of it. But that will work sometimes if the carbon track isn't worn out and there is just crud in there. Sorry if i am mistaken!

I fixed my own PS4 controller's left joystick problem. The problem was that there was a tiny dead zone with pressing up right. In most game it didn't bother me but when I played Gravity Rush 2 it was causing my character to stop running completely when I was hitting that zone. I took the controller apart, removed those green plastic things on the sides of the joystick and cleaned the little metal pieces inside with IPA. It work like new now. I could have also ended up breaking the joystick completely but I was at a point where I was considering buying a new controller if it didn't fix the problem.

The most common problem with Dual Shock 4 controllers is the micro USB port. They get loose and break really easy. Fortunately the port is on its own tiny PCB as you've seen and is very easy and cheap to replace. Just beware that there are many revisions of that board and they're all incompatible with each other so you have to match the USB board to the main board that it's designed for. Just Google the model number of the USB board (JDS-030 is one example) and you'll usually find them for a few pounds each. The batteries are also terrible but again they are cheap and easy to replace.

At 3.15 you said you used the Microsoft controller tester app thing to check the ps4 pads. Is it the same 1 as the xbox tester? If so that will come in handy as I've got some ps4 pads to fix and no ps4 to check them with.

Awesome a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star seller . Also sometimes the metal thingybob inside the usb bends & stops it from charging

The PS3 controllers had the same connection between the two boards. They sucked. The pad that kept them connected would get worn down and buttons would randomly press themselves. Luckily, you could just stick a piece of paper underneath the ribbon cable, and it would work if it’s done right. I’ve had to fix 2 of my own controllers that way.

You don’t need to unsolder anything to change them you can pop out the carbon tracks and wipers after you prise them apart slightly while they’re still soldered into the board if you’re careful I’ve done it a few times 👍🏻 lasting fix as well

Nice break with the straight forward fix. You needed a break before you pulled all your hair out

Hi, just as a heads up, that flex cable is the source of ghost inputs if it's not being pressed evenly on the other board. A common fix involves using an antistatic spacer to put more pressure on the contacts. Also, you should be able to test the analog sticks with the multimeter before desoldering them to understand if you are swapping in a bad one. Cheers.

Yea the built in windows tool dates back to the 90's for flight sticks. That's why it only has one x and y box and all other axis were displayed for things like a throttle, rudder, and et cetera.

Sorry, did I miss the end of the other controllers ? or is this a different machine? (I'm not really a gamer but love the vids )

I worked on repairing a job-lot of these. The main problem I encountered is there is more than one style of the conductive silicon pads that press on the contacts on the PCBs. The 3rd-party replacements are generally poor quality, with a clicky, non-tactile feel to them.

You can find a better tester/program that will work wireless as well (given your laptop has bluetooth) if you google "DS4Windows" this is the actual programs name, keep the great vids coming!!

When I connect the ps4 controller the Nintendo switch with the magic ns adapter the touchpad acts like capture button to take captures when in game

Can u help me ? I have a problem my xbox AND switch joicon are glitchin. If i dont toch the joistick it stil thinks i walk ingame

I have a version 2 controller i purchased for £5. exceptional condition but it does not charge, i manually charged the battery and connected via usb and disconnected and used through bluetooth but the light stay on when the controller is off, i have also replaced the charging port, Any Help?

do u know a website, where you can see, where continuity goes? because i have about 25 controllers with a faulty motherbobard here :/

little tip: use DS4windows. It's made for the dual shock controller, so everything will be properly labled

I know this is an older video but alot of times you can fix drift on the older controllers by cleaning the potentiometer tracks with some IPA and a q-tip, no soldering iron required, fixed a few like that but there is some such as a brand new week old controller that started drifting that I could not get that to work on so I replaced it.

What is the little laptop you use in all you're videos?

sir what windows application are you using for testing controllers?

The good thing about ps4 controllers is that they have easy fixes.

5:10 thanks for showing that, liked.

the ps3 controller is the same kind of contacts between boards and i had to put something to put more pressure on the contacts because the foam they used stopped pushing like it did. guess the ps4 ones might have the same problem sometime.

my old DS4 has a problem with the circle and PS buttons activating simultaneously when i press either. Checked the controller with control panel as seen here. And as i expected 2 inputs activate when i press the circle or PS button

i have a lot of dualshock they dont charge or turn on, jdm 50 and jdm 55

DS4 Windows you can connect a PS4 pad up via bluetooth and usb to windows.

What do you like working on more, The x-box controler or the ps4 controller.

20:26 what a nice burns on finger and thumb from touching soldering iron :D

cool video, my charge port is also not working so well. I might have to just squish it down like you did in the video so it will connect better, rather than buying a new controller at $60.

So good :) you make my day. We want to see more videos of the Xbox controllers :)

Some dielectric grease on the faulty analog sticks would fix them better than replacing the pots, notice how yours didn’t fully go all the way up after replacing.

For the guts yes you can purchase a case not sure on the touch panel though also for a couple of quid on eBay you can replace the top cover of that controller if you don't like the controller looking the way it does!

Yeah Not being able to go up on the PS4 controller's left stick is a common problem, happened to 2 controllers of mine

If you ever wanted to you can always get a 3rd party replacement controller shell off ebay for a little over $2, and that's including postage to the UK.

wouldn't you need to add the wiper to complete the potentiometer to make it work? (for testing purposes)

You can get a housing shell for £4.99, if you were selling it on.

Can anyone help me out I've got two PS4 controllers that don't charge what should I do would the touch pad affect charging? Please let me know. Thanks

The black tape on the USB port is just to stop light leakage, at the port. It has no structural purpose just esthetic.

I think the little plastic/silicone piece for the reset button is missing, it's a little grey cylinder that goes right next to the battery.

What testing software does he use?

See I don't have a soldering iron so I can't desolder the potentiometer I just unclip them and bend them back to clean them, not advised as repeated bendage will eventually break the solder joints but I work with what I have lol also the motors I just cut the wires off on them as the controller vibrating is annoying in my opinion so I never bother connecting them back up.

Not saying it's the issue, but the Xbox play and charge cable has the device select pin shorted to ground through a led, so it's different then a normal USB cable, I have no clue what the PS4 controller thinks of it.

Much better than those darn Xbox controllers.

For testing PS4/PS3 controller you can install SCPToolkit on your mini laptop, and it will install a Xbox 360 controller emulator (driver), and you will be able to use the Game Controller Tester App on Windows 10.